life changes

ELIMINATOR · Oct 18, 2004

Well, i have been working on and off for the past four years and i am tired of where i am at in life. I want to go back to college, (i have 30 college credits), however, i feel that i am too old. I am 22 and i wouldn’t graduate until i was probably 25 or 26. Being 22 and going to classes with a bunch of 18-20 year olds doesn’t seem that appealing. One thing i do know is that i need a change job wise and school seems like the only option.

So my question is, what would you do if you were in the same situation as i am in?

Did anyone here decide to go to college later in life? And if so, was it that bad?

Nemesis79 · Oct 18, 2004

shit man you got nothing to worry about..there's a lot of people that are in their 20's and started..i started at 18...took two years off and graduated at 24 (last may) now i want to do a phd..man your quality of life will get a lot better..and you'll enjoy living..that will make a good impact in your training. Make sure you choose a field that's in demand..if you have a good career and your doing alright financially before you hit 30 than your doing well.

What's better eventually getting fed up and starting school at 25 or going now..and getting it done slowly but surely. Let us know what field your interested in what you wanna do ..we'll hellp you out.

believe me it's worth it.

ELIMINATOR · Oct 18, 2004

Thanks for the reply Nemesis79. As for my major, i am thinking of business, criminal justice, or computer science. I am not sure 100%. Basically i am 80% sure on the bus. degree, however, working in law enforcement sounds like it would be fun. The comp. Science degree crossed my mind, because of the job market and money that can be made.

What i want is a job where i can make a good living and also have time for myself, so criminal justice probably isn’t the best choice?

Also, someday I would really like to be a owner/mgr of a gym, or own my own business, what type? i am not 100% sure yet.

Picking a major is a battle, and it is also the reason why i only have 30 credits. I got frustrated in the fact that i couldn’t decide, so i started working.

Since working i have come to the conclusion of: I do not like sales, i am not really a people person, I dont like long hours, unless it is a major benefit for me (like owning the business) and i want a stable profitable income; I do not like fluctuating paychecks.

Sigmund Roid · Oct 19, 2004

Eliminator!

I am over 35 by a little and I am still taking classes. Learning is fun if you are into something that interests you! Here is what you should do: Go to a career counselor, have them give you a CAREER INTEREST INVENTOY. The way you answer the questions will show you what you're good at and where your interests lie. They will have a list of careers that fit your personal likes and dislikes. From there it becomes easy to select a college plan. Hope that helps, brother.

Sigmund Roid

FRKNHUGE · Oct 19, 2004

bro im 23 and am planning on making not only a college debut, but also be a competitive NCAA football/track athlete
nothing is too late
if u risk nothing, then u risk losing everything
remember that man
frk

MiniYates · Oct 19, 2004

I´m going back to school in two months. I´m a swede though and we have a bit diffrent education system. They kind of recommend that you take a few years of after gymnasium (like high school) and get some real work experience before you start to study again. I think it´s a rather good approach, the more motivated you are the better the results will be. I have chosen classes that interest me instead of what the market wants. Hopefully i´ll have a Phd in Criminology in three years, then i´ll be 26 and still young.

Dad · Oct 19, 2004

You're NOT too old!

Eliminator,

Here's a TRUE story about someone I've known very well for several decades.

He went to college right out of high school for exactly one semester, got terrible grades, and dropped out. Basically, this was because he didn't know why he was there. No goals, no ideas about career.

Then at 26, he went back to college because he thought he had an interest a health sciences career, but still wasn't sure, so he left again after two semesters, but at least got good grades.

Then, at 33 he went back to college AGAIN because he thought he wanted to go to med school. He finished his degree at age 37, but didn't apply to med school because he wanted to try something else first.

Then, at age 43, he tried law school, hated it and dropped out after one semester.

Finally, at age 44, he went back to school, took a year's worth of science classes, and applied to med school. BUT, his MCAT (medical college admissions test) scores weren't the greatest, so he didn't get accepted to med school.

So...at age 45, he retook the MCAT, got a better score and reapplied once more to med school. BY now everyone who knew him (except his wife), thought he was crazy, and didn't hesitate to tell him so. (His wife already knew he was crazy, so she didn't need to say so, but she supported him wholeheartedly in his goal!) Guess where he is now?

