Are we all old???

IaCountryGirl · Oct 11, 2006

I"m a 27 year old married mother of two. Ds is 6, soon to be 7 and dd is 2. This is my second time in college and I am determined to make it through. It helps that I have finally choosen something that I want to do, vs thinking I should do for job security and financial reasons. The first time I went for computer programming because it was THE job to go for. But I hated it. I'm glad I didn't go ahead with it!

I work part time at a grocery store in cash accountability. Meaning I do nothing but count money, deal with check and eft transactions and try to keep those who are running the registers, in-line. It amazes at the stupid things people do!

I have a ton of coworkers cheering me on. They always ask how school is going. Sometimes the younger ones fresh out of high school can help me with something (like math).

I dont' feel overwhelmed or burned out, but I've come to really appreciate my one day off per week. The one day off is saturday, which I do no school related things (unless I'm down to the wire for something big due that monday) and I don't work. I don't work on thursdays but have a 2 hour class then so it cuts some time out of my home life.

Crescent_cries · Oct 12, 2006

I am 20 and I already considered myself to be old. I don't think it really matters if others see you as old, as long as you see yourself at the age you want. I plan to continue my education for a very long time. I already plan out my path, but it might change. If you think yourself old, you will probably start to act like it, so it's all in the mind. Forget what others say.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

I'm going to be 43 tomorrow (geez, how did that happen, wasn't I 25 just a few days ago!?!?) I hope, hope, HOPE to start nursing school in January. Letters don't go out until end of October, so I'm going to be a short tempered nervous wreck until I know one way or the other if I'm in...

What makes you feel old...I was teaching sunday school, and one of the high school kids asked if they could interview me for a homework assignment. It was about the Challenger, so I shared my memories, then asked her what she remembered....and found out she hadn't been born yet....can I get a geritol IV, stat?

WDWpixieRN, RN · Oct 12, 2006

I'm going to be 43 tomorrow (geez, how did that happen, wasn't I 25 just a few days ago!?!?)
What makes you feel old...I was teaching sunday school, and one of the high school kids asked if they could interview me for a homework assignment. It was about the Challenger, so I shared my memories, then asked her what she remembered....and found out she hadn't been born yet....can I get a geritol IV, stat?

Well, I'm 50 and in my first semester, but if it makes you feel any better, about 20-something years ago, my friend and I were in a warehouse-type club and she was buying the "newly" released on CD version of Elton John's Yellow Brick Road ....when we got to the register, the kid who was checking her out asked her, "Who is Elton John?!?!" Obviously, this was during one of his less popular time periods, but we wanted to die and felt SO OLD....and we were maybe late 20's!!

It doesn't take much sometimes!!

paccookie · Oct 13, 2006

LMAO!!! Well, I did have a 20 year old waitress tell me that 26 was "over the hill." The old guy sitting at the counter next to me said something like, "well, then, I guess I'm dead." LOL

I do think there are quite a few "older" people here but I don't think that's a bad thing at all. Honestly, I'm much more serious about school at 26 than I was at 18 or 19. I quit college twice (at 18 and 19) and I've regretting it ever since. Now I have very good grades and I'm very proud of it. I feel that I understand what I have been taught thus far and I'm confident about the future. How many 18 yr olds can say that? :wink2: I'm also much more determined to succeed because I have a 6 yr old and a 2.5 yr old and a husband who are depending on me graduating ASAP and getting a good job. And I feel that I have something to prove to myself. And I just love being in school again! I'm usually tired and have way too many things on my plate, but I wouldn't drop any of them if I had the choice. I really missed "exercising my brain" in the years I was not in school.

Anyway, good luck!

CG

Aradien · Oct 13, 2006

I am a 41 year old mom of two teenagers, a DS and a DD. I don't think I realized how much I wanted to be a nurse until I put my application in and was accepted. Not because I was nonchalant about it, I was terrified that I wouldn't get in! When I got notified, I burst into tears and have not looked back. I know that I was meant to be a nurse!

