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Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do
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How long did it take?

What did you study?

What did you struggle with?

What would you do differently?
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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How long did it take?

2 semesters

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What did you study?

Acting and creative writing.

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What did you struggle with?

Not banging smoking hot 19 year old college chicks.

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What would you do differently?

I would have banged some smoking hot 19 year old college chicks.

Civilize the mind, but make savage the body.

- Chinese proverb
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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Went back for an MBA at 30. 1 year full time programme. I already had a wife and kid at that point. It was painful financially - $35k in tuition costs + no income for a year.
I was a engineer / manager at General Electric in a fairly technical role before; after my MBA I became a management consultant. Huge improvement in job satisfaction and income.
I would not do anything differently.

Remember - It's important to be comfortable in your own skin... because it turns out society frowns on wearing other people's
Last edited by: Guffaw: Oct 11, 17 11:06
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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Went back twice. Once in early 30's and once in late 30's

How long did it take - two semesters (didn't finish)
What did you study - education
What did you struggle with - was working in school system at the time and material in college had no relevance in actual classroom. I spent my work day in the school system with 6 different teachers and that was not good enough for the mandatory observations required for the degree. I was going to have to quit my job to do full time observations. Made zero sense.
What would you do differently - nothing really, but learned I very much disliked online classes

How long did it take - one semester (strike two)
What did you study - physical therapy
What did you struggle with - my desire to continue with 3 more years of school in my late 30's when I did not "need" to.
What would you do differently - be sure I was ready to return to school for such a demanding degree. I talked to my wife, sister, parents, friends, etc and they all thought it was a great idea. I talked myself into it, but had no business going back.

At this point, I do not see myself becoming so interested in a particular degree that I would ever go back to school. I did well in school, even as an adult, but I never enjoyed it. No different now than 20+ years ago.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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Went back to chiropractic college at age 26 for a four year course. Had completed my bachelor's a few years earlier but was more interested in having fun and travelling for a few years than actually pursuing a career type job so I didn't save as much money as I should have. It wasn't that bad financially at the college as I had a good paying part time job (full time in summer) at a large hospital as an orthopedic tech. Also had a free apartment since I was superintendent in a small building. That was 1978-82. Different world today as cost of living and tuition would be much higher proportionate to wages. Chiropractic was a fairly good gig to get into back then but I wouldn't go into it today.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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How long did it take? 4 years


What did you study? MBA

What did you struggle with? Putting in 100% effort. I had full time job, wife, no kids thankfully. From the beginning it felt like if I put in any sort of effort I'd pass with pretty high marks. I had a business undergrad so it felt like the MBA was really a repeat of information. This was a night school, and most of the other students did not have business undergrads. So I excelled at that point.

What would you do differently? I'm not sure. I'm a business analyst with no desire for management. I got the MBA to bluster my resume and build contacts, meeting a few people in class got me into the company that I am at today. I'd consider doing something completely different, but once your in a field its hard to get out of it. You lose all of your experience and take a cut in pay.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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1. About 4 years
2. MS engineering
3. Time management (home & work commitments) & higher math (it's been a while)
4. Be more firm with study/research time & not find excuses to do other things

king of the road says you move too slow
KING OF THE ROAD SAYS YOU MOVE TOO SLOW
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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How long did it take?

Started in 2008 at 43 and finished in 2013.
Currently in grad school, will finish Spring 2018 (2.5 years)

What did you study?

BS Business Administration - Marketing
MPM - Project Management

What did you struggle with?

I tend to procrastinate so a lot of work gets done on the weekend instead of during the week. It is hardest to work in groups where everyone has different schedules. My current classes are online and I actually like attending classes much better.

What would you do differently?

It won't help now, I would have done it when I was younger. If possible, I would attend classes in person instead of online.

_____
TEAM HD
Each day is what you make of it so make it the best day possible.
Last edited by: TheRef65: Oct 11, 17 12:15
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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How long did it take?

4 years. School one quarter, work one quarter, repeat.
Went back at age 29 1/2. Had a physics and calculus final the day of my 30th birthday. I drank heavy that night.

What did you study?
Changed from microbiology to construction management.

