Anyone else re-enroll in school?

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Christopher

Christopher

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Hey everyone!

Made a very nerve racking decision and registered for Rutgers University today after stepping out. I joined the NYPD a couple of years ago have a family and now think it's a good idea to finish my degree up.

Anyone else register and do it later on in life with a family and career ...is it too much to handle?
 
Christopher said:
Hey everyone!

Made a very nerve racking decision and registered for Rutgers University today after stepping out. I joined the NYPD a couple of years ago have a family and now think it's a good idea to finish my degree up.

Anyone else register and do it later on in life with a family and career ...is it too much to handle?
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As someone who went to college and has a desk job: tell me more about the NYPD. Was it awesome?
 
going back later in life, but don't have a family and have some bit of job flexibility.

it's doable, but depends upon the school's schedule and the type of courses.
 
You'll be fine, distractions only exist if you let them.
 
Christopher said:
Hey everyone!

Made a very nerve racking decision and registered for Rutgers University today after stepping out. I joined the NYPD a couple of years ago have a family and now think it's a good idea to finish my degree up.

Anyone else register and do it later on in life with a family and career ...is it too much to handle?
Click to expand...
I did it. I worked nights (6-2), went to school Tuesdays and Thursdays and kept my (at the time) baby daughter home on M-W-F to save on daycare costs, which were expensive in that area.
 
I started working on a Masters about a year and a half after I finished undergrad. I figure now is the best time to do it. I have a full-time job, but no family. I'm learning a lot, but at times I really hate it. Mostly because I'm really lazy. I'm even only taking one class per semester.
 
I'm 37 now. A few years ago, I quit my job and went back to school to finish up my bachelor's degree (which took two years). I then spent another year getting my teaching credentials, and a fourth year getting my master's degree.

While I was in school, my wife and I lived off the income from her job and the little bit of cash I earned doing freelance writing. It wasn't difficult at all, and I'm very glad I did it.

Even if I'm not using my degree at my current job.
 
University (or any schooling really) can be difficult after time away. Your brain is expected to deal with information in a way it isn't used to anymore. Just keep that in mind, and don't get discouraged.

Good luck!
 
I don't have a family but I took a lot of years off before going back. The funny thing is that I'm not even close to the oldest person in each class if it means anything. :)
 
I'm actually looking into getting back later this week. They just opened up registration at the community college. I took two years of prereqs thinking I'd get into medical with radiology, but the more I thought about it, the more I'd rather be working with computers. How's the IT field these days?
 
Whimsical Phil said:
I'm 37 now. A few years ago, I quit my job and went back to school to finish up my bachelor's degree (which took two years). I then spent another year getting my teaching credentials, and a fourth year getting my master's degree.

While I was in school, my wife and I lived off the income from her job and the little bit of cash I earned doing freelance writing. It wasn't difficult at all, and I'm very glad I did it.

Even if I'm not using my degree at my current job.
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I remember you talking about that during those P1P episodes. Good memories.

Anyway OP, nothing wrong with being an older/return student. Just don't be the annoying old student.
 
Thinking about going back to school to get a masters since work will pay for it.

Don't know how worthwhile it would be though. And it would be a shit ton of work on top of a full time job.
 
Can anyone in America register to an University? Is money the only thing you need? Or do they also have other criteria?

I know that getting into a Dutch University isn't that easy.
 
I made a thread early last week about this. After matriculating with an MA in English, I'm going back to undergrad studies at 27 for pre-med so that I can someday apply to Veterinary School.
 
Second said:
Can anyone in America register to an University? Is money the only thing you need? Or do they also have other criteria?

I know that getting into a Dutch University isn't that easy.
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Transcript, Standardized Test, Essay, 2-3 Recommendation Letters, etc. (at least for good schools)
 
HephalumpsAndWoozles said:
Undergrad isnt the most difficult thing in the world.
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This. I have both a BA (Finance) and a BS (Economics) and really haven't run into a single challenge until Graduate research began and I essentially turned into my Professor's bitch.

Go ahead and do it without reservation, and more power to you.
 
Christopher said:
Hey everyone!

Made a very nerve racking decision and registered for Rutgers University today after stepping out. I joined the NYPD a couple of years ago have a family and now think it's a good idea to finish my degree up.

Anyone else register and do it later on in life with a family and career ...is it too much to handle?
Click to expand...

