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Is it too late to start college?

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Question - (3 December 2014) 10 Answers - (Newest, 23 May 2015)
A female United States age 36-40, *rixy22 writes:

I just turned 30. Is it dumb of me to start college now? i feel old and i also know that if i don't do this no company will even consider me until i have a degree. i just hope i am making the right decision. 5 years of school is a long time at my age and it scares me that it wont pay off. and being stuck with loan debt doesn't sound too great either.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (23 May 2015):

i'm 27 and seeing some of the answers here were inspiring

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (4 December 2014):

My mum is 46 and in the first year of her degree! It is NEVER too late for something new. Embrace it, don't try to fit in just be yourself, enjoy the learning process and chances are you will meet other mature students too. Good luck!

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A female reader, So_Very_Confused United States +, writes (4 December 2014):

So_Very_Confused agony auntIT is NEVER too late to go to college.

I went for 3.5 years after high school then dropped out and got married and became a SAHM.

Once i was 29 and went back to work full time I also FINISHED my degree part time. IT took me 23 years total to finish it and I was 31 when I graduated from college finally.

DO IT!

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A male reader, EdgarCarney United States +, writes (4 December 2014):

No its never to be late to start college go on a href="http://www.articlesnatch.com"article sntach/a to read good article about them

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (4 December 2014):

Definitely not. I went back to college at 31. Am 35 now and still getting through it - but I honestly think it's never too late to go back to study. I have plenty of colleagues who are older than me. Do it!

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A male reader, Forge United States +, writes (4 December 2014):

Forge agony auntMy dad started college at 41, so don't think it's too late.

You've still got a LOT of time.

Go for it :)

-Førg€

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (4 December 2014):

I don't think it's dumb, and no you are never too old to go get educated. The smartest people in the world are constantly learning and getting educated, often through continuing education, auditing a class in college, reading a book, whatever. In fact, it would make you stupid to think you are ever too old to get educated.

So of course go for it, but you should be practical about it. If money is an issue, which I assume it is as you mention loan debt, then shop for schools that are inexpensive, like state schools, where you won't be up to your neck in debt. There is also lots of money out there for people like you to take advantage of, scholarship and grants, which will further bring your expenses down. So do your research. Apply for anything and everything you may be applicable for (even if you embellish the truth a little, EVERYBODY does). Everybody who wants one deserves an education, not just those who are lucky enough to afford it, so do not be shy about taking advantage of FREE money out there you can use to fund your studies. I have a friend who put on his college application that he is "native American." He marked that completely by accident! At 17 he genuinely thought he was a "native American" because he is native to America. So he ended up getting FULL scholarships to some of the most competitive universities in the country.

I'm not telling you to lie, just showing you an example of how much easier it is than people think to get FREE financial help in college.

And five years sounds unrealistic, unless you are getting into a specialized degree like engineering, which actually is a five year program. But just a BA or BS, a lot of people get their bachelors degree in just three and a half years. As long as you are there to do the work and not goof off, you can have your degree in under four years.

One important word of advice though to make sure that if you do go back to school it does pay off. Don't just get a degree just to have one. Focus on a degree that is specialized, such as engineering, education, accounting, nursing. One that upon graduating you will immediately have a title, per se, and a SPECIFIC line of work that you can get a job in that you will have a specialty in. That will make the transition from college to the work force so much easier with more focus.

OR focus on a subject you are passionate about. Maybe finance, political science, whatever. Subjects like these might be a little vaguer than graduating with a specialty but if its a subject you have serious passion about, thats not a complete bullshit subject but is not fully specialized either, that passion will make the transition to the workforce easier.

What I'm trying to get you to avoid is the mistake so many college kids make. They go into college fresh out of high school, with no clue what they want to do, and so they get a GENERAL degree. They study everything under the sun, complete the 120 credit hours, and graduate a hell of a lot smarter but with NO preparation for any specific line of work.

Im guilty of this. I have a BA in humanities. Its been five years since I graduated and still have no clue what I want to do. Amidst bouts of unemployment, my most challenging job has been as a waitress. One of my friends got a degree in classical civilization. He works at a deli slicing meat. We are examples of people who got GENERAL bullshit degrees just to have a degree perhaps thinking that alone opens doors and it really doesn't.

Avoid doing this at all costs. If you go to college be smart about it. Go there with a focus and more importantly a PLAN. Go in there knowing WHY you are there, what you plan to do and how what you are doing is going to help you at graduation. Get in a field that is SPECIFIC. A degree that will prepare you for a SPECIFIC line of work.

And that's it. That's the key to success in college. I've given you very valuable advice.

And good luck to you. I hope you do take advantage of what could possibly be an amazing opportunity for you.

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A female reader, anonymous, writes (4 December 2014):

It's never late to go to college and get education. And it always pays off. Just make sure you pick a major you really like. And there are people of different ages in college and no one cares how old you are. The time also passes very fast while in school, you learn so many great things, you meet so many great people. I'd say it's a great idea!!! I am 25 years old, and I still have at least 6 years of school and I love every moment of it :)

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A reader, anonymous, writes (4 December 2014):

You can start at a community college which is a lot cheaper and work while you get your degree, no loans. You are never too old. My mother went back to school much later in life and was hired for a full time position after.

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A reader, anonymous, writes (4 December 2014):

That is an absolutely wonderful idea! You can start with an Associates Degree. There are people much older than you attending college my friend! Don't discourage yourself or look for excuses. DO IT! You said it yourself, no company will even touch you without a degree!

Best of luck!

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