Returning to finish college

[TechHead87]

Long story short, my first time in college didn't work out so well. Now I'm 26 years old, and returning this fall.

I'm anxious to get in class, but the long lines & run-around by the faculty is NOT something I'm looking forward to.

Any serious advice is GREATLY appreciated.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Take a deep breath and relax. You have a major advantage over the kids straight out of high school in that you know the work that it takes, what direction you want to go in and, have the maturity not to get side tracked by booze, babes and bros.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Just graduated (i'm 26). Did an 8 year stint to get my bachelors. After I grew up and got passed the bullsh!t, the academic part wasn't that tough. It was actually somewhat of a competitive event where I felt like I lost if I didn't get the highest grade in the class on each exam. It wasn't hard either, just a bunch of work.

The main thing is to really buckle down and get your ass together. Picture the entire thing as some sort of competition and let that competitive spirit drive you to A's. They aren't hard to get, just take some work (i.e. reading the damn book and working the problems). If you read the chapters before class you are waaaaaay ahead of every else and will absolutely blow them away on the tests. It just takes study time.

Mind you I finished my major (finance) while working full time and being married and raising kids. Not easy, but just requires excellent time management skills (which is half the skills you need to succeed in anything).

Good luck. It's not hard just stick to it.

 

[Hacp]

Make sure you don't go to a CC. Their classes are probably overfilled and you won't ever be able to register for anything. Read about it on the Times.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I'm doing this now. It sucks but now I'm completely done with anything remotely general ed so it's getting a lot easier since the bullshit courses are out of the way. My biggest advice is get double/triple confirmation on ANYTHING anybody tells you regarding graduation requirements, necessary classes, transfers, etc. My stupid CC lost some math credit transfers which they had previously confirmed they had and it set me back a whole semester on transfers. Moral of the story is double check everything because these little shit holes are pretty inept.

 

[Hacp]

I'm doing this now. It sucks but now I'm completely done with anything remotely general ed so it's getting a lot easier since the bullshit courses are out of the way. My biggest advice is get double/triple confirmation on ANYTHING anybody tells you regarding graduation requirements, necessary classes, transfers, etc. My stupid CC lost some math credit transfers which they had previously confirmed they had and it set me back a whole semester on transfers. Moral of the story is double check everything because these little shit holes are pretty inept.

Yo nice nose.

 

[TechHead87]

Why are college faculty/staff so inept? I've never understood this.

And how in God's name do they constantly lose important info like credits/financial aid info??

 

[CRXican]

I'm doing this now. It sucks but now I'm completely done with anything remotely general ed so it's getting a lot easier since the bullshit courses are out of the way. My biggest advice is get double/triple confirmation on ANYTHING anybody tells you regarding graduation requirements, necessary classes, transfers, etc. My stupid CC lost some math credit transfers which they had previously confirmed they had and it set me back a whole semester on transfers. Moral of the story is double check everything because these little shit holes are pretty inept.

Good advice. I dd the 18-22 stint and finished in 4 years. It was hard work making sure I got the right classes and I graduated with the exact number of units required.

I think I had to take two summer classes at the end to make it happen but was happy I did.

 

[akshatp]

Sounds like me OP. My first stint at college right out of HS didnt go so well, I got blown away by the partying, freedom, etc. Ended up leaving school at the age of 20 with a horrid 1.1 GPA and found a job in IT which paid super well so I ditched the idea of school altogether.

Then, at the age of 24 I was like damn I should finish up. I applied to a different school, transferred any credits I could, and finished my last 70 odd credits in 2 years. The second time around I was so focused, dedicated, and on the ball. I was watching all of the "kids" doing the same crap I was doing when I was younger, and I tried to advise some of them to get their shit together, but I guess its just something you have to learn for yourself.

Anyway, I finished my Engineering degree with a robust 3.9GPA and I couldnt be happier at the decision of quitting that job and going back to school FT... Even though while I was in school 9/11 happened and the IT market crashed by the time I graduated lol.

Good luck to you OP. Im sure you will do fine.

 

[Saint Nick]

College is easy. Even the dumbest adult-children in the world are able to pass college while drinking, toking, and having sex. Everyone knows this.

 

[dfuze]

Why are college faculty/staff so inept? I've never understood this.

And how in God's name do they constantly lose important info like credits/financial aid info??

Had the same issue of losing stuff for me too. I attended one CC for years part time, but needed to attend another instate CC for a class that mine didn't offer. 2nd school needed my immunizations records that my 1st one "lost" even though I they got it when I started attending. Took about a week of them running around before they found it.