Going Back To School...

[babylady4]

GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!!

Don't worry about getting along with the other students, they will enjoy picking your brain!

What are you interested in doing? Go for something you find interesting, and don't just look at what you will be making in the long run. There are tests and classes available at the University for you to decide on what your major should be. At first you will be taking a lot of GDR's to begin with anyway so you have time to nail down something specific.

I went back to school in 2002 at the age of 28. One of my fellow classmates was a gentleman who had been an auto mechanic his entire life, but was forced to quit due to severe arthritis in his hands. He came back to school at the age of 40 and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a riot to be around and was one of a few people who could explain math to me!

If you do decide to go, get your application in ASAP, and then as soon as your taxes are finished apply for your financial aid. Purchase your textbooks online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or eBay's Half.com to save yourself some $$$$

I currently work in the University system so if you need any help feel free to PM me!

 

[pardygwyn]

Which branch of radiology?

I'm only a few years younger than you and went back to school in Fall 2009 for a two-year intensive Radiologic Science course. There are several people in my class over 40 and the only students we've lost so far are the young ones who thought this was going to be a piece of cake. It's been really rough to go from being a breadwinning adult to a starving student again, but I just completed my first few weeks of working as a tech over winter break, so the sweat I've been pouring into the education is really worth it! How many traditional degrees can we say that about, these days?

Also, don't let the waiting lists scare you. Many schools are fond of waving those around like a badge of honor, but I know of very few students who've actually had to wait a year if they've done their homework and have produced what the school is looking for in terms of prerequisites here in WA state. It does depend on the school and how much it will support your education, of course, but getting in for class or clinicals is like getting any job - it's a matter of putting yourself out there in a marketable fashion and following up on your application. Since you've already got experience being all growed up, this should give you a leg-up on the younger competition. Good luck!

 

[chikky]

Definitely go to school! It took me 15 years to finish my Associates (lots of growing up during that time), then Bachelor's and finally, at 48 I'll have my MBA. The younger people are fun and exciting to work with IMO. I've attended classes with many international young people, which was a challenge, yet extremely interesting and educational. Age doesn't really matter in class. Older adults have much to offer about working in the real world and the younger people are interested. I do notice that evening students are overall a very hard-working, serious group and usually there are more older people in those classes.

Best of luck to you! It's hard work, but worth every hour.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
What does something like that pay?

 

[Judy]

When I went to nursing school I was 27; the oldest student was 54. And that was 1969. No problem for any of us.

Nothing unusual about older folks attending college or trade school any more. Don't give it another thought.

 

[Lifesong Farm]

I say do it. It's scary but you won't regret it. I am actuall going back. I start tomorrow. I graduated with my associates in Veterinary Technology 3yrs ago. The economy in our area has made some vets go bankrupt. So now back to school tomorrow. I could tell you more about the age difference then.

 

[pardygwyn]

Quote:
This job doesn't take care of you quite as well as it used to, but it's relatively stable. I'm still in school, working for a small independent company in WA state as a technician rather than a registered technologist and I make $18/hr. That can increase to $22-27/hr starting wages once I pass the registry, depending on where I work in the area. Large hospitals with high per diem turnover tend to pay well, though the hours are odd and the work environment is a challenge. It's standard to expect a bunch of nutty hours and more than one job for awhile after graduating. Some techs land a full-time job within a year or two after graduating, others take longer. It depends on their attitude, where/when they're willing to work, how naturally the job comes to them, and a good dash of serendipity.

People who work in ultrasound, CT, MRI, mammography or who go through medical school to become a radiologist make more, of course. What I'm doing now is intense enough that I've long since decided I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it.

I do enjoy the variety available in my future, though!

 

[verthandi]

I returned to College at age 54.(2008) Received my Associates in two year and am working on my Bachelors. I returned to study geochemistry, but took a detour at Historical Research. Not a direction I had planned on. My advice is just do it. Once you take a few of your core classes, you will feel more comfortable picking a direction to go in. I had been out of school 36 years, by the end of my first semester I was also employed by the University as a tutor. I do not believe you will feel out of place, most classes are mixed age groups now. Many people have lost their employment in their chosen field and returned to school. Life experience will also be helpful to you in your classes.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

Just sign up and do it. I returned to school 10 yrs ago when I filed for divorce. I went to the only local college that would accept my credits from 20 years previously and took just about the only degree course ( communications) that could produce a BA during evening courses. Things have changed locally now and 3 different local colleges allow intermingling of students.
Anyway, my evening classes were mostly adults and small numbers. The professors LOVED teaching the adults and classes were often informal with a lot of give and take.
In my experience, having the piece of paper is the main thing.. as a previous poster said: checking the box. So many people change careers now, the employers want someone who is adaptable and can learn new things.
I now work in the education field and many people there did not start as teachers. Even the secretaries often have 4 yr degrees. I know some art school grads and English grads who are in Accounting and secretarial because that is where the jobs are. The degree only gets you in the door. You have to do the rest.