He's a second year med student at age 48 in an M.D. program with about 164 other people half his age (many of whom think he's crazy, but get a kick out of him anyway)!

Go and do what you really want to do! It is NEVER too late! Don't live a life regretting the things you didn't try, but really wanted to!

ELIMINATOR · Oct 20, 2004

Thanks for the help! I feel much better about the whole situation. I am getting my act together, and i will most likley start going to a local community college this winter term.
My life is soon going to revolve around lifting and school, heck, that doesnt seem too bad.

Steak Helmet · Oct 20, 2004

NO worries bro...

I was 28 and finishing up.

I had people in my classes that were 30+

If people ask you, just let them know you had a great job and did not want to give it up. Then you decided you wanted more in life and made the change. I think you would get a lot of respect for diving in.

DO IT!! you will be happier in the long run

Armageddon · Oct 20, 2004

I'm 27 almost 28 and just went back after 5 years off. First few years were just to play football, which were miss guided and left me short of were I should be. But it's ok. I'm still working towards the football thing but still go to school in the meantime. I'm working towards my degree as a nurse anethesist and may go finish to be a doctor. Trust me, we all have these plans and ideas of what we want to do. In this day and age you need blinders or a rediculous good support system to get through it the first time. Things aren't always easy, but they sure seem to workout and feel goo when the proper effort is supplied. Good luck. Just remember, It Could Always Be Worse

Nemesis79 · Oct 24, 2004

ELIMINATOR said:
Thanks for the help! I feel much better about the whole situation. I am getting my act together, and i will most likley start going to a local community college this winter term.
My life is soon going to revolve around lifting and school, heck, that doesnt seem too bad.

Good one on ya..Hey man I screwed up in my uni..and my professor said go to a community college..and get your grades up. I was sad..but when i went i found that th college had better professors than my overcrowded university..I took all my hard classes anatomy physics..organic chem. busted my ass.without any stress becasue the professors taught us..not no TA. We had long classes and they were fun. Nice un-stuck up girls.. The experience was good..and I went back and finished up my degree. I took the MCAT and did alright..but not good enough for med schoool..>I never gave afuck about med school..my parents were on my ass about it...that's what happens when you come from a traditional asian family it blows ass..but i'm glad i majored in exercise physiology...Now I'm aiming to go for a doctorate in Physical therapy..Iknow ill make lots of money..not because it's a good field..or becaues it's needed in the society..because I"m looking forward to the material..and I like it coming from a bb background...If your happy you will succeed..

I know accountant..engineers that are not happy...because they don't like what they do..they are in their early 20's just graduated..what's the point...you find what you like..go back and succeed. Remember the iron game is always here for u...that is what helped me get through my shit...YOu come to the gym and 200 lbs is always 200lbs it doesnt' care if you did bad in school..it doesnt' care if you made bad choices..all it cares about is that ur there...and if you have that outlook on life you will succeed...

This may sound weird..but in conan the barbarian in the beginning...Conan's father tells his son about the riddle of steel..take those words and apply it to life...and to Iron..and you will be a new person.

About computer science..I won't tell you not to do it..but the market is pretty saturated.

When u go to school have no pressure and you will succeed.

ELIMINATOR · Oct 24, 2004

Nemesis79, that sucks that you had so much pressure in school. However, now you sound like you have direction; good luck with the physical therapy.

As for me, i am going to get my two year degree first, and then finish up a university.

DoubleHelix · Oct 26, 2004

Yeah man its never too late. I am turning 20 in December so im a young cat but I am graduating right now from a 10 month firefighting program in Canada and I was in class with a 34 year old and a couple 27 year olds. Youre never too old and you gotta do what makes you happy or else whats the point. My goal was to get a job where id like to go to work everyday and not be like my brothers or dad or hell most of the rest of the world. And luckily ive found that so hopefully you will to.

Conan21 · Oct 26, 2004

actually

I think its better to wait a lil bit before you go to college. I graduated H.S at 17, I didn't know wtf i wanted to do. I would be able to make much better choices now. I Did not take school all that seriously untill it was almost 2 late, i passed every class in 4 years and got good grades but i just did what i had to do to get grades not learn. I work doing some lousy IT job right now at age 22 and just found out today I will probably be gettin laid off very soon just this morning because of seniority purproses!!!

