It's official: I'm going back to school

[Etoile]

Oh my god. I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm quitting my VERY well-paying job and going back to school full-time. Orientation starts on August 22nd. I haven't been in school for almost 10 years, this is terrifying. I keep waffling about whether or not it's a "good idea" but in reality it's already been decided. I just can't believe I'm giving up a REALLY good salary for this...there's so much I will have to get used to, so much I will have to change. I'm leaving the rat race behind, no more 9-5!

I am going to be an undergraduate student at Gallaudet University. The transfer specialist hasn't told me yet if I have enough credits to start somewhere above freshman...hopefully I will, I do have a few semesters under my belt already. Currently, Gallaudet offers Interpreting only as a major and Deaf Studies as a major and a minor. I would prefer to major in Deaf Studies and minor in Interpreting, but if they can't work that out then I will do it the other way around.

I'm also scared of how different I am going to be from the other students. In addition to the GIANT difference of being hearing (only a small handful of hearing students get into Gallaudet at all), I am also going to be older, I'll have a part-time job, I'm married, I'm living off campus...this is going to be so weird. But I'm doing it!

 

[CutieMouse]

*****

 

[graceanne]

WOO HOO! *hugs* That is sooooo awesome!

 

[BiBunny]

Fabulous! Congratulations, etoile. I can only imagine how excited you are about this.

As an interesting sidenote, my sorority's philanthropy is for the Speech and Hearing Impaired. Gallaudet gets a lot of support from us, as does the House Ear Institute in California. I think it's super-cool that you're going there!

 

[wouldloveto]

Kudos!

I do not know you, I am pretty new here, but...

Good for you! Following education, especially in such a selfless vein, is a great thing!

 

[Cheshire D]

Very awesome!

I wouldn't worry about being a non-trad. At least 'round here, they're no more different than other students, long as you aren't terribly arrogant you've gone around the block a fewe more times. Which I know you won't, so it's not an issue. ^^

Congrats!

 

[Yang4yin]

Don't worry about a thing - except keeping up! I went back to school when I was about 38, felt odd at first, but soon found that I got along very well the faculty and most of the younger students, also.


.

 

[Otherkorean]

Congrats! And good luck!

 

[Raven6766]

Congrats!!!

Oh my god. I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm quitting my VERY well-paying job and going back to school full-time. Orientation starts on August 22nd. I haven't been in school for almost 10 years, this is terrifying. I keep waffling about whether or not it's a "good idea" but in reality it's already been decided. I just can't believe I'm giving up a REALLY good salary for this...there's so much I will have to get used to, so much I will have to change. I'm leaving the rat race behind, no more 9-5!

I am going to be an undergraduate student at Gallaudet University. The transfer specialist hasn't told me yet if I have enough credits to start somewhere above freshman...hopefully I will, I do have a few semesters under my belt already. Currently, Gallaudet offers Interpreting only as a major and Deaf Studies as a major and a minor. I would prefer to major in Deaf Studies and minor in Interpreting, but if they can't work that out then I will do it the other way around.

I'm also scared of how different I am going to be from the other students. In addition to the GIANT difference of being hearing (only a small handful of hearing students get into Gallaudet at all), I am also going to be older, I'll have a part-time job, I'm married, I'm living off campus...this is going to be so weird. But I'm doing it!

I think it's great your going back and your not the only one.
I will be attending The College of Notre Dame-Baltimore as a non-tradtional (41 yo) student this fall.
I will be also a part-time student, if funding comes through, living off campus and agree with Yang4yin and CheshirD you'll do great! Don't worry about the age difference.
I understand the trepidation that goes with dropping everything for school, but feel that there is no drawback to furthuring your education and I know that whatever it cost it is well worth it in the long run. It'll be worth living on a fixed income for a few years for that degree, because the not just the degree but the experience will change my life.
Best Wishes and if you ever need support or have any hints, let me know!

 

[MasterPhoenix]

congratulations....

I know you will do well....

 

[Blushing Bottom]

Well done!!!

Be a good girl and mind the teacher.

d

 

[catalina_francisco]

Congratulations!! I am sure in the long term this is going to make you very happy. As to being the odd one out in terms of age and experience....I went back to regular high school with the regular teenage students in my mid 30's as a divorced single mother. LOL, it was a little strange passing your own daughter while walking to classes, not to mention having some of the same teachers which she found very stressful as she couldn't make up stories why she didn't do homework because she knew they would check with me when I came to my class. Out of the 40 or so mature age students who started when I did, I was the only one who finished....most of the others came in expecting special treatment and liked to tell the teenagers what they were doing wrong in their lives. I was more into listening and only giving advice when asked and with an open attitude, and also insisted I do the same amount of subjects, wear the uniform instead of trying to get excused from it, and no extensions on work, to get the same marks as the younger students. It was a fun time and I learnt a lot more than what was taught in class. I gained the respect of both students and teachers for the approach I took, and once they realised I was not wanting special treatment, I became the confident of many and invited to most things happening with the students....oh and I also got to sit in on a 2 day advisory meeting as both student and parent on how to improve the school and teaching.

