Back to school -- Advice for an adult student?

[Synful Pryde]

Hi there!

Several years ago i graduated from a university with a B.A. in Japanese. I spent the next few years working in Japan as an English teacher, eventually returning to the US with the desire to continue my education. When i came back to the US last December, i thought i wanted to get a master's degree in Japanese with a focus on simultaneous interpretation...

... but then everything changed. I stumbled onto some popular science somewhere on the internet, and since then i've been devouring everything i can find, from pop science articles to published research papers (the latter with a looming feeling of being overwhelmed, might i add). It started with cosmology and astrophysics, chemistry and geology, and then finally biology.

When i was younger, i always considered myself less of a maths- and science-minded person and more of an arts-minded one. I could recognize the beauty and perfection of mathematics, and the allure of investigating the world with the scientific method, but i always figured, "Well, i'm just not suited for those things."

I no longer think so, and after months of thought, i've applied to take fundamental coursework in biology starting in the spring. I need to keep working, of course, to pay the bills and tuition, but i'm hoping to get the ball rolling for a B.S. in biology in the next several years. After that... well, anything could happen at this point, considering how much things have changed in the past year! but at the moment i'm thinking graduate school, or straight into lab work if money's too tight.

My question is -- for those of you who have returned to a college or university as a working adult -- what kind of advice would you give to someone following a similar path? Were there any obstacles or advantages that you hadn't expected? Any pitfalls to avoid, or opportunities to pursue?

Many thanks in advance!

Syn

 

[sasaxrah]

I am currently taking 3 classes while working full-time - two night classes that meet once a week for 3.5 hours each, and one class that meets Sunday morning at 8:30 for almost 4 hours. I also did half of my master's while working full-time.

It's really really tough because usually, I feel like I am either at work or in class. I'm lucky in that my current classes don't require a lot of outside work, but if they did, I'd be spending most of my free time at home on homework.

My advice is to do what you have to do, keeping in mind everything is temporary. Don't avoid going out with friends, and make sure you get enough sleep.

 

[kis123]

I'm not sure how old you are or how long you've been out of school. But my best advice for you would be to take it slowly; too much too soon could be very discouraging.

I worked, went to school, and still was raising my children when I went for my Bachelors. I got my degree at age 41, then went back to get my Masters two years later. Now that was really hard......but I got through it.

One of the things that kept me going was being here on TMF. There are many smart and educated people who can help you when you get stuck; I had one member bail me out of a finance class when my tutor quit (because his wife was jealous). I never woud've finished grad school without him.

I had others just offer encouragement, and all offered breaks from the grind that school, work, and parenthood bring.

I wish you great success in going back to school. I know nothing about science but am a good listener. Feel free to PM me if you like.

 

[usgrant]

Don't get too far ahead of the school work and don't let the school work get too far ahead of you.

 

[Synful Pryde]

My advice is to do what you have to do, keeping in mind everything is temporary. Don't avoid going out with friends, and make sure you get enough sleep.

Thank you for your advice! And best of luck with your studies, as well 🙂

I'm not sure how old you are or how long you've been out of school. But my best advice for you would be to take it slowly; too much too soon could be very discouraging. (snip)

I wish you great success in going back to school. I know nothing about science but am a good listener. Feel free to PM me if you like.

Thank you kindly. I'm taking only eight credits worth of courses for my first semester back, so hopefully that will be light enough! I also appreciate your sharing of your own experience with this, and the offer of your ear. I may take you up on that 😉

Don't get too far ahead of the school work and don't let the school work get too far ahead of you.

I think i worry more about the latter than the former, HA! but you're right -- balance is key. Thank you!

 

[WorkInProgress]

As long as you're motivated, you'll be fine. My older students do just as well as my younger ones, sometimes better.

 

[Synful Pryde]

I'm feeling pretty motivated at the moment -- excited about school for pretty much the first time! Now i just have to work to maintain that 🙂 Thanks for your post, WorkInProgress!