LMRN10 · Oct 13, 2006

I do think there are quite a few "older" people here but I don't think that's a bad thing at all. Honestly, I'm much more serious about school at 26 than I was at 18 or 19. I quit college twice (at 18 and 19) and I've regretting it ever since. Now I have very good grades and I'm very proud of it. I feel that I understand what I have been taught thus far and I'm confident about the future. How many 18 yr olds can say that? :wink2: I'm also much more determined to succeed because I have a 6 yr old and a 2.5 yr old and a husband who are depending on me graduating ASAP and getting a good job. And I feel that I have something to prove to myself. And I just love being in school again! I'm usually tired and have way too many things on my plate, but I wouldn't drop any of them if I had the choice. I really missed "exercising my brain" in the years I was not in school.
Anyway, good luck!
CG

I couldn't agree with you more. I feel that I am much more prepared at 30 now than I would have been right out of high school. I look at my grades now compared to what they were in high school and let me say, what a difference!! I think a lot of it also has to do with the fact that WE are responsible for paying for it...not our parents. Just like materialistic things...you tend to take better care of things that you spent your hard earned money on than those things other bought for you. (Not now, but as a kid). I can say that my DH didn't make it through college and he looks back now and is very upset with himself. I'm not saying all kids right out of high school do this, but a lot don't appreciate what their parents are doing for them and I think it's sad. My DH is guilty of that and lost his chance and is now kicking himself in the butt!!

Good luck to everyone!!

Lori

earthlynurse2be · Oct 13, 2006

Hi Everybody.
I'm new to this board, but it seems that there are a lot of older/returning students here.
Just out of curiousity, how old are you and where are you in life???
I'm 33 and a SAHM to two children: dd(3), and ds(1). I'm hoping to get into UF's accelerated BSN program next summer and somehow find time to balance it all....to be honest, it's a little intimidating to think about.
Good luck to us all!!!
Carla

Hi! I am new to the board!

I'm 28 and a SAHM to two boys ages 5 and 1. I already have a bachelor of science in Public Health. I apply for Nursing School in January. I can't wait to start my nursing classes. I am taking review courses right now of A & P b/c it's been 5 years since taking them.

Good Luck to everyone!

JaxiaKiley · Oct 13, 2006

I'm 28, and I'm a much better student now than I was when I was 18. Time does teach us a lot, doesn't it? :)

futurepro*rn* · Oct 14, 2006

I'm 29 with 3 children, 2 girls both aged 10 (not twins) :rolleyes: and a son 7 years old. I am engaged to a wonderful man:biggringi whom I've already shared 7 years with and just getting back to work full time. I also have much better grades now than when I was younger and quit school twice before. I just got my acceptance letter to a fulltime evening/weekend adn program @ the local community college. I'm very happy with were I am in life and I don't feel old at all. :jester: I think it doesnt matter what your birth certificate says, its how young you feel inside.:wink2:

nessy · Oct 14, 2006

I'm 28 and have just started my 3rd year of the program. I always wanted to become a nurse, it just took me a long time to get my butt in gear and focus on schooling.

akspudus · Oct 16, 2006

I'm 34. After 16 years in the Coast Guard (13 Active, 3 Reserve) I decided to take advantage of all the college moneys the Coast Guard had to offer.

After Sept 11, I lost my career as a private computer consultant because I was recalled to back active duty with the Coast Guard. I spent over 4 years performing various maritime security and anti terrorism roles for the Coast Guard.

Originally I joined the Coat Guard to earn benefits and money for college. Well to make a long story short, after 16 years I am fulfilling my college ambitions. With the money the Coast Guard has to offer for school, I am able to go to school full time without working. Between my wife's income and my military bennies, we are able to support ourselves and three boys.

It is never too late.

I have a friend that spent 23 years on a police force in Alaska. Retired then went back to school. He is now an ER doc in Portland OR. Never too late.

akspudus

Miami Dade college