Depression and cycling

[Grog]

i'll be fine. i WILL be fine.

Not only you will be fine, Spazz.

You will be GREAT!

Don't worry about the age thing. Last fall I was still 26 and had students born between 1985 and 1945 in my class. (I teach in a public university - not TA, adjunct.) More and more "mature students" come back to university and the institution and teachers and younger students are adjusting (albeit slowly in some cases!). You're definitely not alone out there and they may even not notice your "difference".

Good luck, you can do it. (Check out the "hills mantra" threads and make adjustements as needed..... )

[Dogmama]

Now I'm throwing myself into the school thing... I'm 30 yrs older than most of the students; probably younger than the teachers. I'm second guessing myself.
spazzdog

I work at a major University and also attended classes. I was old enough to be their mom. There were a sprinkling of us oldsters in the class. Guess what? Nobody noticed. Kids these days are so self absorbed that they don't see much beyond their 3 foot perimeter.

Instructors love us oldsters. We are there to learn (not just "hang out" until we "discover ourselves"). We attend class, do homework and show up for the exams without a bunch of lame excuses ("my dog ate my zip drive"). They chuckle because we usually blow any grading curve sky high.

I don't know what your field is - but the more advanced your classes get, the older the student population is and the more serious the studying becomes.

You'll be great! And don't forget - you can always pull the student athlete card!

[snapdragen]

Aw spazz, look how far you've come! It's OK to be scared, heck, we're all scared, one way or another. All your TE sisters are behind you - take our strength if you need it.

Yes - you will be fine!

(((hugs)))

I want to go to school, I really do. Jeez, I'm scared...

ignore this post. i'll be fine. i WILL be fine.

spazzdog

[Roadrunner]

So, as some of you may have read in another thread, i'm returning to college full time beginning Sept.

I am, at this moment, in the thro's (how do you spell that word?) of an anxiety attack. It's 3:50 am on the east coast and i'm still awake. i've taken my meds (9:00 pm) and here i sit.



No... I'm not looking for "le petite pity party". I guess that now, with one month to go, I'm just scared. O.K. I admit and accept the fear. Now what???



ignore this post. i'll be fine. i WILL be fine.

spazzdog

Hang in there Spazzdog. Once you get there I'm sure you'll be fine. The thought is always worse than the actual doing, at least that's what I've found. The anxiety always builds it up to be more than it is.
I recently went to see Jackie Pullinger talking in St. Andrew's but by the time I got there all I could think was let me out I don't want to be here!!! (I wanted to go). Once things got going I was fine, don't let it win over you. Hang in there,Good luck with college you'll be great.

[spazzdog]

thanks grrls... today is a better day.

y'all are the best!

spazz

[Jo-n-NY]

Hi Spazz, just try real hard to begin the first day. By the end of it you will be saying to yourself, "what the heck was I afraid of." Then I am sure you will fully enjoy each and every day learning all about a whole new world.

I give you so much credit. When I graduated highschool my father (Italian) didn't find it necessary to send me to college or even a newly open Katherine Gibbs. As I took business courses in highschool that was suppose to be sufficient, just go out and get a job. So here I sit, title Senior Administrative Assist, which was once called Secretary. We are now putting my son through college. Needless to say, that will be enough money spent on schooling.

Remember to e-mail me when you find out more about your classes. This is an exciting time, try to enjoy it and not be so nervous.

~JoAnn

[Trek420]

go get 'em Spazz, I wanna come to the graduation, let us know when.

[snapdragen]

go get 'em Spazz, I wanna come to the graduation, let us know when.

Oh yes! I'm always up for a road trip!

[jeannierides]

Spazz, I so envy your grit! You are willing to put yourself out there, and that's so incredible! Don't worry about those children around you, just take the first step! You'll be great!

I love this forum! Even if we don't know each other on a personal basis, we can come together and encourage our sisters!

JoAnn, I'm from the *secretary* era as well, but I bolted a few years ago and went into sales and design (strictly commission). I just couldn't bear one more day strapped to a desk! My parents weren't willing to send us (or help) girls to college either & I put myself through a community college course...

You can do it, Spazz!!

[Pax]

Give 'em hell Spazz!!! As Dogmama said we "non-traditional" students tend to blow the curve and are appreciated by the instructors. I went back in my late 30's and did MUCH better than I did in my teens and 20's.

[Crankin]

Spazz, I have never stopped going to school... part of being a teacher. There have always been all ages of students in my classes. Granted, these were grad. classes, but in the last 2 years, most of the people have been younger than me ( a lot). I think you'll find a lot of non-traditional students at U Mass Lowell. I know several people who have gone there, all adults. You shouldn't be nervous! You are smart and as long as you stay organized, you'll be fine. Most of the undergrads there are commuters and work. From what i see, the rest leave campus on the weekends to go home. So, I would say that even the younger students are juggling a lot of responsibilities.

[maryellen]

hey Spazz, hang tough or at least through those moments of anxious uncertainty. Older students are the best!

Maryellen

[bikerz]

Hey Spazz -
I suffer from anxiety also - for me the fear and anxiety are tough, and then the beating myself up for being so anxious can be tougher! One new thing I'm trying these days is to think of the gentle encouragement, support and understanding I'd offer an anxious friend, and turn around and offer that to myself. I think it's helping. Oh yeah, and don't forget to breathe!

[SadieKate]

Oh, spazz. I'm thinking of you. I just got around to reading this due to the stuff I mentioned before. You'll be fine once you get the first foot in the classroom. Think of all the life experience and knowledge you'll be bringing with you. The kiddies won't have any of this.

Exercise helps me the best with insomnia but I sure can't say I've found the wonder cure for it. I almost have to force myself to think only of the good stuff and get pretty forceful with my subconscious, not the easiest thing.

Hang tough. You've already made the first and biggest step.

SK

Something to make you laugh - just picture soon-to-be 46 yr old me (and 56 yr old Bubba) on our triple crankset roadbikes on the time trial course with the college kiddies who had fancy TT bikes and still don't know how to spell FAT. Geez. But I learned lots and that's what its all about.

[pkq]

Thought you girls might find this interesting.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060106/...ession_protein