Will delaying college for 3-4 years have negative affect on academic performance?

Parent Cafe
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<h2>Hi, I been browsing CC for a couple weeks and assumed this would be the best place to post this.</h2>

<p>I really would love to attend college now, but the military seems like the best option as a tool to get my education.</p>

<p>My parents have little money, but above all, my personality needs this military experience. I’m shy, overly-sensitive, mildly depressed, have had social anxiety attacks, and haven’t quite learned the aggressiveness and boldness it takes to succeed.</p>

<p>I graduated last spring but decided for a year off to see how things progressed, and I just became a state resident so tuition would have been 3 times a much this year.</p>

<p>During the summer, my family and I looked into the option of joining the military, and we were all pleased at the opportunity. I applied to colleges nonetheless, and was accepted to the ones on top of my list. I won’t know the financial aid award package, but I doubt it’ll be much. (My dad makes $80k/year, but is spending $30k/year on transportation and supporting two households [this doesn’t get considered in FAFSA] – long story)</p>

<p>Anyway, fact is there’s a really good chance I’m joining the Air Force and shipping out this spring. By joining, my education will be delayed 2-3 years, if not 4.</p>

<p>My question is, will my learning potential decrease in the next 2-4 years? </p>

<p>I’ll be almost 22 before beginning college.</p>

<p>I know adults continue to learn throughout their lifetimes, but I’m talking about the ability to learn immense amounts of little details for tests, and those other academic related things.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

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<p>It strikes me as conterintuitive that someone like you would want to enlist in the first place. The military wants jocks with too much testosterone in their systems and just enough gray matter to figure out how to read a map and not get lost. I am not saying that these are the only people who enlist, but those who don't satisfy the abovementioned requirements would be better off enrolling at a military academy or not going into the military in the first place. Unless, of course, you are THAT desperate for tuition money.</p>

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<p>My husband is a former military office. I can assure you that Alexander is off target - being in today's military - especially the Air Force - requires more than "enough gray matter to figure out how to read a map and not get lost." You will find plenty of opportunity for learning in the Air Force. While the military is definitely not for everyone, it can be a stimulating challenge. I expect that my response will receive many flames from people who are against the current situation in Iraq -- and certainly, serving in an active combat zone is part of the risk you agree to take when you sign up. However, not being able to deal with the academic challenges of college afterwards should not be considered part of the risk of joining the military. Best of luck to you and thank you for serving your country.</p>

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<p>I think your time in the Air Force will be part of your learning experience. You aren't really "delaying" your learning...you are just going to learn in the Air Force instead of college for right now. My husband was an "older" college student (near 30). He found that he was more serious and more conscientious than the undergrad students right out of high school who he knew. Also, he really knew what he wanted to study, and that made him more focused. Good luck to you...and I echo Carolyn, thank you for serving our country.</p>

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<p>Being the son of a career Air Force man, and having been born and raised on Air Force bases, I naturally view the military as an honorable calling. It certainly lifted my then teenage father out the mire of the Great Depression and provided him with a career.</p>

<p>And I don't think you will be in any way too old at age 22 to undertake college study. You certainly won't have lost any of the mental acuity needed to learn stuff and study for tests. That begins in your 50s, not your 20s.</p>

<p>But, as a general trend, the longer one stays out of school the harder it is to get back in. Life just tends to intervene: You meet a girl when you are in the Air Force. You get married, and next thing you know you are 34 years old and have three kids that need an employed father, and you never managed to go to college. I've seen many examples of this.</p>

<p>So if the military is right for you, by all means go for it. But if you really want to go to college too, you are going to have to remain very disciplined and very focused on your goal.</p>

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<p>If anything, my experience is that slightly older students do better--they're more mature and motivated, more likely to realize how important a college education is, less clueless about the world around them, etc. Socially, it may be a little harder for you to fit in, but there will be other students like you, and an age difference of 3-4 years is not a big deal. So don't worry about this part, and good luck!</p>

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<p>collegeprof: * If anything, my experience is that slightly older students do better--they're more mature and motivated, more likely to realize how important a college education is, less clueless about the world around them, etc.*</p>