Catalina

 

[lil_slave_rose]

congrats Etoile! i know you'll do well..how exciting *smiles* i wish i could go back and finish college..but i owe student loans from the first time...ah well.....good luck to you!!

 

[Missingmeds]

Congrats Etoile and don't worry about the age difference. In these days and times there are lots of students that you wouldn't consider conventional going back.

Just study hard and do well and let that speak for it's self.

Just be you and you will do just fine.

 

[Etoile]

Thanks for the votes of confidence, everyone! I'm trying to remember that it will be worth it in the long run, but it sure is scary right now. It was so weird to be applying to college again 10 years after I did it the first time, but I got the application in. Now it's going to be weird to actually go...but I'll make it!

I did ask at the interview (slots for hearing students are so competitive that they require you to come for an interview) what it would be like to be a non-traditional student. They said it's true that most of their students are fresh out of high school, and thus 18-22, but there are some older students around. I'm just not sure there will be any in my 200-300 level classes! The really hard part will be being hearing...there is a vocal minority on campus that doesn't believe hearing students should be allowed in. The interviewer assured me that if I act naturally and don't flaunt my hearing status (which I never would) I should be fine. It IS going to be hard living off campus though...most of the social stuff happens outside of class hours.

Now I just need to turn in my financial aid forms!

 

[midwestyankee]

Congratulations on making this choice, Etoile. I'm sure you'll do well for you have a fine and thoughtful mind. I sense that you have a high capacity for empathy, which will serve you well in an environment where most of those around you are different from you, as you noted in your first post.

It's a gift of grace to find a path that makes sense for us....walk it proudly, intentionally, and with curiosity.

 

[myinnerslut]

etoile, that is great news! congrats!

 

[WriterDom]

You'll do well. From what I've seen you should be teaching college not going.

 

[bareman]

Congrats

Oh my god. I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm quitting my VERY well-paying job and going back to school full-time. Orientation starts on August 22nd. I haven't been in school for almost 10 years, this is terrifying. I keep waffling about whether or not it's a "good idea" but in reality it's already been decided. I just can't believe I'm giving up a REALLY good salary for this...there's so much I will have to get used to, so much I will have to change. I'm leaving the rat race behind, no more 9-5!

I am going to be an undergraduate student at Gallaudet University. The transfer specialist hasn't told me yet if I have enough credits to start somewhere above freshman...hopefully I will, I do have a few semesters under my belt already. Currently, Gallaudet offers Interpreting only as a major and Deaf Studies as a major and a minor. I would prefer to major in Deaf Studies and minor in Interpreting, but if they can't work that out then I will do it the other way around.

I'm also scared of how different I am going to be from the other students. In addition to the GIANT difference of being hearing (only a small handful of hearing students get into Gallaudet at all), I am also going to be older, I'll have a part-time job, I'm married, I'm living off campus...this is going to be so weird. But I'm doing it!

Good for you Etoile...while it is a scary venture, the fact you have real-life experience under your belt will make it so much more rewarding for you. I found the learning somewhat more difficult than it used to be, but my better focus made it easy to stand out from my significantly younger classmates.

Go for it, and don't doubt yourself. I have read a number of your posts, and I'm quite sure you will do very well for yourself. I just recieved my degree at age 49, and if I can do it, you most assuredly can too.

 

[intothewoods]

Congrats, Etoile! Going back to school after working is always kind of weird. In some ways, it's less stressful. In some ways, it's more stressful! But I think being a hearing student at Gaulladet will be fascinating. I'd be interested to hear what it's like.

 

[A Desert Rose]

This will be the time of your life, Etoile. I know you'll make the most of it and make the most fun out of it, too.

And now, knowing you "in the flesh" sorta speak, puts an truly impressive twist on your accomplishment, for me.

Well done, doll. Indeed,

 

[Kierae]

Congrats Etoile - Gaulladet is such a wonderful opportunity!

~kierae

 

[NemoAlia]

Etoile, you're an inspiration to us all!

Best wishes!

 

[Netzach]

This is a perfect opportunity for you. I am so glad for you! You'll take to this in no time. And I'll bet anything that you'll get mistaken for 21-23 all the time - put me in a room full of people that age and most are totally clueless about my age, even the girls.

 

[Daddyslilpet]

Congrats Etoile! Make the best of it, I know you'll do well!