Well it is finally over

[NCSunshine]

Today I graduated from college with an Associates Degree.  I have never been so happy for something to be over with in all my life.  But now I feel let down, sort of blue.  Must be the crazies or something.  I will miss the ladies I had so many classes with.  Plus, the instructors I had were great and I will miss them too.  

But I guess that I'm just real stupid.  In the fall I plan to take a couple more classes and continue part time to get my teaching degree.  I must love punishment or something.

Oh how I wish I had done this when I was younger instead of waiting till I was in my 40's.

Is there anyone else out there going back to college?  If so, what are you interested in?

[OC Campers]

Congratulations on your AA degree.    I don't have a degree but am only about 5-6 classes away from one.  (thats if all my credits transfer).  I wish I had a desire to finish it.  Maybe when the kids get older.  Best of luck to you.
 
Jacqui

[GeneF]

NC

Congratulations on your Associates Degree.

I admire people that have the stamina to go back to school at a later time in their lives especially since most have some sort of family obligations which makes it even tougher.

I took the same route as you are doing.  I got my Associates Degree at a Junior College, and then for some reason ended up going to a state college to get my teaching degree. I got that at 30 but then I was single.

Also, I think older people make better students because they know why they are there and what their goals are.

Good luck on pursuing your dream of teaching.  I had 30 years and DW had 35 years of teaching.  It can be a very rewarding profession.

[chasd60]

Congrats on the Degree. I graduated in 97 at the ripe young age of 37. I am presently enrolled in the University of Phoenix Online program for my bachelors degree in business management. I get 100% tuition and book reimbursement from my employer but they limit it to one class per quarter.

[Kelly]

Also, I think older people make better students because they know why they are there and what their goals are.

NC ~ Congratulations!!  :#

I have a BA degree with no plans to go back to school for another degree.  I am looking forward to when the kids are in school full-time and I can pick up a few photography classes at the local community college.

I agree, Gene.  I was a "traditional" student in a weekend college program.  Most of my classmates were older and already working.  It was a wonderful environment ~ not only did I get the book-learning, I got to hear the real-world applications too!

[diane]

I also went back to school as an adult, twice. I graduated at 31 with an assoc. in nursing and again at 40 with a BA in school health. I had the same mixed feelings of relief to get it over with and sadness of the loss of companionship of classmates. I started to back for a masters, but now I'm facing college tuition for my children. Once they are done I may return to the classroom, but for areas of interest not a degree.

[Dee4j]

congrats on your AA I finished mine 10 yrs ago, but really didn't like my field after I finished. I have been thinking about going back to scholl and persuing a degree in what's intrests me more- Biotechnology BTW I will be 40 in Sept.

[NCSunshine]

Thanks for all your good wishes and congratulations.  I feel the same as Diane, I will miss all the ladies that I had classes with.  We were a close knit group because we were all Mom's and had returned back to college later in life.

I go this week to register for a math class and when I complete it and feel comfortable, I will take the Praxis test.  

Question for those in the education field, how should I go about preparing for the Praxis test?  Should I pay money for the books that help you study for the test, or should I take it and find out what I didn't pass and just study those?

[Diplomat]

Congratulations!  I finished my Associates degree in 1999, a short 19 years after graduating from High School.  My Dad asked me when I was going to earn my Bachelors and I assured him that at my current pace that I felt confident I could walk across the stage with the class of 2038!  Turned out that I graduated last year  :p  :p

I know that I felt a little unsettled when I finished, all of the sudden my life was much less busy.  I now have a job that I never could have had without a degree and am able to do more fun things in the evenings.  SWMBO earned her AA last year and is now travelling the path to her Bachelors Degree.

[NCSunshine]

Congratulations!  I finished my Associates degree in 1999, a short 19 years after graduating from High School.  My Dad asked me when I was going to earn my Bachelors and I assured him that at my current pace that I felt confident I could walk across the stage with the class of 2038!  Turned out that I graduated last year  :p  :p

I know that I felt a little unsettled when I finished, all of the sudden my life was much less busy.  I now have a job that I never could have had without a degree and am able to do more fun things in the evenings.  SWMBO earned her AA last year and is now travelling the path to her Bachelors Degree.

Diplomat,  Congratulations on your Bachelors Degree!!!  I hope to start working on my Masters Degree now. The oldest graduate at our community college this year was 69 years old.  Just proves a point, that you are never to old to learn.

[PopupSgt]

Today I graduated from college with an Associates Degree.  I have never been so happy for something to be over with in all my life.  But now I feel let down, sort of blue.  Must be the crazies or something.  I will miss the ladies I had so many classes with.  Plus, the instructors I had were great and I will miss them too.  

But I guess that I'm just real stupid.  In the fall I plan to take a couple more classes and continue part time to get my teaching degree.  I must love punishment or something.

Oh how I wish I had done this when I was younger instead of waiting till I was in my 40's.

Is there anyone else out there going back to college?  If so, what are you interested in?

I too am currently attending college.  My college is via online due to I travel quite extensively with my employer and a brick & mortar school is out of question.  I hope to have my associates completed by Jan 06 and my bachelors completed around Jun 07.  

I started out with UofP, but due to the mandatory log-in times this caused issues due to my traveling schedule and camping in the summer.  Now I attend St. Leo University, which are located in Florida.  I'm sure we all felt it but attending full time with a full time job and a family can be very hectic.

Congrats on your degree.

[Diplomat]

The last 60(+/-) hours of my college career was done on-line, all but about 30 hours were done outside of a traditional classroom.  I really enjoyed the on-line format, but there we several courses I wish I had been able to actually meet with some of the other students.  Being on-line is a different kind of social experience for sure.  

College is hard work no matter how you do it, guess that's why only 25% of U.S. adults have a degree!  I don't guess I was ever really "comfortable" going to school, learning tends to put me out of my comfort zone.  For all of you enrolled or considering it, just remember that you have to take the first and last class as well as ALL of them inbetween, there is no unimportant class nor is there such a thing as "only" 1 credit!  You need them all, stay with it and don't quit.