Starting College at 30 - Miami,FL

Why not?
If it takes 5 years, look at it this way--you'll still be 35 either way--would you rather have a degree or not?
Good luck! Go for it!

Congratulations!

My husband will be starting a graduate program this fall, at 45. He expects to finish at 50. His line is, "Well, I'll be 50 either way. This way I'll be 50 with an advanced degree."

The exact same thing applies for you.

My husband is starting medical school at 40. So go for it. If you live till you're 80, you have time for at least 1-2 careers. :)

I just did it and I'm 25 years older than you. You're a youngster. Go for it.

That's great!! Go for it, you won't regret it, and it is a fantastic example to set for your kids. I just finished a post-graduate degree last year- at 40! You can do this!!

Go! I went to school by taking a few classes here and there. There was a lady in my classes who was grandma age. Don't worry about it, just go.

You go, girl!!! 30 is not old. I teach at a university, and I have had students in their 50's.

I teach remedial math and often the students who don't begin immediately after high school will need to take remedial math. If your advisory tells you to take a remedial math class, take it! It is very difficult to remember high school math if you've been away from it for a few years. Several of my students begin the semester saying, "I used to know how to do this!" Usually the class ends up being a really important refresher for them, and they really know the material when they leave. You will need to know the material in order to take college level math, and I swear no one gets a college degree without taking stats!

Just my little FYI as I sit hear watching my Beginning Algebra class take their first exam of the semester.

Go for it! Work hard, stay positive and enjoy the ride.

Better late than never!

And really, 30 isn't that late. There are a lot of colleges that cater to adults. Go for it!

Starting at 30 is GREAT!! I will turn 30 in a few weeks and I just completed my MBA this past fall. I was younger than most of the people in my class! My mom is in her 50's and working on her EdD. My dad has two master's degrees, both of which he obtained when he had 5 kids, so he was in his 30's. I think going to school at any time is great!!

What I can tell you is that you will need support. I have 3 kids and had my husband and kids not been understanding of my need for time, it would have been more difficult. So get them on board first...obviously if the kids are too small, hubby can just play with them :). But defintiely go!!

School is something that is always yours. No matter what, the degree won't change or go away.

My oldest daughter will be finishing her 2 yr degree this spring. She's 30 with 3 kids. Don't overthink it just do it. Figure out what works best for your family and jump right in. It'll be hard and frustrating but you can do it.

My daughter and I are in college now, at the same time. I just started my bachelor program in Early childhood Education (got my AS in 2010), and she just started Art school. We will graduate about the same time if all goes well.

I work 60+ hours a week (I have a "Birth to Three" home based childcare) and have several other child care related projects and commitments, so its a lot of work for me and will take time. But I will make it through! Then maybe go on further? Who knows? I like school, even tho I complain profusely about it! HA!

You can do it!

Bravo! Go for it! I know many women who have gone back to college for a degree after they were done with their families--or even went back for a different degree because the one they initially got they either no longer like the field or there are no jobs available--and all of them were so glad they did!

My only caution is to make sure that the area you go into is one where you have a reasonable expectation of being able to find a job/employment once you're done.

Good luck!

Its NEVER too late to go back to school. I went to school online 3 years ago and now Im teaching 3rd grade. What are you waiting for!

Go for it!!! There are lots of women your age going back to school! I am 32 and still have a year left, I am excited to finish one day.

fantastic!
of course you haven't. 30 is still very young, you're not even halfway through your life.
and what a great example to set for your kids!
:) khairete
S.

Good for you for being brave to make a life change! I went to school in my 20's-30's and ran into a lot of people around my age when I was in my 30's. Remember you are not there for them, you are there for you and your family. Have fun, enjoy the experience and go because great things await you.

You are at the perfect time to go back to school -- your kids are young and you can do it while they are little or in school.

I held off on my degree and I am plugging away at it a little at a time and will probably finish when I am 70 (four years from now). I work at a university and take classes.

If I can do it you can certainly do it and it will definitely be easier. Yes I have completed the remedial math classes and have to figure out my major so I know how much more math to take.

Good luck to you.

the other S.

DH graduated at 40 - got a great job in his field.
I will graduate this summer in my late 30's.

Don't worry about your age... just be aware that it is TOUGH to succeed in school and take care of a family. Seriously, way more difficult than working full time! As long as you are determined you can make it work though.
Good luck.

I am 38, just quit my job & went back to school full-time for a career change (from Finance to Pharmacy!)

It's never too late to go back to school, and in many cases, those of us who school older do better (we WANT it more!).

That said, here is my advice (considering I just started).
1. Go slow! There is a difference b/t going to college right after highschool & doing so after a break of many years. Some of the information you used to know is now missing, & you need to relearn it. I am in Bio, Chem AND Physics this semester, & just those 3 classes are kicking my butt! I am thankful that I took 1 class last semester while I was still working - got my head in the game & put me back into good study habits.
2. Get to know people right away - talk to the person next to you, ask your advisor if there are campus clubs for the major you are in. Find out who is in your class, & maybe also in another class w/you, & form study groups.
3. Get your books early & start reading before classes begin. If you can get into the habit of reading the material the week before it is discussed in lecture, you can spend your study time that week actually learning what the professor is teaching. Once you slip behind, it's much harder to catch up.
4. Utilize online tools for studying (flash-cards, websites with practice tests on similar material, etc) and for time-organization. An up to date calendar is a must, & blocking your study time is important! Also, if they offer tutoring @ the school, it is worth it to sign up @ the start of the semester. Go for a few weeks (at least 2 or 3) & see if it helps you. It's nice to know you have the sessions if you need them, & can stop it if it is not something you need, but harder to find yourself not where you want to be, & then looking for help.

Congrats on your decision to move forward, & good luck!!

BTW, what is your area of study going to be?

About 1/3 of the students at our local CC are 40s & 50s. They still have 20-25 years of work in front of them & needed to change careers.

Think about that a moment... People 10&20 years der than you still have YOUR ENTIRE LIFE in front of them before they retire.

You? You have 30-40 years of work in front of you.

Granted... I come from a mitary family & a medical family... So people with DONT start school until late 20s/early 30s on average (enlisted, college, officer) or start early but aren't finished until their mid to late 30s. (12 years of school for an MD + Gap Years = 35-40 on average.

So for me... I don't think twice about being 30s/40s in school ... Since I grew up with that.

My exhusband was freaking out a out being 25 in school. Bemoaning how "old" he was, ticked off about not being as to have the "college experience" etc. ((Didn't stop him, he got drunk every night and had a gazillion affairs & was a total duche... If ya can't tell... We WERE married back when.))

So a lot really IS attitude.

I'm 20 years older than some of my classmates (who invite me over, etc.), sane age as many of my professors (and often make friends in faculty, invited out with the grad students even before I started TA'ing). And often 20 years younger. But it never mattered. Students & Profs like me. So I just fell in and started swimming. 20 years = no worries.

My ex was so insecure, 2 years made him feel like an outcast.