Grown-up students?

[Zarah]

I'm starting my second year of a 3-year graduate degree. I'm just wondering if anyone else around here is still in school or going back to school -- and if so, could we start a discussion and support thread about the issues facing grown-up students?

[CarolAnn]

I'll soon be 55 and I'm still taking college courses part time.

The hardest thing at this age is to be taught by kids! Also, I find that my young classmates are often not good consumers - when I pay for a course, I darn well want to learn the material I paid for. They're still in that school-child mentality of getting by with as little effort as possible, and they cheer when the instructor blows off some coursework. I also notice that they're not very good at critical thinking - they just want to find whatever answer will get them an "A." I don't care that much about grades - I want the information that will enable me to understand the subject.

You're quite a bit younger than me - but you may have noticed the difference between the younger students and those that are more grown up!

[Zarah]

Thanks for responding, CarolAnn! I was beginning to think I was all alone. ;)

Last semester I taught a couple of undergrad courses (me! 24 years old!) and I had a woman in one who was close to your age. She was an absolute delight to have in class, because she had a lot more patience with me than the younger students did, and because she was genuinely enthusiastic about her projects and what she was learning. She was a little bit motherly towards me, and yet could also receive criticism better than the younger students.

It was amazing to see how her maturity gave her the ability to be a MUCH better student, and yet unfortunately her classmates didn't have much respect for her because she was so much older and still taking a basic art course. I don't think they ever realized she already had a degree and had been a practicing nurse for longer than most of them had been alive!

One of my ongoing struggles as a grad student has been to forget about grades and focus on learning. It's hard to put the maximum effort into everything, though. This semester I'm taking 5 graduate-level courses, as well as holding down 2 part-time jobs. And I also have concerns that I didn't have as an undergrad: a husband, a home, a cat, a garden.

I have to remind myself on an almost daily basis that if I really screw something up here, I want it to be my career and not my marriage. That helps keep things in perspective most of the time, at least.
::)

[Toad_Sticker]

I hope to get a degree as soon as I can figure out how to support my family as I am the sole bread winner for 5 of us.
I have been painting and hope to get a BFA someday.

TS

[MaryBac]

Hi, I am almost 54 and am being retrained now for a different career, as I was injured on the job and cannot return to my former position. I am starting online training tomorrow through Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. I am taking Microsoft Word and then, next semester taking Microsoft Excell. It is very scary as I really do not know a lot about computers. Does anyone have any pointers for adults starting back to school?
Mary

[Zarah]

Congrats on going back to school, MaryBac!

I have found that I learn computer programs best by just going in and playing with them. The exercises in class can help to give you an idea of what the program can do, but you can't beat old-fashioned experimentation. And once you've learned one program, usually there are basic functions that carry over to most other programs, so you're already ahead of the game when you start learning the next one.

Microsoft Word is, for the most part, pretty straightforward and logical, so I think it'll be a good place for you to start. If you can figure out how to post here on BHM, you must have some computer-savvy, so you'll be fine.

Excel has always mystified me a bit -- it has SO many secret little tricks that it will do, and I assume that most people only really know the ones that apply to what they're doing with it on a daily basis. By the time you get to it, though, you'll have a better sense of what to expect and how to be a good adult student.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[mangyhyena]

My job offers an opportunity to earn a 4 year degree through the University of Arkansas in an online program. The first 2 years are online through an Arkansas community college, then the last 2 years through the University of Arkansas. I'm working far too many hours right now to attempt it, (2 full time jobs) but in a few years I will be working a normal amount of hours and I intend to give it a try.

Has anyone else been taking classes online for college credits?

What can I expect?

[mangyhyena]

Congratulations to you all, BTW. I think it's great that you're taking classes.

[JakeLeg]

i got my BArch from Drexel U in Philadelphia. their BArch program is night school only for the last 4 years - with either a 2 year full time start or a 3 year part time start.

i would guess that the average age of the students in my classes was about 30-35 or so, with some folks in their 50s. some students were full time in other professional careers, many students were full time tradespersons.

the benefit of adult classes is that the maturity level skyrockets, and the B.S. level is near zero. people were paying their own way through school and were there to do one thing: learn.

[Steve_L]

Old thread, but I'm new to the forum. I'm 51, and gone back for a Master's in physics. The way to handle this is sit in the front row, come early, and be the last to leave. No one sits in the front row anymore, and it is almost like being the only person in class. You never turn around, because you'll gasp and scream "OH my GAWD, they're all BABIES!!!"

They hate that.

I hope to finish by December. Gotta finish this experiment.

[333]

Peace,

Yea they do seem extremely young, especially when your the same age as some of the staff. I never matriculated, no desire but have enjoyed the mini vacations, (funny cause I hated school) as I attend semesters as my schedule and finances allow.

I had to laugh when the "guidance" council way younger then I approached me about turning the past few yew years into a degree, "what do you want to do with all your credits which direction do you see your education going?"

I stifled my laugh and informed her I was enjoying my education just fine, and was not sure what I wanted to be when I grew up.

333