Think of it as blessing. and don't make the mistake of thinking so far into the future and where u will be. I always do this and its very overwhelming. try to live in the present and do what you can do to make tomorrow good.

Nemesis79 · Oct 26, 2004

Conan21 said:
actually

I think its better to wait a lil bit before you go to college. I graduated H.S at 17, I didn't know wtf i wanted to do. I would be able to make much better choices now. I Did not take school all that seriously untill it was almost 2 late, i passed every class in 4 years and got good grades but i just did what i had to do to get grades not learn. I work doing some lousy IT job right now at age 22 and just found out today I will probably be gettin laid off very soon just this morning because of seniority purproses!!!

Think of it as blessing. and don't make the mistake of thinking so far into the future and where u will be. I always do this and its very overwhelming. try to live in the present and do what you can do to make tomorrow good.

Conan is right...Today i just recvd a call from the admissions guy at the DPT program and he said he'll try to get me in..and I have a good chance..If back in the day i fretted about doing half ass on my mcat's not getting into med school i woulnt' have the energy to get this far.. I didn't give a shit..why cause it's not what I wanted to do..you will be happy when you do what u want in a field that is rewarding..now with this new program if i play my cards right I can make more money then docs..less stress...in half the time..no aint that some shizzznit..
Hey it's not done deal yet...just hope and pray it goes down..hehe this guy didnt' even wnat my letters of recommendation..he was like hurry up and just send the apps..Now that shit made me feel good.

NO matter how much shit you face in life..at the end of the day make sure your lifting hard and enjoying your life..keep things simple like conan said thats' the key to no stress...I depend a lot on bbing and training and i'm glad cause it's a very easy thing to keep me happy..the world can go to shit..as long as i'm big and strong i'm loving each and every minute of it...that in itself will lead you to succeed.

Take care brother and keep your head up
If you want to you can try your hand at the medical market..there's a lot of good well paying things to do.

Sigmund Roid · Nov 17, 2004

Eliminator, here is something else you might do!

Take a personality assessment. These can be extremely useful in determining a direction toward a career that would fit your unique personality. For instance, you said you don't want to 'sell' people stuff. (I don't either!) That might be due to the fact that you are an introvert! (who knows?) You get the idea though. A personality test can save you from taking all that time going through classes, getting a job that doesn't fit you.

An excellent personality assessment is the Meyers-Briggs. Do that one, not some stupid test that you get off tickle.com or whatever! They'll give you a list of jobs that fit your personality profile. I turned out to be an ESTP. EXTROVERTED, SENSOR, THINKER, PERCIEVER. It is fun and helpful.

Sigmund Roid.

ELIMINATOR · Nov 17, 2004

Sigmund Roid said:
Take a personality assessment. These can be extremely useful in determining a direction toward a career that would fit your unique personality. For instance, you said you don't want to 'sell' people stuff. (I don't either!) That might be due to the fact that you are an introvert! (who knows?) You get the idea though. A personality test can save you from taking all that time going through classes, getting a job that doesn't fit you.

An excellent personality assessment is the Meyers-Briggs. Do that one, not some stupid test that you get off tickle.com or whatever! They'll give you a list of jobs that fit your personality profile. I turned out to be an ESTP. EXTROVERTED, SENSOR, THINKER, PERCIEVER. It is fun and helpful.

Sigmund Roid.

Thanks bro, i will look into that. Not wanting to sell stuff is a moral thing and i'm kinda shy so.......

bigbaldbulldog · Nov 23, 2004

ELIMINATOR said:
Well, i have been working on and off for the past four years and i am tired of where i am at in life. I want to go back to college, (i have 30 college credits), however, i feel that i am too old. I am 22 and i wouldn’t graduate until i was probably 25 or 26. Being 22 and going to classes with a bunch of 18-20 year olds doesn’t seem that appealing. One thing i do know is that i need a change job wise and school seems like the only option.

So my question is, what would you do if you were in the same situation as i am in?

Did anyone here decide to go to college later in life? And if so, was it that bad?

Dude i went to a 2 year college when i got out of the army at age 22...i was a scratch baker for 20 years and now find myslef replaced my machines and house wives who work for $6/hr...at 37 i am going into my Junior year and will be teaching High School Science (biology)...Life is too short and enjoy all it has to offer...go back and have fun you don't get a second chance at life..