first time back in a classroom in 15 years

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2007

38 yr old here, work full time, married, 2 daughters (15 & 5) both involved in many activities and I go to school full time.

You'd think you'd be the "old geezer" but I'll tell you the average age in my class is mid 30's. We have some fresh out of high school and one who's youngest child is almost as old as me.

It is tough trying to juggle house, kids, school etc but it can be done. I've noticed that us "older" ones are much more serious about school. We have a lot to loose if you don't succeed..family sacrifices alot for us to go back. Thats not to say ALL younger ones aren't serious or have made sacrifices.

I have done much better in college as an "older" student than I did when I was a kid coming out of high school. I am currently maintaining a steady 3.8 GPA

Best of luck, you can do this if you put your mind to it.

MisMatch, LPN · Oct 30, 2007

I'm 51 y/o, attending a community college to pursue my nursing degree. I had been out of the classroom for over 30 years! A lot of my fellow students are the same age as my kids. Do I feel like an old geezer? Heck NO!

Ditto to what CT Pixie said - that us "older" ones are much more serious about school. We also have maturity, wisdom and life experience some of the younger ones lack. In addition, the older ones seem more motivated, since we don't have parents footing the bill or putting a roof over our heads.

I'm also carrying a 3.8 GPA, with 25 credits under my belt, and start clinicals in January.

Go for it!

Scooter321 · Oct 30, 2007

I'll echo what the others say, and you are no old geezer! I just turned 50 and am working on my general ed and pre reqs. In the general ed courses like English, sociology, etc., I do feel old, and most of my classmates are younger than my oldest kid. In the science courses, though, like A&P, most of the students are mid 20s to late 30s, so the gap isn't quite that huge! Lots of 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) careers being sought.

Don't let your age or time since school put you off. As you've heard, we "nontraditional" students tend to take it seriously and do well. I have a full-time job and a daughter who still lives at home and needs to be run around all over. It can be done--so far I have 19 credits and currently working on 7 more, and my GPA is 4.0. Mind you, you should see my house! I am suffering from CHAOS (can't have anyone over syndrome). LOL!

Welcome to the "hope to be a nurse soon" gang. :welcome:

JustinTJ, ADN, BSN · Oct 30, 2007

I'm a bit younger, but at 29 I still feel old compared to the 18-21 year old crowd. This is my first semester back, and I've made some friends with the younguns and had an AP study session over at my house last month.

When they saw some old plastic cups in my pantry that said "Reinhardt College Welcome Week 1996" they started laughing. I don't think they knew I was that old, some of them were 7 in 1996.

Glorious.

Sarah Bellum · Oct 30, 2007

Thank you all for the encouragement! The section I signed up for is in the evening and will probably have more 2nd (and 3rd and 4th) career folks like myself. (dh somewhat belatedly pointed that out to me).

My registration went through yesterday so I'm officially signed up for the class! Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to get back on track towards going to NS, I'm just scared of the whole classroom thing, feeling like a fish out of water, etc. I'm sure it's a touch of social anxiety and I'm sure I'll get past it. I think I'll plan a trip to the campus a week or so before classes start to find my classrooms, figure out the parking thing, get my books and generally find my way around before the term starts.

Thanks again!

Karen

3rdgenRN2B · Oct 30, 2007

I'm a non-trad student who's been chipping away at her pre-reqs for a while now. This coming spring will be 2 years since I was in the classroom (I took time off to have my daughter) and I can't wait to go back. I usually take my classes in the AM so yes, there are quite a few 18 year olds in class with me. But I'm the one they want to partner up with when it comes to labs. Being a little older works to my advantage because they see me as more responsible. Being a non-trad student shows professors and other students that you're there because you want to be not because you've just graduated high school and it's what you're supposed to do. I find that my professors are more inclined to reach out and help me excell because they know I'm there with a purpose. I hope this offers some encouragement. Good LUck!!

catzy5 · Oct 30, 2007

I'm very much a non-traditional student (38 yo stay at home mom to twin toddlers and an almost 10 year old with special needs) and I am scared to death to go to a regular classroom. :chair:
I took A&P 1 and 2 online in '05-'06 but I have to retake both classes, the school I'm applying to will not accept the credits because the labs were all virtual. So I signed up at the local community collge and fully expect to be surrounded by 18-21 year olds and feel like an old geezer. I did pretty well in college the first time around but now with a husband, 3 kids, and a house to distract me this is a whole different ballgame.
Any sage advice from other "older" students here? :uhoh21: Did I mention I'm scared to death? :stone
Karen

Hi Karen,

You might very well be surprised, I am 39 with twin boys 8 and a daughter who is 10. I found so many friends at the CC level, many were my age and many you just couldn't tell the age barrier was there. You will have a great time working toward your goal, I think it has totally kept me sane, having something to do for myself! Good luck to you!!

Catherine

AlishiaRN77 · Oct 30, 2007

I'm a bit younger, but at 29 I still feel old compared to the 18-21 year old crowd. This is my first semester back, and I've made some friends with the younguns and had an AP study session over at my house last month.
When they saw some old plastic cups in my pantry that said "Reinhardt College Welcome Week 1996" they started laughing. I don't think they knew I was that old, some of them were 7 in 1996.
Glorious.

OMG i had to giggle at this line:

"Glorious"

Knew exactly what you were talking about!!! :lol2:

LMRN10 · Oct 30, 2007

I am 31 years old, I am married with a 2 year old daughter, a dog AND a full-time job. I'm about to begin my clinicals in January and I am nervous!!!

I have been taking pre-req's since the Summer of 2004, had my daughter in the Fall of 2005 and I just kept going!!! You WILL find a way to make it work...maybe DH needs to step up a bit more so you can get your studies in, but I always found time to study for my classes. You'll make it happen!!! Best of luck to you!!!

Lori

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Oct 31, 2007

did you know that the average age of a nursing student is in her 40's? heck - its not the age that matters its the attitude!

i'm 44, 2 kids, 2 dogs, recently laid off and doing pre-reqs for the last couple of years. my dear husband, though supportive in my efforts, really doesn't help much in running the house, kids, paying bills, groceries and such. sometimes i feel i have so much baggage on my shoulders! i'm in my college's honors program (free tuition for select classes - makes my transcript look good.) on one hand, i can appreciate what i am learning in school. on the other hand, the young kids are so smart today that i think they have the advantage. they are learning about dna transcription and translation in junior high!

the way i see it, by the time i graduate from nursing (i'll be starting w/the jan 08 spring program), my daughter will be ready to graduate from high school. yeah, it seems like it is taking forever, but when i started all this i said to myself "i'll get there when i get there!" and it looks like i'm getting there...slowly but surely!

don't give up! you've got the will and the attitude and gosh-o-golly: you can do it! pump%20iron.gif