I did something similar. I was in college and dropped out for a job. When I realized how stupid I was to drop out I already had a wife and kids.

It was hard. I had to work full time and go to classes in the evenings. I gave up a lot of time with my young family. Looking back it was worth it, but at the time it was very difficult.

Back then there weren't online classes, so I had to be away from home. If you're going back to school and online classes are an option I would opt for online if you can handle it.
 
I went back to school last fall after working at a dead end job for years. I had so much determination to do well, to focus, to not slack off, to make the best of my time. All of that kind of fell through by the spring quarter. Now I'm gathering the strength for a new round. I want to shine in summer quarter.
 
I went back to school last fall after working at a dead end job for years. I had so much determination to do well, to focus, to not slack off, to make the best of my time. All of that kind of fell through by the spring quarter. Now I'm gathering the strength for a new round. I want to shine in summer quarter.
 
I started last september, after being study-free for years. I work about 25-30 hours a week and have classes two evenings a week to get my bachelors. It was actually quite easy for me to get back into the study-mode again. I´m married but don´t have kids, some of my classmates do though, and they seem to do alright too. I´d say: Go for it!
 
Do like every other student that comes back to school later in life. Get study buddies and RIDE THEM TILL THEY BLEED.
 
I was doing my BSc in nursing, but had to step out because 70 hour school weeks was not working with my family commitments.

I enrolled into the RPN program and will be bridging back to the BSc once that is over.

Real life just gets in the way sometimes.
 
Why do you want to get your bachelors degree? I thought cops earned a pretty good income with relatively little education (base salary is okay but that plus ridiculous overtime hours pays a lot). Are you thinking of changing careers or are you doing it so you can earn more with the NYPD?

As to your question, no I never had to re-enroll in school and part of why I went straight through undergrad to graduate without taking a break is because all the advice I got was more or less along the lines of, "the longer you are out of school, the harder it is to go back to it." Mainly talking about going from earning a decent income to earning zero income and in some cases going into debt to go back to school by taking on loans. IMO, the social aspect of going back to school, being older, having a family, etc, doesn't matter so much, it's the fact that you won't be earning an income in that time that will put a lot of strain on you. If you are prepared to handle that or you have significant savings/scholarships to back you up, go for it. If not, reconsider your options.
 
started school while in my early 20's in the Air Force...got out at 27 wrapped my BS up at 28 and finishing my Masters right before my 30th birthday this Sept.

Totally doable, and as others have mentioned, when your older and settled down, you tend to shift focus more and are able to juggle better...
I found school easier at 25 than I did when I went to junior college right out of high school...all I did was party back then.

All in all worked out for me.
 
I am currently working and going to school at the same time. I am hoping to apply to a Masters program this Fall for next year. It has been tough, but I think part of it is attitude and a person's willingness to work hard towards their goals. As long as your family is there to support you, you'll be fine.
 
esquire said:
Why do you want to get your bachelors degree? I thought cops earned a pretty good income with relatively little education (base salary is okay but that plus ridiculous overtime hours pays a lot). Are you thinking of changing careers or are you doing it so you can earn more with the NYPD?

As to your question, no I never had to re-enroll in school and part of why I went straight through undergrad to graduate without taking a break is because all the advice I got was more or less along the lines of, "the longer you are out of school, the harder it is to go back to it." Mainly talking about going from earning a decent income to earning zero income and in some cases going into debt to go back to school by taking on loans. IMO, the social aspect of going back to school, being older, having a family, etc, doesn't matter so much, it's the fact that you won't be earning an income in that time that will put a lot of strain on you. If you are prepared to handle that or you have significant savings/scholarships to back you up, go for it. If not, reconsider your options.
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I make good money, but I feel like I need some kind of education...it just a feeling of accomplishment that I feel I haven't achieved.
 
Registered and it's complete expensive....

Why do you want to get your bachelors degree? I thought cops earned a pretty good income with relatively little education (base salary is okay but that plus ridiculous overtime hours pays a lot). Are you thinking of changing careers or are you doing it so you can earn more with the NYPD?
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exactly.
 
I'm going back in the fall. I'm taking online courses which should help things for me. I loathed college when I went the first time, but now that I'm 30 I think I have a better grasp on dealing with stuff I hate. I'm getting my degree in Sociology so I doubt I'll be getting some high paying job, but I'm going because I want to learn.
 