What did you struggle with?
As Duffy said, I struggled with trying not to take advantage of 19 year old hot coeds.

What would you do differently?
Again with the Duffy, take more advantage of 19 year old hot coeds.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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How long did it take?

2.5 years including a placement year.

What did you study?

MBA

What did you struggle with?

The cost and weight of expectation. £20k 20 years ago. The fees were paid for a senior manager of a small company I worked for but he had a heart attack the week before the course started. I was the only other manager who met the entry criteria but was only a junior manager at that point.

What would you do differently?

Not sure, it opened a lot of doors and I met some wonderful life long friends but I already had a good degree and was a chartered accountant. I was in the right place at the right time but it was too early and I took a while to maximise the benefits.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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Andrewmc wrote:
How long did it take?

What did you study?

What did you struggle with?

What would you do differently?

In '98, at 31 years old, I stopped practicing law and went back for a degree in computer programming. I was working full time from the beginning but 2 semesters in I got a full time gig as a developer. In 2000 I also started training for triathlon. So for a period in there I was working full time, going to school full time all night Friday nights and all day Saturday, and training (the last couple months started training for an IM).

I hav no idea how I survived that time. I have no idea where the time came from. I took a semester or two off in the summers but mostly went straight through for 3+ years.

The struggle is there are only 168 hours in a week. If you work 40, sleep 56, commute 8, are in class 12+, do homework 8 - 12, get ready for work, school, bed 6, training 10, etc. time starts running really short.

Not sure what I would do differently because honestly I don't know how I pulled it off.

The problem is time and supporting yourself. Figure those out and go for it.

I'm beginning to think that we are much more fucked than I thought.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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The Army selected me to teach military history back at West Point. This requires a grad degree. So i ended up going to Texas A&M. 2 years ABD.

I loved grad school. I would lay in the back yard of our house in college station reading all manner of history (which i love) while working on my tan. My wife would come out to scold me and i'd have to tell her--"I AM 'working' and you're ruining my tan."

i worked out with the young studs and studdets on the TAMU tri team. The guys dropped me quickly as a matter of point and i routinely ended up riding with the girls (much more enjoyable anyways) who all lined up behind me when it got windy.

Felt very sorry for the regular grad school kids who were poor as church mice so when ever we went to the Dixie Chicken or Taco Cabana i bought all the beer for the crew. Even tho i was a lowly captain in the US Army i was a rich rich man compared to those poor grad school kids.

It used to humor me greatly to hear them whine about the stress and how 'hard' things were.

They'd never been in the jungle at night with bullets snapping by them.

i wouldn't do a single damn thing different. I'd go back to West Point. I'd become a infantry officer (Airborne Ranger) in the US Army. And i'd marry the same girl.

/r

Steve
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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I'm currently just starting Year 2 of a 3-year in-depth tax course (equivalent to a Masters in Tax). I typically stay after work for 1-2 hours and then do a half-day on Saturdays to keep up.

It's been hard but I enjoy learning so have surprised myself by sticking with it. I am far more disciplined now than when I was 20 and at University.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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I have a little different perspective on this question. On a part-time basis, I teach at the college level and a lot of my students are in their 30's and 40's.

The number one problem I observe is procrastination. A 19 year old can procrastinate, then pull an all-nighter. Someone that has gone back to school as an adult generally can't pull an all-nighter; the kid gets sick, the boss wants you finish a project at the same time, etc.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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Went back twice since finishing my Bachelor of Education at 25 (with a four year BSc in Physics prior to that).

Graduate Diploma in Curriculum Development
3 years (started at 34)
In my last course, there was a huge research component prior to the actual curriculum project and I delayed my research longer than I should have.

Masters in Mathematics
3 years (started at 38)
My biggest struggle with this was trying to do everything perfectly. They stressed the passing grade was 75 and anything above and beyond that was great but mostly for your own interest and since we were all working full time, to use your time accordingly. However, the assignment problems were quite enjoyable (although often frustrating) and I had a hard time not continuing to plug away at questions.

Shane
Last edited by: gsmacleod: Oct 11, 17 16:19
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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Took 3 year of night school. Studied management and technology. Company paid for school as long as grades were B and above. You struggle with not having a life. The thing I would have done differently is gone to grad school right after my undergrad was completed.

