Too late to go back?

I have been out of high school for 10 years now. I nearly have 3 different degrees: marketing, graphic design, and fashion merchandising (I kept changing my mind about what to major in, and changing schools). However, I've never been able to finish any one of them. The problem is my lack of follow-through.

Any class work that I complete, I generally get As and Bs, good grades and pass every class that I attend. The problem is my attendance. Because of the demands of my job, and because of financial strain, I've been having to put work over school.

Another huge part of it, is that I get depressed and get very down on myself. If I miss a couple of classes, I get scared to return to that class and I end up just not going anymore. I go to a small school, so after failing a few courses due to attendance, I am afraid to go back in pursuit of finishing one of my degrees.

If I go back now, I will have so much to prove to the staff, teachers, and myself. It makes me self conscious being one of the oldest people in my class too. I've been depressed over other issues in my life right now, and i'm not sure I have the motivation to follow through this time and finish. But I also would love to finish my education and get into a different line of work (currently in retail).

Anyone else have trouble with depression interfering with school work that they are more than capable of doing? I was an honors student and did so well in high school. I don't know what's wrong with me now. I can't hold myself accountable and make grown-up decisions, and that is depressing!

I find that yes, depression plays a role for me, but there is also an intense a anxiety that congress in as well. I have only started going back to school, but the level of expectation I have placed on myself is very high, so I get frustrated and discouraged easily at times. It has caused me to take an extended break from classes and thinking of switching schools when I have a great opportunity when I currently am at.

I find there is always something admirable with people who choose to go back to school at an older age, simply because they lend so much to the classroom experience with their personal experiences. There is no shame, but I can understand and relate to your fears, being in somewhat of a similar situation myself.

Start small and don't overwhelm yourself. One or two classes to get your feet wet should help build confidence and bring down the fears a bit. Keep things simple for yourself and see where it takes you.

It's never too late. It might not be easy but I think it would be well worth it in the end.

I would find an online school to finish one or more of the degrees from so you did not have to worry so much about time and what you think teachers will think, etc. and could do things on your own. That's how I got my second degree. Age has nothing to do with school anymore; I'm 63 and in a year-long diploma course at the moment.

Agreed, it's definitely never too late. I also think you should look into online options -- the school you're going to now might have online courses. I also think taking one class in person is a good idea, perhaps a class that meets only once a week or at night. Online courses take the anxiety out of missing class, whereas having one in-person class gives you the opportunity to build success and break the cycle a bit. Reward yourself when you make it to class, and try not to stress when you miss. Focus on the positive, not the negative. Easier said than done, I know.

Also, remember to focus on yourself, not one what other people might be thinking about you. I know how hard that is, but what they think doesn't really matter. They don't know you or what's going on in your life and it's none of their business. You're doing the best you can and that's all that matters.

Good luck. Just keep pluggin' away, you'll get there. Persistence does pay off.