Any Advice or Words of Wisdom?

YOU GO!! THAT IS SSSSSOOOOOOOOO COOL!!!!

Do it!! DO IT!! DO IT!!!!

Go with the flow and learn!!!

CONGRATS THAT'S SO EXCITING! I can't wait to get back into taking classes. It's so much easier (I think) when you're older, because you're not worrying about whether you're wearing cool clothes, if that guy likes your hair, what kind of car you drive... you can totally focus on your studies. When I was taking classes, I was really competitive (that's what made it fun for me), so everyone wanted to be in my study group! I was such a smartie pants, LOL... but it made me feel good :) HAVE FUN!

Well, first of all, how old are you going to be if you don't go back to school?

You may discover you're not the only "older" student in the freshman class!

My husband was the first college graduate on either side of his family. He was followed the next year by... his mother.

Don't succumb to your fears. You'll just be taking your brain in different directions. If you find yourself stumbling over the math, hire a tutor for a while. If your tutor is a high school student, you can make good jokes about it.

I just registered for one class at the junior college after earning a B.A. 8 years ago. I have been a SAHM of four for the past 3 yrs and realized a new passion that I wanted to pursue that wasn't just about my family--it's about me!
As another poster wrote earlier, you still have a whole career (about 20+ years) ahead of you once you finish. And you will be such an inspiration to your family.
You will never regret having a degree. Although, I haven't "used" mine for a few years and am now earning one in a different field, it gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment that stays with you.
Good luck and do not waiver.

Go your mind is still good and will stay that way with exercise. When my "big sister" graduated from college a mother and a daughter were graduating at the same time. This was new then for mothers to return to school. You will be surprised how many are in your classes.
The 40's will be time enough to build a great career without ever having to be Mommy Tracked. We have to work until 67 now and so you will be right on time, coming into a world that has recovered economically.

I went back to school a few years ago. I am in my last year of undergrad starting this fall and plan on going on to grad school. By oldest is entering Jr High this year. She will graduate high school the same year I graduate with my PhD (if I do it in just 5 years). Is it hard? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

A couple of benefits I've noticed:
- My kids don't doubt me when I say that continuing, lifelong education is an important thing. I'm walking the walk, not just talking the talk. I tell the that they should plan on college (and share that it would be easier before they have kids, lol) and they can see what I'm talking about.
- We ALL do homework. I have my homework, they have theirs. I have my bookbag, they have theirs (and I can offer my daughter to trade carrying bags when she complains about how heavy hers is, hehe). They see that homework is something that is done all through school. What I'm trying to say is that we're building good habits :)
- They can come to me with confidence when needing help with their homework, especially as it applies to my field of study (but really, any, because I've been through it recently).
- Their sense of pride. They love talking about how mom is going to school :)
- They understand the need to chip in more around the house. Things may not be done just how I would have, but even my 8-year-old now knows how to iron his shirts (the button up kind!). Dishes, vacuuming, dusting, etc ... these are things that kids need to learn how to do by the time they go off to college. And this gives them more opportunity (because of necessity) to learn and do these things.

I would say, go for it. You have to plan your time more carefully, you may have to give up some luxuries and/or leisure time (we don't have many vacations right now, and cancelled our cable - with great benefits). But I think the benefits are worth it.

Your first quarter, only take 1 class and make it a "fun" one. It's going to take awhile to get back into the swing of things / relearning how to learn... so I've found it's best to start slow and fun, so you're not completely and totally overwhelmed. I mean, why make school a chore? There is absolutely NO order in which you have to take your classes (well, 101 xx before 201 xx IF it's a prerequisite for the 201xx), so don't start out in ones you're totally "behind" in. I know soooooo many people who are so excited about going back to school they load up on 3 classes, make them "serious" classes (like math98, and english101, and biology) that they just get swamped and demoralized. VERSUS taking a single interesting 'elective'. Like Sex & Sexuality, or Shakespeare, or Photography, or Biology, or Developmental Psych, or, or, or (not knowing where your interests lie).

Then, each quarter as you figure out "Oh yeah, that's how I PREFER to take notes... Oh yeah, that's how I need to study for a test... Oh yeah, that's how much time to allot for a paper..." start adding another class each quarter. Make sure to have one "fun" or "easy" class each quarter.

