Going back to college was one of the best decisions I have ever made. At 27 I am more financially secure than most of my colleagues & I tend to out perform them. I can honestly say I love college! Anyone in a similar position?
@BlakeFireFire Happy to hear man! I was in college for while and successful hard worker at jobs too, so know what you mean! I wish you the best! 📚
@SuperManCuddles ayy man means a lot coming from a fellow black man. Appreciate you bruh!
I have always loved learning and college. When I went back to school in my mid-late 20's it was even better. I attributed it to having direction and knowing what I was in school for. Many younger students simply don't have enough life experience to know what they want or are there because parents make them. Older students took the classes more seriously too, probably because in most cases (not all) we were paying for our education out of pocket.
I think U.S. society would be better if it were compulsory that everyone spent the two years after graduating from high school working entry level retail jobs.
@Chip777 100%! I feel I know the value of a good education now.
@misternatureboy that’s a good way to create a generative moment, build credit , and put some money in your pocket.
Going back to school was the best decision I ever made. I will admit that going to law school while balancing family obligations and work responsibilities made for an exhausting 3 years.
Compared to people who do not, people who do obtain a degree tend to have more wealth; better health outcomes; more stable marriages; longer lives; and happier lives.
If you never had the chance to go to college, make a plan and make it happen. Almost everybody overestimates how much they can achieve in day or a week, and underestimate what they can achieve in a year or two years. What do you need to do now in order to go to your local college, part-time, in two years time?
If you are in the UK you can study with the Open University, which offers degrees of the normal standard but has no academic entry requirements.
If now isn't the moment, that's ok. Make your plan anyway. Do you homework and make your preparations. Then, when the circumstances change, you'll be ready.
There is always a way.
I never wanted to go to college, but when I did I only went because I was being incentivized to do so. If you look at my transcript you would think I was such a great student, but in reality I needed to maintain a certain attendance & grade average … what I became really good at was memorizing / learning patterns / paying attention to each professors ways & never skipping over the syllabus (because the entire semester would literally be there) … my motivation was what I was receiving, I never wanted to risk that so I made sure to give my strategies 110% … that & I would go to math lab twice a week for a minimum of 45 minutes. The strategies I developed during that time was the most valuable thing for me.
Edit: I’m really glad you love college & that college has been working amazing for you : ) one of my sisters loves college as well & has been going since 92 & I don’t think she will ever stop going, she simply loves learning, & I think I get this from her in the sense that I love learning as well & I’m forever researching something constantly.
@BlakeFireFire No problem bro 😎!!! Happy that we are working towards positive outcomes!!! 💯
@misternatureboy
At no point does the word “compulsory” make anything better.
I'm back in school at 59 🙂
I’m glad other people in the comments hold such a positive view or higher education. It’s wild how much the energy changes. On campus you can really feel the positive energy in the air and it pushes me to move forward. @cuddles_ndream the syllabus has been my best friend. @JoyfulHeart thats amazing you have tons of wisdom to pass on to the younger generation!
I’ve always wanted to go for a 4+ year degree, I’ve always loved school!! I thought I’d work for a few years after school and then figure out a way to make it happen, but I kept letting myself get trapped in extremely demanding jobs. Jobs that I loved, granted, but nothing that ever was super fulfilling. I have a boatload of certificates (currently in the process of completing one, then going for another after that 😹) that I’ve gotten over the years, because I’m incredibly indecisive, but I don’t regret them. They’ve all been stepping stones to realizing what it is I would actually be passionate about. School is never off the table for me, and I hope to make it happen! If I can just get past the analysis paralysis of decision making….
@brightlyconfuse Ayy don’t count yourself out! Higher education isn’t just about getting a college degree. Some certificates are just good if not better in some fields! The fact that you have multiple certs shows that you like to learn new things! Don’t give up!
@BlakeFireFire Aww thank you! I do enjoy wearing many hats! I don’t hate on myself for being so indecisive anymore, I like the fact that I know a little about a lot!
@GoodRightHook it seems to work in Finland (military service) and Thailand (monkhood), and they're doing okay.
The problems with Finnish conscription are vast, and cause a fair amount of strife.
They also happen to be sexist, and barbaric.
173 days of jail time for those who refuse to join the military on moral or ethical grounds is simply fascist.
The fact that slave armies rarely do well in actual combat against volunteer armies is VERY well documented, so Finnish conscription is also fairly foolish, on top of all its other issues...
My dad was the only one from his generation to attend college and my brother and I just had to go too - it was non-negotiable. I thought I'd get my degree, go back home and work at the farm (and so my friends in college). After a few life events/experiences, I ended up going all the way through grad school, in a different country. It was no picnic but I could finish my PhD and I was already 37 (I'm not sure if excelling is the right word). I'm sure proud of what I could achieve, and the funniest part was when I attended my 25-year college anniversary: my old friends were literally "shocked" after they learned of what happened with my life 😁
My boyfriend is working full-time and simultaneously earning his second degree; so proud of him and in awe of his work ethic and discipline! 🥰
~ Sunset Snuggles
Higher education is a great thing. If you’re already motivated, go for it now. Don’t pause, don’t second guess yourself. Self motivation is critical in education, especially advanced degrees. What’s advantageous about education later in life is that you more easily apply it to real life, and you can learn by applying more easily. The friendships you gain through the process are valuable as well. These are accentuated at higher education (Masters, PhD) even more so. I strongly value the education I’ve been fortunate to have. I hope to earn more degrees as I have time.
OMG that is literally me! I am 28 going back to school for a BA in Special Needs Education. I notice how stressed out everyone is at such a young age. I feel I really matured and gained so much experience and knowledge and going back to school has been a lot easier. Of coarse getting back to sitting down and reading from a textbook to studying is different but I really feel like my ability to manage my time, work efficiently, and just have a better management on my life is a lot easier now then I was when I was 18-19. I also wasn't 100% on what I wanted to be which added to my own stress and anxiety. But now I have my goals planned out and I feel so confident in it that even when things get tough and I start to feel overwhelmed I have my goals that motivate me and help me so much. I was a B C student back then now I am getting all As with only one B so far.
@PlushandPerfect 100% feel this. Great job!
Congratulations @BlakeFireFire on continuing your path of education. No age is too young or old to learn. Real life experience with work is also a great school…especially if you can combine that and college or courses. 👏👏
That is so great! I loved college because I could learn a bunch of things. As a retired teacher, I recommend college not because of status or job opportunities, but just as an amazing way to meet people, learn stuff, feel satisfied, and have a few years of becoming more and more of who we are.
@helpertouch couldn’t agree more although I consider myself a status seeker. I love stuff that says I did something!
@BlakeFireFire congrats on finding your path and getting back to school. It's never too late! It's really a shame we're supposed to know what we want to do with our life at 18. I'm still trying to figure it out.
I went to college right out of high school (I was an overachiever, it was what was expected of me), picked one of the most exclusive universities in the country, and struggled mightily. I made it through, but not without a lot of stress. My school struggles affected me for a long time. I finally went back to get my Master's degree in my 40s and found it to be so much more enjoyable. It went so well that I got two degrees...
School is not for everyone, and it's never too late to take your shot. Congrats!
@Finnegan2017 I am glad you finished even though you were stressed. A lot of people would have dropped out and acquired debt! & thank you!
I was able to graduate with an MBA at the age of 38 thanks to the generosity of my employer.