So I am now in my 4th year of school. I work full time as well, and for the majority of the time I have been in school, I have been going part time. Believe it or not I am just a Sophomore, after this fall semester I will be a Junior. My General Ed. is just about done, except for calculus. There was a lot of mistakes made on my end which I think has set me back. for example i have changed my major 4 times. Thus gave me a different set of prerequisites to do every time I changed it. Also I missed a semester as well, so i know I wasn’t consistent with the class load, and going every semester. Also I took classes that didn’t even go towards my degree due to my lack of English and math skills. For example i had to take English 990, math 920, 950, 990 psychology 1010, and nutrition 1010. Keep in mind I am a high school drop out, and eventually graduated with my GED. This is the reason I had such low test scores. So knowing all this I know that a lot has to do with my personal development/growth in school. I have learned a ■■■■■■■■. But am now facing some discouragement looking back in hindsight, because I know if i just would of made some sacrifices, gone to school full time, work part time or don’t work at all. I would of been graduated by now or really really close. Now i just plan to go HAM, and i have a full load this semester (13 credits), still going to work full time. At this rate I will finish by spring 2020. I’m tired of going part time, and moving like a turtle. Im 27 years old, by the time I graduate I will be 29 going on 30. I am majoring in software engineering. I am married, me and my wife have own a house, so there is absolutely no way now I can switch to working part time. I currently work as an engineering technician in the Circuit Board industry. I plan to continue going to school full time, and I know my personal life will suffer as far as social life goes, and free time. But I am just over with the slow progress I have made in school. I feel like this was just a big rant, but I am struggling right now, any advice or suggestions would be great! TIA
Kudos for your perseverance!! You are still young! See how the semester goes with working full time and carrying this course load. You can always drop a class. Even if it takes a little longer to graduate, you don’t want to set yourself up for failing a course because you’ve burned out. FWIW, I’m super impressed! It takes a lot of motivation and drive to be working full time and continuing your education.
Ditto! well done you for going from HS dropout to somebody who has now finished the least interesting part of college (gen eds), done almost all the filling-in work left over from HS, and chosen a clear path. You are climbing a steep hill, with a heavy pack, and it is simply hard- but you are getting there. Lots of 20-somethings are still getting their feet under them- but you already have a partner, a house and a job- plus you will soon have that degree.
Upper level classes tend to be more interesting, and they will relate more to what you want to do. Take a deep breath and keep climbing
Life isn’t a race. You have worked hard and have a lot to show for it. Its not helpful to look back and focus on regrets. It sounds like you are at the midway point of completing a Bachelors degree which is often a time, even among the right after high school 4 years of college crowd, feel like the process is dragging. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished, take things one semester at a time. You’ll get there.
For what it’s worth, my father went to college at night on and off throughout my childhood. He graduated with his BA the year before I graduated from high school.
There have always been “non-traditional” (something other than a student coming straight out of high school and spending the next 4 or so years getting a bachelor’s degree), but it really seems like there are even more of them and greater acceptance and accommodation for them. So,
stop looking back - we all have regrets, but you cannot change what you did, just what you do.
understand that you have responsibilities that the average college student does not - take care of what will keep a roof over your head and your relationships moving in a positive direction.
keep your eyes on the prize, no matter how long it takes you - you WILL achieve it if you want it badly enough.
Good employers have more respect for those who had to work through schooling than you realize. It’s easy to give up. Don’t do that if you feel it will mean better opportunities for you down the road.
Just want to thank you all for your replies.Its definitely given me a different perspective, and it’s something that I needed heading into this new semester starting next week. Thank you all!
I just wanted to say, I have been in college for 7 years on and off and just recently achieved my Associates Degree. I did go part time when I transferred to a community college until I could handle full time. Going to “real college” Spring semester to complete my Bachelors and then Masters. I am younger than you but still feel down on myself when I realize that most of people I went to highschool with and those younger than me have completed their degrees and some are even working in their desired fields.
But, as everyone else has said too, life isn’t a race. Everyone has their own journey, path, etc…the important thing is not to quit! The satisfaction and possibilities with the completion of the degree will be worth it. It’s never too late!
I also see a lot of older people (late 20’s-40’s) at my community college who, for the most part, came back to school because they were not satisfied with the type of degree they already had. Or they had done military so they were using their GI bill. Or some had to drop out to raise children but now are able to work on their degree again. Everyone is different.