<p>I definitely agree with collegeprof on the above.</p>

<p>coureur: * But, as a general trend, the longer one stays out of school the harder it is to get back in. Life just tends to intervene: You meet a girl when you are in the Air Force. You get married, and next thing you know you are 34 years old and have three kids that need an employed father, and you never managed to go to college. I've seen many examples of this.*</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I also agree with coureur that this can happen too.</p>

<p>* So if the military is right for you, by all means go for it. But if you really want to go to college too, you are going to have to remain very disciplined and very focused on your goal.*</p>

<p>Lots of GI-bill veterans with families managed to keep that discipline and focus on their goals after WW II, so it can be done. </p>

<p>And, in this day and age of technology, credit by examination, and distance-learning, you may find it easier than ever to get a head start on earning college credits while you are still on active duty. Check out CLEPs, DANTEs, and any local colleges or cc's near the bases where you end up getting stationed. The military will often be very willing to support your efforts to pick up these credits along the way. That way you'll be able to "hit the ground running" educationally as soon as you finish your term of service.</p>

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<p>Like others, I also think serving in the military is a noble thing. I am concerned, though, that the OP sees it as an antidote to the problems described above. Perhaps others will have a different take, but I would think being in the military would require aggressiveness and boldness. Academia allows people to think and re-think. But military action requires quick reflexes. Am I wrong?</p>

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<p>a good friend of my daughters went into the Marines.
This was a huge shock, lets just say that while very very bright, this boy did not take orders well.
He loved the Marines, and feels that he is making a real difference.
Not personally what I would advise most kids though, particulary one that has difficulties apart from academics.
I would look into programs like Americorps or Gap Year programs ( leapnow.org) before joining the service.</p>

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<p>military folk (especially air force) are NOT stupid jocks. if you've got the determination and the desire, service in the military will make you tough and smart. i say do it!</p>

<p>however, you must be okay with going to war, taking orders, and having minimal freedom (at times). definitely don't join the military just for the money.</p>

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<p>* Like others, I also think serving in the military is a noble thing. I am concerned, though, that the OP sees it as an antidote to the problems described above. Perhaps others will have a different take, but I would think being in the military would require aggressiveness and boldness. *</p>

<p>Those thoughts of Marite's flashed through my mind too. But then I thought of my own brother, who grew up and matured and developed a lot of confidence during his years of military service. (He entered the Army several decades ago, right after the USSR invaded Afghanistan. He stayed in for 20 years.) </p>

<p>I remember our family worrying a lot about him when he went in. He wound up in the 82nd Airborne, traveling all around the world, learning Italian so well during his tour of duty in Italy that he was mistaken for a native, and even "winning the Nobel Peace Prize," according to my mom. (He served in the UN Peacekeeping Forces in the Sinai Peninsula, and those forces were indeed awarded a Nobel Prize in 1998. So my mom likes to call him, "My son, the Nobel peace laureate.")</p>

<p>The Army gave him a lot of transferrable "people skills" that have served him well in his subsequent civilian life. He's a great husband and father who has worked as a human resources manager and as a high school teacher since he retired from the service. He's also finished his college degree. He'd like to be a park ranger some day--I think he'd be great at that and hope he gets the chance. (He's still in his early 40s.)</p>

<p>* Academia allows people to think and re-think. But military action requires quick reflexes. Am I wrong? * </p>

<p>You're right that military action often doesn't give much time for extended contemplation. Quick judgment is sometimes necessary. But I think the armed forces would be better off if we had more thinkers in them. There are times when thinking and rethinking are indeed called for and instantaneous blind obedience to orders is not appropriate. Abu Ghirab comes to mind.</p>

<p>I'm glad my brother is home safe now and that he's not in Iraq.</p>

<p>But I also think that, as long as we need an army, it's a good thing for it to include thoughtful caring young people who value education as well as the opportunity to serve their country, and not just members of an underclass who have no good alternatives.</p>

