Going back to school at 26...

[PhillyB]

34 minutes ago, Pantha-kun said:

How did you finance getting a 2nd Bachelors? I'm about to start my master's program in October ,but I could only get financial aid for a masters degree. Was told that I'd have to get something other than loans or pay my own way to get a 2nd bachelors. 

worked 60-80 hours a week through a research intensive undergrad and master's program. not recommended but i graduated without a dime of debt and put my ex wife through both her degrees as well 

[Pantha-kun]

1 minute ago, PhillyB said:

worked 60-80 hours a week through a research intensive undergrad and master's program. not recommended but i graduated without a dime of debt and put my ex wife through both her degrees as well 

When did you find the time to sleep ? it sounds like you had a family as well? 

[PhillyB]

13 minutes ago, Pantha-kun said:

When did you find the time to sleep ? it sounds like you had a family as well? 

i didn't sleep or have a life and after my wife graduated and landed a six figure job she bought a new car, started seeing other dudes, and bounced. so i don't recommend it

[Raskle]

29 minutes ago, PhillyB said:

i didn't sleep or have a life and after my wife graduated and landed a six figure job she bought a new car, started seeing other dudes, and bounced. so i don't recommend it

Ouch.. that's just flat out cold of her. Sorry to hear, but you're better off without, I'm sure.

[Dex]

16 hours ago, Pantha-kun said:

I agree with  the general consensus of the thread. Its really never too late to go back to school if you can find a way to pay for it.  I think many of us have been conditioned to be hyper aware of our age and a "social" clock in which we have to accomplish certain things in our life by certain ages, and if we don't it's too late to change and may as well stay in that position. It's pretty stressful and doesn't just apply to jobs and education like we're talking about. For example you might have family members complaining that you're single with no kids in your 30s. Its sad but most of us probably dont even realize we think we have to get certain things done by certain times , and if we fail to do it by certain age milestones alot of people get depressed and feel like they already failed and can't redeem themselves after they've gotten "too old." Or  just resign themselves to some sort of pre-determined fate that they'll have a crappy existence for most of their lives and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy and you get stuck in the same borderline min-wage position for your whole adult life. 

Its also made worse by the fact that we spend so much time on social media observing other people's lives. Its possible that your facebook is just flooded with people getting great jobs, getting married, having kids, finishing degrees, and whatnot, this paints an unrealistic picture in your mind you are "behind" everyone else like its a race to see who can be the happiest and most successful person the fastest. What you don't see that much is people losing jobs, or divorcing, breaking up, usually people are more prone to share positive things in their life to the world to brag/get compliments but they'll usually keep the failures and mistakes to themselves or only tell people close to them in private. 

In reality, its never really too late to learn or too late to be successful. I have a family member that always posts these inspirational videos about successful people that had a pretty hard time in the first half or so of their life but later found motivation, meaning, happiness, or invented something cool, became famous, or something like that much later than life than is generally expected from our culture. 

awesome post thank you for sharing. You're absolutely right about social media I was a much happier person when I wasn't using it.

[Peppers90 NC]

On 8/3/2017 at 9:20 AM, Dex said:

Hey everyone, I've been toying with the notion for a while but I think I'm finally ready to go back. I currently hold an associate's degree in Multimedia Studies but want to go back to get my BS in Finance. I currently work full time and am in the process of buying my first home so I know it's going to be a struggle. But I'm not happy with my life nor have I been for a while. Thoughts? Advice? Things to consider at my age when it comes to returning to school? Adult grants? etc.

Are you a creative? I cant imagine going in to finance as a creative so dont do it because it sounds like more money unless youre really interested in it or have some insight. If anything, continue to build on your creative background.

[Dex]

1 hour ago, Peppers90 NC said:

Are you a creative? I cant imagine going in to finance as a creative so dont do it because it sounds like more money unless youre really interested in it or have some insight. If anything, continue to build on your creative background.

I'm very creative but I also love math and economics and analyzing trends. Finance seems like a safe major. Any other suggestions because most "Art" degrees aren't worth poo.

[Peppers90 NC]

31 minutes ago, Dex said:

I'm very creative but I also love math and economics and analyzing trends. Finance seems like a safe major. Any other suggestions because most "Art" degrees aren't worth poo.

If you love those things and are good at them, you can always benefit from a creative problem-solving approach that might help you stand out. As far as art degrees, it's all about what you put into them and how dedicated you are in your craft. You can always grow from where you are now but analyzing trends can be very beneficial especially in branding, marketing and advertising. Agencies are generally fun to work at but some have stability issues.

Only reason I asked was because I tried that approach right out of high school and failed before I realized that the creative field is what came naturally to me and most creatives I know arent really good at that stuff.

[Dex]

3 minutes ago, Peppers90 NC said:

If you love those things and are good at them, you can always benefit from a creative problem-solving approach that might help you stand out. As far as art degrees, it's all about what you put into them and how dedicated you are in your craft. You can always grow from where you are now but analyzing trends can be very beneficial especially in branding, marketing and advertising. Agencies are generally fun to work at but some have stability issues.

Only reason I asked was because I tried that approach right out of high school and failed before I realized that the creative field is what came naturally to me and most creatives I know arent really good at that stuff.

I have both a creative and analytical mind. I think I'll be alright I see where you're coming from though. I like having structure and steady income and a lot of times in the creative field those things are lacking.

[Peppers90 NC]

Just now, Dex said:

I have both a creative and analytical mind. I think I'll be alright I see where you're coming from though. I like having structure and steady income and a lot of times in the creative field those things are lacking.

Indeed, I know the feeling as I have freelanced in the past and it has its ups and nots. I just hope for your sake that you dont bore yourself but as long as you do it because you genuinely enjoy it, you will be good. 

[Dex]

Just now, Peppers90 NC said:

Indeed, I know the feeling as I have freelanced in the past and it has its ups and nots. I just hope for your sake that you dont bore yourself but as long as you do it because you genuinely enjoy it, you will be good. 

For my sake I hope I enjoy it too. At least I'll have a good degree at the end of the day and be more employable than I am now.

[heel31ok]

On 8/9/2017 at 1:49 PM, Dex said:

I'm very creative but I also love math and economics and analyzing trends. Finance seems like a safe major. Any other suggestions because most "Art" degrees aren't worth poo.

What do you love...

[donttreadonme]

I started going back last year at 24 after only having about 9 credit hours. 

I'm now about to turn 26 and I plan to have my BSBA from WCU by the Fall of '19. I feel way behind, and I am, but I do not regret going back.

I am self funding my education, but I will say this about employee reimbursement programs. Make sure you are aware of the terms and conditions before you sign up for it. I initially went this route with my employer, but stopped this year due to some changes they made. The big one was that you had to agree to stay with the company for 30 months after completion (it was only 12). I totally understand why, bu I'm trying to earn a degree to get the hell out of there!

I only make around 50K a year, which is plenty for me. I am not a materialistic person at all, though I do enjoy traveling. My job allows me to take one or two big trips a year which is great, but I do not want to be stuck in sales for the rest of my life.

I am also considering joining the National Guard to help pay. IDK if that is a good idea or not, but we shall see.

[PanthaSan]

As everyone else said, it's never too late.

I went to college at 28 with a young family.  Luckily, my employer paid 76% of tuition and books because it was considered job related.  I was working as a City Electrician and was going for my BSEE.  It was hard but I had a great support system.  

Do it now, before you lose the motivation.