Kudos to getting another degree later in life

[shootingstar]

Maybe I'm lazy or tired or don't know what I want:

I'm just impressed by a good friend whom I've known for nearly past 30 yrs. We graduated together and kept in touch since then.

@52 yrs., she's onto her 2nd Master's degree and working like fiend on coursework, meanwhile holding down a full time job. It's a good time, since her only child is now an adult and away from home.

At this time and for awhile, I just don't have the drive to pursue yet another full-fledged university degree. Evening courses here and there, do interest me. (I'm still hunting for a good fit for waht I need job-wise.)

[Crankin]

It really wasn't that difficult, Shooting Star.
Yes, I complained, but all grad students complain about their work. Happy to be done, but I started at age almost 55 and finished at 57. I was not the oldest person in my program and at the same time there were 2 students who had been in my older son's high school class!

[malkin]

I have considered an additional certification that would be useful. It is only about 6 courses, plus a zillion hours of supervised practice. The work doesn't scare me off, but the local, state programs are limited in size and only start every two years. The private (for profit) ones would cost about $25,000 which I would be unlikely to make up in compensation--even if I work until I am 80 years old.

So, considered aaaand rejected.

[ACG]

I am 50 and working on my bachelor's.
I'm a much better student that when I was 18.

[GLC1968]

I went back for a master's at about 30 (and ended up with a second bachelor's as well) and while it was challenging to manage everything, the school work actually felt easier. I think I just had 1) better study habits and 2) a real sense of WHY I was back in school which made it feel easier than it did at 18-22. I was no where near the oldest in my classes either. I felt quite 'average' in terms of age, actually.

My husband did the same thing - got his masters at 37, I think (maybe 38) and felt the same way. Now I'm back in the university setting all the time and I'm tempted to go back once more!

Personally, I think you get more out of your education as an adult with more world-experience than you do as a traditional aged student. Of course, had you told me that at 22, I would have said that was bull-poop.

[shootingstar]

I totally agree that older students with work experience of several years, have better study habits and are more focused: you know what you want to get out of the educational program.

I have my undergrad and master's already. So right now I couldn't even think of the cost if I footed the entire tuition.

My reality is paying off a home mortgage before I retire. So no matter what educational aspirations I have now and later, that reality must be worked in too.

Not that I'm complaining: I've learned so much from my jobs and have taken alot for granted at times, until that knowledge gets "tested" /used in another environment/with different employers.