I went back to school after a 13 year gap. I had my bachelors degree finished in the standard 4 years after high school, but the last year things were falling apart pretty badly. I was trying to do too much at once - 2 majors, a minor, departmental honors program, plus I was a newlywed, working on starting a goat dairy, and pregnant. I had always wanted to go into psychology, but gave that up in my first year because a professor said you shouldn't go into psychology if you have your own problems. I liked psychology though, and kept taking psych classes, and wound up with a dual major. My other major was communicative disorders, and throughout that program they emphasized that you can't do anything with a bachelor's degree. When I didn't get into graduate school in speech pathology, I gave up on anything, and didn't finish one of my classes, so even though I walked across the stage, my degree didn't get awarded. I had always counted on a professional career, and I was completely lost.

Twelve years later, things had generally just been getting worse for me (mentally, anyway) and I had a particularly bad depressive episode, and felt guilty for not being able to just handle it myself, especially since I had the equivalent of a bachelor's degree in psychology, and I thought I ought to be able to handle it. That was when I read a book (or two) that both reminded me that I had wanted to be a psychologist, and also gave me hope tha maybe I wouldn't be automatically disqualified.

The next fall, I went back to school. In order to get into graduate school I needed current references, and current experience - basically some evidence that I could still do it. I wasn't close enough to the main campus to have the experience of attending classes and interacting with other students much - I took classes online and one that was broadcast by satellite, but I was the only one who attended at my location. In the Spring I had a bit more interaction with other students. I'm envious of those of you who are having an on-campus experience, because I feel that I missed out last year. Through the entire fall semester, and part of spring, I still couldn't concentrate well enough to read books, but I forced myself anyway, and even got A's.

I had such a rotten attitude about college right up until I decided to go back. I was continuously telling people that it wasn't worth it - didn't do me any good - all I had to show for it was more student loan debt after 12 years out of school than my lifetime earnings. But I'm glad that I went back and finished, and I can't wait until I can try graduate school. I applied that first year that I was back in school, and didn't get in, but didn't apply this year because I'm back in therapy again, and T said I should work on my own stuff first. I'm hoping for next year though. Right now I'm working in my field, at jobs that don't require a bachelors degree, and don't pay any more for having it, but it's good experience and I am learning a lot.

As for testing out of some of the requirements, there are ways you can get some credits that way, like by taking CLEP or Advanced Placement exams, or by passing an upper division class in a subject, sometimes you will be allowed to buy the credit for the lower division classes that are relevant (particularly in languages, and math I think). That will all vary depending on your school's policies, so ask an advisor or enrollment counselor there.

Good luck! You can do it!
Rap