Tomorrow is my first day back in school in 16 years,

[VenusRising]

I am so nervous and worried.

What if I'm not smart enough? What if I get lazy? What if I just suck as a student?

I feel like getting a degree is the best way to take care of myself now that Zodiak is gone. I feel so much pressure, I'm worried about folding.

Everyone says I'm "gonna do great", but what if don't? What if this is the wrong move altogether?

Sorry....just nervous ramblings before embarking on this new journey.

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear VenusRising...

Ah, sweetie...

I know you will be fine. And how do I know? Because I did it too...and I was.

Your nervousness just means that you're in touch with reality.

You're motivated, and that means a lot. You won't be lazy.

You've done a lot of living, and believe me, that life experience really counts! You will most likely be able to help the other students who haven't done what you have.

And...don't you think Zodiac is cheering you on?

I sure do...

:hug:

[VenusRising]

2. I got smacked into reality.

I'm sure Zodiak is very proud.

It's just scares the bejeebus out of me.

I'm tired of the unknown. It's exhausting.

Thanks, Peggy.

[emilyg]

3. You'll be fine. I got my nursing degree at 41.

[hibbing]

4. few thoughts..questions

Hi,
Care to share any more details? What are you going to be studying? I keep thinking I should pursue an advanced degree just for personal reasons, not professional, but I would have to do it online which I am not too excited about. Are you going to be in a brick and mortar environment or an online learning environment?

The only advice I have is to take advantage of office hours if going to a brick and mortar school. I only took advantage of those in my later years in college and found they really helped me and the professors have them for a reason. Some professors I had even made them mandatory. I don't know you, but if you are a "non-traditional" student I would highly suggest this. I have taken a few classes in my later years and always fun to meet with professors at office hours that are around the same age as me, they have always seemed much more open and hmmm, not sure how to phrase it.

Good luck to you and please keep use posted, and as always, peace.

[VenusRising]

5. Thanks for the thoughtful respnse.

I'm taking just one class in the core curriculum at a community college to transfer to a 4 year university later. I plan on majoring in psychology, and becoming a counselor. I decided to take a brick and mortar class for my first time back. Good advice on the office hours. I'll definitely use them!

[graywarrior]

6. I went back to school two years ago at 59

and I felt the same way you do now. As is turned out, it has been the greatest experience of my life and has opened doors I never imagined were there for me. I suck at math, but I'm getting through and I am on the Dean's list. You will do fine. Just become the student and relax into the whole thing.

Good luck, VenusRising.

PS You are not expected to know everything. That's why you're in school....lol.

[JBoy]

7. Your nervousness is actually one of the reasons you'll do well

On average, mature students tend to take their studies more seriously than younger students. While you might be a little rusty, the fact that you're anxious means that you are taking it seriously, and that should more than make up for a little rustiness.

You also have the advantage of being able to relate what you learn to your own real-world experiences. That will make some of the concepts more understandable, and help make things stick.

I predict you'll do great.

[RedCloud]

8. Don't let the truant officer catch wind of this.

[vard28]

9. Going back as an adult turned out to be fun for me as well.

I got to study what I wanted to. I even found the cool people to sit with at lunch and ended up being friends with them still, 30 years later! :hi:

[applegrove]

10. I found it hard to be back in school with teenagers when I was 36. They were ridiculing some

kid who was a little odd and I'd snap at them. I couldn't stand it.

[abq e streeter]

11. I agree with about everything Jboy said.

I went back to get my degree in my 30's and got much better grades than when I was younger. Took it more seriously etc. and just generally a more mature approach to the whole thing. I bet that'll happen with you too.

[wysimdnwyg]

12. I'm currently back in college for the third time

The first time, right out of high school, well, let's just say that I had a lot of fun for two years. Class? What's that? The second time I managed to complete not one, but two Associates degrees. I started my third attempt at a Bachelor's degree exactly 20 years after I started the first try. It's a challenge, and you'll have your ups and downs. I'm four years into this stretch now, with three and a half left to go at my current pace of one class per semester, but I'm not giving up. No matter how much I feel like quitting some times, I'm determined to finish it this time. (Chiefly because I know if I quit again, I won't ever go back.)

[lightningandsnow]

13. That's awesome.

I'm sure you'll make an awesome student. :hug:

Take care and let us all know how you're doing, k?

[bigwillq]

14. Adults that go back after a break usually do well

They're more focused, and know that there's no time to slack off. I think you will do fine. Good Luck! :hi: I think this is wonderful.Keep us updated. :hug:

[safeinOhio]

15. Dropped out in 1970

went back and and finished in 2000. Much more fun when you are older. Also went from a 2.4 to 3.8.

[skygazer]

16. Congratulations!

Exciting stuff, isn't it?

I went back to school at 47 to get my AA degree and paralegal certificate. I was a nervous wreck up until my first day and then I knew it was going to be wonderful. Hard work, yes, but I discovered that years of working and parenting had taught me self-discipline , time management and organizational skills that I hadn't had when I was younger.

I graduated last June but I'm going back for my B.A now (at 50) so I can get into law school. Yeah, I'm hooked. :P

Being nervous is a good thing - it means you want to succeed and it will help you to do so.

[femmocrat]

17. I also went back in my 40s. I totally loved it.

Best thing I ever did.

The first night I was so nervous... the professor gave us some stuff to read and discuss. I remember sitting there panic-stricken, not understanding one word of it. It got easier and I graduated with a 4.0.

Good luck to you, VenusRising! Hope you enjoy being a "non-traditional" student as much as I did.