"The great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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Andrewmc wrote:
How long did it take? 2.5 years including 8 months as an intern (paid), I went back at 26 4 years after my first degree.

What did you study? my original degree was a B.Sc in Forest management, I went back for a bachelors of commerce

What did you struggle with? Being older, I wasn't old enough to hang with the really old crowd but way to old for the 18-22 year olds especially since I was married. I didn't have to many issues with procrastination but I am deadline driven

What would you do differently? not much, the time was right and I ended up with a good job after my internship. Maybe I shouldn't have taken a job 3 hours away from the wife for 8 months but we survived and it was no worse than working a day on 4 day off shift like I was.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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not really school I guess but I am currently taking a 2 month course in real estate to get my license. Going to use the license to start investing in real estate. Studying state laws, real property laws, agency, contracts and a few other topics.

Studying again at 40 sucks, glad it's only 2 months and not years.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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I went back to school at 25 to get a Bachelors in Engineering.


1. 5 years (including paid internships)
2. Mechanical Engineering
3. Higher math took some time to get back up to speed
4. I would've pursued a post grad degree
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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At the age of 47 and after a period of unemployment that lasted over a year (with some short employment stints in the interim), I decided to enroll in a coding bootcamp to learn Ruby on Rails and React/React Native. I just graduated this past Friday. I will try to find work as a junior-level software engineering/web development job here in the Sacramento area in the coming months.

---------------

Kicking butt and writing down people's names since 2001
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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Slightly different, but I sat for Level 1 of the CFA exam a few years back (I was 45 at the time). Required carving out about 3-4 hours a day of studying over the course of about 7-8 months in addition to working full-time and raising a family. I was also taking an exam prep class one night a week for about four months (I was the token old guy where everyone else was mid-late 20s) plus putting in time on the weekends. Biggest challenge initially was learning how to study all over again - I had taken other licensing exams for work (Series 7 and a few others) several years before when I first started working in financial services, but this was completely different given the volume and depth of the material. That and giving up pretty much any free time in order to study. It got to the point where by the time I sat for the exam, I had already decided not to sit for the next two levels since I knew I couldn't make the same commitment for another two years. That and I missed riding my bike.



"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler

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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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I graduated high school in 1987. I finished up my first degree in 1992, a BSc. with a major in microbiology. I started working full time in 1992. I got a BA in native studies a few years later taking night courses and distance ed. I worked full time for 25 years. I quit last year and took a year off and travelled and lived on EI and savings. Starting this September I went back to university at the age of 48 to take a 4 year Bachelor of Nursing degree. I am living in residence on campus.

The hardest part is the age difference. The courses are the easy part. I have taken all of this stuff in my other degrees. I worked in a lab for 25 years so the lab portion of these courses are also a breeze. I just don't fit in though.

Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it. John D. Rockefeller Sr.
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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I was 30 years old.

How long did it take? 2 years

What did you study? Mechanical Engineering

What did you struggle with? Money was a little tight, but not much. Also, I dumped much of my social life to focus on school.

What would you do differently? Nothing




I was fortunate that my live-in girlfriend (whom I married) did a lot to support me. I was able to take 2 classes a semester and hold a part time, almost minimum wage internship. The biggest struggle was landing good work afterward. I did, but I felt that most companies were looking for a 22 year old out of college employee, not a 32 year old. There were also some issues with expectations (only with two managers) where they saw this guy in his mid 30s and wondered why he was so bad at x, y, z, even though I was better than everyone else with teh same pay and experience.

-----------------------------Baron Von Speedypants
-----------------------------RunTraining articles here:
http://forum.slowtwitch.com/...runtraining;#1612485
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Steve Hawley] [ In reply to ]
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a friend of mine - more aquaintance, his wife and my wife are friends - retired as a major general from British Army.

He entered the army through Sandhurst at 18, so never went to Uni, he recounts going up to Cambridge for his engineering degree as a 28 year old officer on, at the time, a good salary and how relative to the other students there he was rich

A very smart man

How does the army randomly determine that one should teach history at westpoint?
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Re: Who has been back to school as an adult. What did you do [Andrewmc] [ In reply to ]
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