Going to school IS serious, and it IS hardwork... no need to make it more so than it already is!

And, btw, I've been in school for 6 of the past 9 years. I've had to take a year off once, and 2 years off another time. EACH time I had to 'relearn how to learn'. Even just one quarter off a year it takes a few weeks to 'get into the groove' again. It's a common topic amongst students who take any time off at all (whether it's a year or a decade) that it TAKES awhile to get back into it.

Well here is what I have learned:
Keep up with your homework! Pulling an all-niter is not really an option anymore.
Start with a class or two and see how much you can handle at a time. Remember that you have more to worry about than the last time you were in school.
Take night classes where possible because there are more people our age in them.
Relax and really take in the classes. You will appreciate learning for learning's sake much more this time around.
Good Luck and congrads on your decision.

I went back to school at the age of 38. I was scared to death! I took 5 classes and hoped to get a B average.

I expected to struggle. I expected to be rejected by the other students.

I was so wrong. I love, loved, loved every bit of it. I had not realized that I missed learning so much!

I had forgotten so much that I started out in remedial classes. That was a blow to my ego, but it turned out to be the best thing! I was able to relearn at a much deeper level because now I actually cared. The remedial classes gave me a very strong foundation and I ended up graduating summa cum laude.

I laugh when I think back to re-entering school. It was a bit like falling in love: Colors were more vivid and I think that I developed some sort of crush on every one of my teachers, both male and female. I hope they didn't notice!

I adored my fellow students and their different outlook. When I was growing up, adults were the enemy. Now so many young people regard their parents more like extremely helpful friends. Many would make a beeline towards me. I really enjoyed them. There were only a few that wanted me to do all their work and even that dissipated as I moved through the classes. The flakes don't last very long in college.

I say plunge in and enjoy!

I'm doing it! I'm almost 32 with a 7, 3 and 1 year old. I figured if my GRANDMOTHER could start from scratch in her 60's and earn her DOCTORATES, I sure the heck could too! My only advice besides jump right in is to pay the extra for the refresher math/english courses if you feel you need them. They won't count toward your degree but it will make you much more comfortable.

Also, I know many love on line learning for convience sake ( I know I did...the course work was easier and could be done on my time) but when I got back into the classroom, I realized that I really am a visual/lecture learner. I actually liked going to a physical class. It got me out of the house/mommy mode and into college (albiet older) student mode.

But beware, there was such an age difference between me and most of the other students that I wanted to scream! The were so RUDE!!! Eating in class, coming in late, and the worst.....texting during the lecture!!! Most of my professors operated under the "do what you will, but if you miss something it's not my fault, you're an adult" mindset, but when I was trying to concentrate and all I could here was "click, click, tap tap tap" it was worse than nails on a chalk board.

Anyway... you'll do fine! The first class is the scariest! Good Luck!

I saw this one late but had a few words. Congratulations, enjoy, make it fun, stay positive, fabulous idea and take your time. If you start to get overwhelmed then reduce your class load. If you get energized take as many classes as you feel up to. "Life is like a box of chocolates." :)

NOTE: You are successful based on your definition of success, not anyone elses' so don't let that discourage you, do the reverse and be encouraged. AWESOME!!

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I agree with missouri mk, there are so many incredibly rude younger students. But there were in my first round of school 20 years ago, there just wern't any mobile phones to text back then.
I started back to school last year, at the age of 37, I already have a bachelors, and I am going for an associates. I am still working on my pre reqs, and have this semester and the next to go.
I have 2 kids and am a SAHM. The math was not as hard as I thought, really, I completed intro to algebra with an "A" and Intermediate algebra with a "B" and this is a person who failed high school math. There are SO MANY great online resources these days, you tube has math videos that will help you, because you will have to have math for anything you want to do. English was actually more challenging because I had forgotten a lot of the grammar and punctuation stuff.
The lady I used for math on youtube was yourmathgal.com She was the reason I passed. Brilliant and free.
Study every night, even on the weekends, get flashcards, take them everywhere, never ever get behind, or you won't catch up, it is so much harder to study when you have kids.
I am not the oldest in my class, there are actually about 10 of us out of the 30 who are in our 30's and 40's. And the younger ones are actually really friendly.