15 replies to this topic

[tak1968]

I m prob an old fart here, i just recieved news that i am eligible to recieve up to $5k in grants for next school yr starting in the fall. I already have 2 associates degrees from 2 different colleges but i got them over 20 yrs ago. I have no idea on where to begin, i think i need to request my old transcripts? how long does that take? ill be applying at a few places for some online courses.. thinking Purdue Univerisity, but i dont know. I tend to procrastinate, but i know i cant on this. any help or suggestions?

[Waser Lave]

Try making a list of the pros and cons of doing it and try to weigh them up.

[simplicity155]

would really depend on all your other commitments and how much you would actually commit to your studies

although you may consider yourself to be old but their are quite a lot of matureaged students that attended my university so its really just a personal decision whether or not you would put out the time and effort to study and whether the degree will help you

[tak1968]

There really arent any cons to it. i stay at home and am a full time mom to 4, with my only daughter having a rare genetic disorder. i am not wanting to go back to work anytime soon, as my time is with the home right now. i would just like to take maybe some healthcare or personal interest classes. my question was how do i begin this applying for schools and all.. its been years for me and i dont know where to begin lol. but ty for your answers everyone.

i know abt older folks going to school.. my mom recieved her Pharmacy Tech degree in her 50's

[Lychee]

Good luck to you! I don't know much about US college systems, but I hope you find a good school with a program that you'll enjoy. Since you're looking to do it online, though, I'll warn against the University of Phoenix - it's apparently very expensive for the quality of the courses and regarded as a degree mill.

[Waser Lave]

You're probably better off just asking the admissions part of any university you're thinking of applying too, they'll be able to guide you through the process for your circumstances.

[esilim]

No. School is useless. There are better ways to get educated, and in many industries it's better to get experience. Find out what you want to do, educate yourself, and get someone else to apprentice/intern you.

[Waser Lave]

No. School is useless. There are better ways to get educated, and in many industries it's better to get experience. Find out what you want to do, educate yourself, and get someone else to apprentice/intern you.

There are also many industries where you need to get a specific qualification so that's not the best advice for everybody.

[Xwee]

I'd say go for it, I never wanted to go back but am glad that I did. However before you do go back, make sure there is something you really would like to study and to find a school that offers the best programs for YOU.
G'luck and make the choice that's actually best for you, like Waser said Pro-Con list it.

[simplicity155]

No. School is useless. There are better ways to get educated, and in many industries it's better to get experience. Find out what you want to do, educate yourself, and get someone else to apprentice/intern you.

very close minded approach
further education is just another option to consider its not a forced option nor is it always a neccesity all depends on the job/future that you are looking for and what is the best way of achieving the goal.

With the extneding circumstances wit your family you will have to consider what differences it will make it you do decide to go back to study other hten that i dont think their is much holding you back from goign back to study

[jaredennisclark]

No. School is useless. There are better ways to get educated, and in many industries it's better to get experience. Find out what you want to do, educate yourself, and get someone else to apprentice/intern you.

Spoken like a true drop-out.

[esilim]

Spoken like a true drop-out.

Or like someone with multiple graduate degrees, who understands that education is much bigger than school, and that school as we know it is going the way of the dinosaur in the next couple decades.

[Georgina]

Or like someone with multiple graduate degrees, who understands that education is much bigger than school, and that school as we know it is going the way of the dinosaur in the next couple decades.

I tend to agree in part.

University isn't such a novelty anymore, every kid has the opportunity to go and ultimately not everyone one of these people can have the awesome job that may be available at the end of it. Students far outweigh jobs in the majority of sectors.

I think there is an exception though in some of the more specialised field that are in demand i.e. medical etc.

But overall in my own experience getting a higher education is often of no benefit. I mean I'm 23, have 5 years work experience, and no degree, only a few A Levels and I end up being the boss of many people who have perused higher education right though to thier late twenties. I mean sure, you can argue the fact that they may, in the long run, have a higher change of getting into management with the qualifications but really, wouldn't someone with 5+ years experience have a pretty good chance anyway?

Mixed feelings on the subject but yeah, unless you specifically need your education to achieve the job you want, and theres a high chance of said job being available then I wouldn't bother.

[Boggart]

School's for fools man. I'm only in it because my parents would disown me otherwise.

[esilim]

On this side of the pond, one of the bigger problems is the education financing bubble. Remember a couple years ago, when it hit the fan that the homes that have been super-financed just didn't have enough inherent value in them to sustain what had been loaned? What is going to happen when educational financing hits the fan? Far more has been loaned for it than for homes, and in this case, the debt is already held by the taxpayers. No bailout necessary... we're all just automatically on the hook for it.

Not good...

[AyoForYayo]

There's nothing bad about having more education.