I'm considering it. I'm just not sure if it is necessary. I want to go into film and/or writing and I feel that in today's world it might not be needed.
 
FairyD said:
I'm considering it. I'm just not sure if it is necessary. I want to go into film and/or writing and I feel that in today's world it might not be needed.
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In creative industries such as film/writing, your work is going to be far more important than your education. Make sure you're dedicating as much time outside of school to non-academic projects (such as scripts or short-films) as your are your academic endeavors (which can also help because most film or writing schools have direct connections with producers and publishers, respectively).

Lambtron said:
I'm going back in the fall. I'm taking online courses which should help things for me. I loathed college when I went the first time, but now that I'm 30 I think I have a better grasp on dealing with stuff I hate. I'm getting my degree in Sociology so I doubt I'll be getting some high paying job, but I'm going because I want to learn.
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I loved college at 18, hated it at 20, and now miss it at 23. I hope to go back and finish my graduate studies here soon, perhaps in the fall. I just don't want to stay in Seattle, so I might have to apply at Stanford or Berkeley instead of returning to the University of Washington, which doesn't sound fun.
 
Going back full time to school this fall after working full time the last 9 years. I'm terrified and happy at the same time.
 
Was going to make a nasty comment but will hold back since you may not be one of the many horrible NYPD officers that enjoy violating people's lives with impunity. Good luck maybe you can convince any egotistical power hungry failed football players in the nypd to do the same.
 
I graduated with a nigh-useless degree back in 2004 (Political Theory... I mean, COME ON! What the hell was I thinking?) and went back to get another undergrad degree in Computer Science in 2008 after I realized I wasn't qualified to do jack shit and got sick of menial jobs (Before you ask, I thought about law school, but my lawyer sister convinced me it wasn't worth it... something I thank her for almost every time I see her).

Did it almost solely on student loans, grants and credit cards. Of course, I didn't have a family, but I did work for the entirety of my second degree.

Don't regret doing it in the least. One of the best decisions I ever made. It's a little awkward being older than most of the students, but you get over it.
 
Patryn said:
I graduated with a nigh-useless degree back in 2004 (Political Theory... I mean, COME ON! What the hell was I thinking?) and went back to get another undergrad degree in Computer Science in 2008 after I realized I wasn't qualified to do jack shit and got sick of menial jobs (Before you ask, I thought about law school, but my lawyer sister convinced me it wasn't worth it... something I thank her for almost every time I see her).
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I did the exact opposite. I did a useless degree in Computer Science, before realizing it made much more sense to do productive, useful, employable degrees in Sociology and Political Science.

Don't regret doing it in the least. One of the best decisions I ever made. It's a little awkward being older than most of the students, but you get over it.
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Absolutely. It's weird hearing 18 year olds complain about their English 101 Teacher, but once you get over that, it's intellectually very fruitful.
 
I'm 25 and I'm thinking if I should go back as well. I've been working full time for the past 2-3 years since I dropped out. My only question is when I go back this fall, I'll be 25 and wouldn't that be old and wouldn't I be getting awkward stares? I don't know. Like everyone there will either be in their early 20's or 19 / 18.

I plan to to get a degree in a business related field.

I got a question though to all of you that went back to school later in their life, was it hard making friends or getting along with the other students knowing your age and the difference?
 
FortunateSon said:
I'm 25 and I'm thinking if I should go back as well. I've been working full time for the past 2-3 years since I dropped out. My only question is when I go back this fall, I'll be 25 and wouldn't that be old and wouldn't I be getting awkward stares? I don't know. Like everyone there will either be in their early 20's or 19 / 18.

I plan to to get a degree in a business related field.

I got a question though to all of you that went back to school later in their life, was it hard making friends or getting along with the other students knowing your age and the difference?
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I'm sure some people thought it was odd, but it's really not that bad. Most people have better things to do than stare, and they really don't care that much anyways.

I didn't have that much of a problem making friends. Between my roommates in the house I was living in and the people I worked with, I made plenty of friends. I'd advise either getting a job near campus where you'll be working with other students and/or getting involved with groups if you're worried about that.

And trust me: There's really not that huge of a difference between being 25 and 18. Just know that you probably will be going to the bar less and hanging out at houses drinking more. In fact, you kind of become an asset because you can legally buy liquor.
 
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