Going back to school in your 30s

Anybody have any experience with this? I’m having trouble getting back into the swing of things and finding motivation.

I went back at age 29. I am almost 34 now, and need to do 1.5 more years. Then PhD.

I feel I missed my first childhood. Almost no partying or hanging out with friends, doing fun stuff. I am a shallow sleeper and I like to sleep in the cold so I open my window always. Every second evening I sleep shallow so that I wake up at least once because students are cycling past my apartment after they returned from a party. They are so happy, or drunk, or it is a guy and a girl having a nice evening. I am usually alone, as I don't like strangers and I like to keep most people strangers and people don't go out of their way to become friends with me. So at those moments it hits me the most.

I had tons of motivation to study, as this was my final chance at life. I couldn't work a ordinary day job, ever. But student life going past me keeps annoying me. I am like basically only studying. So if this keeps up, in 6 years I will have done a PhD, just finishing up a postdoc of 2 years in some country I never would want to live in permanently. And then I will be returning to my own country, no permanent job, entering industry at age 43, all shallow friendships I did have watered down by two years of time. What then?

I do feel that on a daily basis, I forget how much older I am than my fellow students. And they don't always realize how old I am. I don't know how it feels for them, because if you are 21, 13 years is a lot. I feel they also kind of forget, most of the time.

But then again, there's more things strange about me than just my age.

@Talthybius---CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! A Ph.D!!!! I am 52 and I would like to go back to school and take some classes simply for myself.

If you are going back to school to obtain a better job, I'd say go for it. However, if you are going back to school for other reasons, then hopefully you have the means to pay for it all. I went to college and professional graduate school for about 10 years and did not gain any on-the-job experience during these 10 years. Looking back, I'd rather have worked after undergrad and gained work experience. Going to school is not the same as working in the real world. I wasted much money and accumulated a lot of debt. I fortunately paid it all back but am not using my education currently in my job. I am teaching English as a second language. I did not need a professional graduate degree to do this. So, finding a job that you like may not come from your education but from working. I like languages and realized this after I started teaching. If you don't have a college degree yet, then I would encourage you to earn one. But, besides that, I don't recommend further education unless you want to specialize in an area that is in high demand for a job. I don't know your background. May be, you are from an affluent family and don't need to work. However, most people need to work and in my experience, education is not just about going to school but also about learning on the job.

I knew someone who went back to school at the age of 60.

so don't feel embarrassed.

((((((hugs)))))

I am 57 this year in Feb and just recieved my Bachelors Degree!!! It was a lot of work but worth it. now i need to see if i can put it to work.

I went back to school at 60...age is irrelevant.

I'm 32 and going back to school this year. It's been really hard because I have to juggle work and school, and because I got so used to being an adult in charge of my schedule and my life and I find it very difficult to sit exams and get grades and be judged on my performances.

I don't have a magic formula, I find focusing on the goal helps a lot, and having a good support network around me. I try to set aside time to study but it's really hard - housework, actual paying work, bills... It all takes so much time !

I'm not quite as old, but all my friends have already graduated and have moved on to those big fancy careers. It can be intimidating (for me at least!) but I try to take comfort in knowing that I'm better equipped in my mental health and that my life is better settled. This means that I will better be able to focus on school.

Motivation does concern me, but I am trying to balance my work load and classes so I take all my pre-requisites but no semester is too difficult (in theory at least). I also try to keep to a consistent schedule. Keep a calendar and write out any deadlines and exams in one places. This way you can determine what needs to be a priority without too much thought.

Check to see if your campus offers any resources! Maybe there are study groups for your courses? This keeps you engaged and is also a good way to break into some social circles.

Best of luck!

I obtained my bachelor degree when I was 37. Good luck, I did it to see if I still could use my brain after a break. I wish I would have been wiser and did better on my GPA.

Honestly I went back to school when i was 32, and graduated. I thought it would such a challenge because of my bipolar madness and being on medication more than worrying about my age.

Like others have said, many people have gone back to school at any age, so don't let that stop you!

Good luck!

I'm 52 and went back to college last year. This time it's for my own satisfaction.

When I was in the military I was working on a computer science degree but having to move and change schools (with different requirements) was a major pain. I didn't finish that degree and kind of glad I didn't, but now I have few job skills and college is harder for me now.

