Hey everyone. I’m not fully sure if this is the right forum to post this in, so hopefully it’s ok - or will find it’s way to the correct place. But, I’m 29-years-old, and am actually about to restart my college education (today, as a matter of fact!). I’m going part-time (two days a week) and work full time. I was just curious if there is anyone here that has similar stories and would like to share how their experience went. Was going back to school easier or harder with other things going on, etc.? I look forward to see the replies… if any.
Where was this post moved to? Just wondering. Thanks.
A bunch of us have been there, my friend. Send me a private message if you want to talk about it in more detail.
Good luck!
Thanks for the reply. I’m actually surprised that someone found this. I almost started to get the feeling that I may be “too old” for the website. Maybe it’s just because I’m new? Anyway, I would like to hear about your experience more, but I guess I need 15 posts before I can send/accept private messages. I guess I should start posting in some other forums!
So likewise not sure if this is the right forum. I am preparing my personal statement for universities and am wondering just how personal I should get. I come from a very unstable past of substance abuse and incarceration both personally and within my family. Are there certain things I should be cryptic about or should I just put it all out there? Thoughts…
29? You are a spring chicken. You should do well in your classes. I returned to school after a 20+ year hiatus in my 40’s. I just turned 46 this month. I was surprised that I had so many opportunities (scholarships) present themselves to me. When I first enrolled I thought I’d be playing second fiddle to the recent HS graduates, your typical salutatorians, valedictorians etc. That is not the situation at all. I started out in a small community college & took Honors classes. I also started to work as a tutor (history) and joined several honors based organizations.
When I got close to earning my associates degree I started to seriously consider going to a state flagship university. I had previously attended UTPA and hated it. That was a strong motivator to apply elsewhere. I had UT Austin in mind along with Baylor, Rice, SMU, Southwestern & Texas A&M. One of my professors strongly recommended I apply to Texas Tech University, which I had never even considered. I did apply & they immediately offered me a transfer scholarship that covered all my tuition. I didn’t even bother applying elsewhere after that. I’m in my 1st semester here & I love it. I’m in the Honors College & I’m working as a tutor, once again in history. Two years ago there is no way I could have seen myself here. Before the last 4 years, I NEVER thought I was ever returning to school, much less be close to finishing.
I would strongly encourage you to go for it!!! At 29 you still have much of your life ahead of you. Heck, you still have all your thirties!!
Another thing, one of my professors here, he’s a TA actually was a non-traditional student as well. He’s working on his history PhD. He was in the military & then retired. He told me returned to school at 53 years of age. I was complaining about finishing my PhD at 53 & he laughed at that thought. He stated that when he returned to major in history he had a degree in the wrong field & had to earn a whole other degree (he had a BS & needed a BA?!) so he started virtually from scratch. He told me not to despise the wisdom that should come through age.
Wishing you all the VERY best!
@academanom Ultimately a school is admitting the you of the present, not the you of your past. You can address your past struggles but the emphasis should be on the person you have become who is eager and ready to learn and thrive.
You don’t have to address any of the past at all unless the school requires you to notify them. If, however, they require you to advise them of past arrests/convictions/etc. it would be wise to address those in your essay and make it clear that they were part of your journey but they are not on the path you are walking today.
@franko5150 Your TA sounds like an awesome guy. What an inspiration!
“Ultimately a school is admitting the you of the present, not the you of your past.” - Excellent point!!! I had to FIGHT to get myself accepted in the Honors College here. My “new” GPA, that is, the one since I started school up again was 3.90. But I had to submit ALL my transcripts, so I submitted transcripts from 1989 & 1990. My scores were like in the 2.9 range. Naturally it brought my GPA down to something like 3.37 or something like that. THey denied me because I was below the required GPA. I wrote them back & sold myself to them letting them that I was not the same person from back when Bush 1 was the president. I’m a totally different person. They decided to let me in & I haven’t looked back since.
I went back to college at age 53. It’s my third semester back and I am loving it. The primary reason for me going back is that little check box on the job application which asks, “Do you have a Masters degree?”
I am nervous plan to return back to college after a five year break for nursing. Starting anatomy now I am 28 year’s old. Feel like I am going to be out of place with my age. Hoping can balance work out with school.
I’m so glad we have similar stories. I am also looking into going back to school for nursing. When I was in school before I was on the basketball team and our coaches weren’t good at helping us excel in our studies for lack of better words. Now I just want to start fresh. I’m concerned on my transcripts from before. I attended a junior college, a vocational school that is no longer a school, and a school through a Navy program. I haven’t the slightest clue on where to begin this journey. Do I retake the SAT/ACT? Do I redo all general studies? Please help.
Hi, It is a wonderful experience I guess.My Uncle was Studying BE in Part time.He used to tell me a lot about Chit chats and Funny things happened in his Class.
Know what? My Cousin was undergoing GRE Test Preparation.And the thing is he 28 years old guy who was working since 10 years.Definitely One could feel Happy and Excited but I feel it is difficult to mingle with young people,isn’t It?
Yeah, the kids are difficult. Not as bad as some professors, though. Being non-trad puts us in a pickle. If a professor doesn’t like you, they can dangle coursework and grades over the kids’ heads and they’ll do whatever the professor wants. I know this personally, after I had to leave a class and a couple of my friends from that class told me what was going on. Gets you to wonder if the professor in question needs to grow up or what.
Greetings all. I just wanted to extend myself out there to my fellow non-traditional students. I am 38, yes I said it,
38, and I am currently in my senior year as a Legal Studies major at UC Berkeley. I would like to offer any community college transfer students, and non-traditional students as a whole, any help I can with gaining admissions to UC Berkeley. I have worked with a program that assists in personal statement crafting, editing, writing, and brainstorming, thus I feel I can be of service in that regard as well 
I would be happy to discuss with anyone, anything they would like to talk about with regards to UC Berkeley. Message me here, and I will give you my email, and we’ll take it from there.
Much love for my non-traditionals!!! Go gettem’ !
@IAM2MUCH4U This thread is 4 years old and not about Berkeley. You are going to be better off starting a new thread extending that offer. Thanks for your willingness to help other non-trads!