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<p>Don't get me started on the moron who was dogging people in the military, saying we are all idiots. There is the door jackass. Anyways back to topic, the Air Force is an awesome option. I recommend you look into the Air National Guard, they have 100% tuition assisstance for all state schools which would allow you to go to school for free, and the amount of money you get for the GI Bill is ridiculous. I went this route and couldn't be happier.</p>

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<p>chris123, there are two separate but related issues here. First, should you join the Air Force (or any branch of the military)? Second, is 22 too late to go to college? </p>

<p>Taking the latter first, No! 22 is not too late. There are many, many college students in their 20's or even 30's that succeed wonderfully and approach learning with a maturity and appreciation far beyond that of their teenage classmates. My husband, for one, just wasn't ready until he was in his mid-20's; he went on to get a masters and really, truly loved his college experience.</p>

<p>The question that only you can answer is whether or not the armed forces are for you. Your comment, "my personality needs this military experience." sounds a little odd to me. Who says? Your "personality", your family, the airforce recruiter? I'm extremely pro-military (and agree that the airforce would benefit from having a thoughtful enlistee like you) but would worry that your expectation that the military could provide a personality jolt is not realistic.</p>

<p>If you're not 100% sure, you might want to consider the reserves. You could then get military experience plus attend college at the same time.</p>

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<p>Wow guys!! Thank you so much, I only expected like 3-4 replies, lol. These posts are great; they’ll surly influence my final decision.</p>

<p>Let me reply back to you guys…</p>

<p>

I agree Alexander was off and thank you for your wisdom :)</p>

<p>

Wow great advice! Thanks. I can relate to your advice on how being an older college student will allow for a more focused, efficient undergrad experience – I’m still undecided from 2-3 majors. Thanks again!</p>

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Good point on having to have the discipline to finish school! Thanks!</p>

<p>

You guys are too intelligent!! Wow, thanks!</p>

<p>

Yes, if I join I’ll definitely get a head start. I’m aiming for 30-45 college credits in 4-5 years of active duty (If I end up joining). Tough goal, but I’ll work hard. And great point on learning people skills, that’ll be one of my main goals in the military. Thanks!</p>

<p>

Thanks! A noble thing it is indeed.</p>

<p>

Excellent point!! I agree 100%</p>

<p>

thanks!! I'll take a look at the Guard.</p>

<p>

Excellent point! You’re right, military isn’t some kind of psychological rehab, if you will, but my theory is that with time in the military, I’ll gradually grow out this shy, introverted stage in my life by gaining confidence, constant exercise, and socializing/making friends with people in my base. Thanks again!</p>

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<p>I was one who did military first. You do not lose anything mentally; in fact, you gain. Most military veterans do well in college, and most of those will tell you they may not have done well right of high school. Veterans also get a number of advantages if you use the GI Bill and they have a preference for admission to most public universities (state laws mandate it); moreover, most colleges, even if not required to give preference, view a veteran as a highly desirable candidate. Your description of yourself and possible reasons for military easily describes a huge number of people who enlist. And contrary to a suggestion above, the military does not want dumb people. Most of the things the military does today requires putting recruits through training that requires mental acuity and makes freshman year in college look like grammar school.</p>

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<p>I don't know a lot about how it works but would an ROTC program meet your needs? You would be getting your college education now, along with the military training. I looked at Virginia Tech's website regarding ROTC: "Virginia Tech Army ROTC offers several different scholarship types to fit your needs. Each scholarship covers: Tuition, Required Fees, $600 per year for Textbooks and a monthly stipend of up to $400"</p>

<p>Maybe this would be an option for you. Best wishes!</p>

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<p>My father (high school drop out) attended college as a 38 year old after retiring from the military. The first semester is always rough for anyone who hasn't been in a school setting for a while. But after that, he did just fine and went on to finish his Ph.D. So it can be done.</p>

<p>But I also have to agree with Coureur. If finishing college is a person's goal, then the best time to start is within a year after high school graduation. You don't have responsibilities like a full-time job, wife, kids--your parents are more likely to be paying (or at least helping out). </p>

<p>I had a friend who told me that it took her 3 years to get the first 3 years of her college education done--and then 20 years to get the last year done! She married and started a family after her junior year. Life happens. . .</p>