I wanted to go back to school, but I am the sort of person who can't even do their taxes, so I don't think I would be able to justify doing a degree.

I procrastinate a lot, but I would like to be better educated. My record at school is terrible though, just barely passing. I'm 39 now.

You can do it! Im 30 just enrolled in a bachelors degree. I also had a bad record with schools. I moved away from a stressful city, on better medication, try to keep daily routine and schedule, and I finally feel like NOW is my time. Also I want to note its 100% ONLINE. This makes it even easier for me to manage and eliminates classroom and testing anxiety. So I would really recommend online for people with challenges and a bit older than the college crowd.

I returned to school last fall at the age of 39. Most of my classmates are between 20 - 25, so I feel out of place. There are a few older classmates which has helped me feel a bit more comfortable. Usually I just keep to myself, attend classes and leave. It isn't a big issue, since I have friends outside of class.

Sometimes it is very hard to stay motivated. I have a lot against me, especially since I am the only female in the program. A few times I have wanted to quit, but I seem to always tough it out. My talent in the trade keeps me going.

My post secondary record is terrible as well. I'm embarrassed about my transcript and the three programs I have attempted about a decade ago. I ended up leaving all of them, because they were a very poor fit. Actually I've never had any success in anything except for the obscure trade I was working in.

For all those people who went back at a later age, I am curious what you experienced in terms of friendship or friendship attempts from fellow students.

It has me confused, for sure. For example, suddenly people I didn't expect to be friends go on holiday together. I wonder where these friendships start developing. And why those people, and not someone else.

And what is the attitude of those 20-someting year olds. Do they consider you as a potential friend? How? How not?

If that's really the case, you can follow a course on doing taxes. I'm serious. A 4-year degree is a big step, but a 'basic' course - doing taxes, or programming 101, getting your First Aid certificate, philosophy, foreign language - in something you find interesting, can get you back into the swing of things. It's also 'lower threshold' and not 40 hours a week.
Or a single course of a full degree?

I am in 'adult education high school' although I think my oldest classmate is 23 or something. (I turn 21 next month) However, I do day classes. Most older people go to evening classes. There's some mothers/fathers or people with a day job that need more education in order to promote. Military people. Once or twice a father and son doing one or two subjects together.

As for befriending a 40-year-old in class: I'm not good at approaching strangers. And making friends is not my primary motivation at school. But that's with all my classmates.
That said, if you were to sit down next to me and we get along: sure. If you can see me as an equal, and not as a 'I have a child your age'.

You might also be surprised at the fun you can have with teachers. They might not be your friend, but in adult education, the boundaries are less strict. You can tease them and they tease right back. In the beginning of the school year, when I didn't know anyone yet, that was enough to make me feel comfortable, welcomed, not-alone. In some classes I often sit alone; still I don't feel left out, because the teachers are just that little bit looser. And because there is no bullying (it's not allowed either, after one warning you're kicked out. If it's severe you won't even get that warning) I don't mind sitting or walking alone. (If you're getting bullied, sitting alone is screaming you have no friends, which means they'll target you even more. In that case sitting next to an indifferent classmate is actually preferable.

I tend to gravitate towards adults anyway.. have all my life. Because no fellow 8-year-old had ever heard of liberal and conservative, and I wanted to discuss the newspaper. *shrug* So as long as I am not looked down on because of my age, I won't mind your age.

That's not bad at all! I've always admired some of my classmates that were veterans. The class becomes more meaningful with their input.

I started school at 60....my fellow students treated me just like one of them....and because I feel 20, it was a fun experience.

Same here. Went back at 40. Had a blast, made excellent grades, best years of my life.

Mature aged study is Fabulous...you will have the time of your life.

i just finished my Bachelor in Arts this year and feel so good if i'm feeling bad i just look at my degree in a frame on my piano. It makes me feel good.

I'm in my 30s and am a year away from getting my bachelors of science degree! It's been tough because of the age difference of most of my peers and it got disheartening at times. But I'm so close! I'm debating on continuing to get my masters degree.

What is your study?

I studied Arts and Sciences in General Studies with minor in helping the elderly.

Hello there,

I’m 42 years young and I’m studying for my GRE. I would like to get my masters degree.