Non-Traditional College Students

[Evil_Geoff]

Hey gang... It's official.

After much research, hemming, hawing, dithering, and deciding, your friendly neighborhood equal opportunity sadist is going back to college! I'll be working on an IT degree through an online program that will include, as part of the degree program (techies will appreciate all this):

# Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional (MCITP): Server Administrator
# CIW Professional
# CIW Associates
# CIW Database Design Specialist
# CompTIA A+ IT Technician
# CompTIA Project+
# CompTIA Network+
# CompTIA Security+
# Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) – Windows Vista, Configuration

As well as a Bachelor of Science degree. Most schools I checked into would say they would prepare you for the exams, but WGU makes them part of the curriculum. Pass the class, get your certification - even if you don't finish the degree. Pretty cool, huh?

I'm gonna be over 50 by the time I graduate... Just out of curiousity, how many other non-traditional students (I mean had a career, family, etc, and coming back to school? Sheesh, I'm not meaning kinky! *LOL*) do I have for company?

 

[sb2009]

over here! however, I'm on a bit of a break from school. And work too - just call me lazy ass rightnow.

I took online classes for a couple years when I was pregnant and when my youngest was an infant and my spouse was deployed - i think i did 30 credits or so? - and it was a great opportunity.

 

[LifelongCyn]

I'm probably headed that way for the winter quarter. It'll be my third time back. I have a BFA and a couple of certificates, but I'm still not settled in a field and I've been home with my kiddo for the last 7 years. I'd really like to find something that I can do from home that isn't telemarketing. Anyone know where to look for that kind of work? I've been gone so long, I think my resume is on a floppy disk!

 

[Kajira Callista]

I went and am going back for more stuff. It seems a bit addicting

 

[cromsgirl]

I was sort of non traditional in my second go around. I went to college right after high school and got Ba and MEd. I stayed home for a couple of years and the went back and got an AAS at 29 (most of my classmates were 19). Been working since in AAS field. My hubby also went to college after HS, dropped out, went back and got AAS, has worked for 2 1/2 years but is planning to go back either this spring or maybe next fall to get BS. If we had all the money in the world I'd be happy to be a perpetual student. As it is I just work at the University.

 

[graceanne]

I'm a non traditional student on break. I might take some online classes next quarter, but I couldn't handle school and the kids with K in Iraq my spring quarter so I'm just gonna give myself a bit of a break.

 

[Etoile]

I am considered non-traditional. I graduated high school at 16, went to college but dropped out at 17, and returned at 26. I have a family and a career. I'll be graduating at 30.

 

[DVS]

I thought I should edit my post because it was filled with rants. Sorry for sidetracking your thread. They were my issues, not yours. And they had very little if anything to do with your OP. Good luck in your new endeavors. It's a great field to get into. I really enjoyed going to work every day of the 14 years I was in computers.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

Cool, I gots lots a cheezburger!

I mean company! I might have to get y'all to tutor me on sone of this stuff. I think I cna handle the English classes, but math is gonna kick my "hasn't done anything more complex than balance a checkbook in damn near 30 years" ass.

DVS, I missed the rants (I was outta town Saturday and most of Sunday, just got back a couple of hours ago), but I may pick your brains from time to time!

Y'all rawk!

 

[AbiNormyl]

I am working on an online degree also; but staying home with 4 children during the day it is difficult and I find I can't get my head in the game lately.

 

[sb2009]

graceanne - it's smart of you to take a break while your husband in in Iraq - I didn't and ended up failing two clases. I just couldn't get my head in the game at all. Messed with my GPA.

 

[Etoile]

Oh man EG, the math classes...let's just say I barely squeaked through the one that was required of me!

 

[sb2009]

for math classes I need a teacher in front of me working the equations. I have some sort of issue with math (i can to taxes and budgets, etc) and I'm the idiot who has to stay after class every time to see it done again and again.

 

[00Syd]

y'all are nuts. As soon as a I graduate I am never, and I mean never going back.

 

[Etoile]

y'all are nuts. As soon as a I graduate I am never, and I mean never going back.

You missed something Syd - we never graduated in the first place.

 

[graceanne]

graceanne - it's smart of you to take a break while your husband in in Iraq - I didn't and ended up failing two clases. I just couldn't get my head in the game at all. Messed with my GPA.

Thanks. I was taking classes when he left and had to drop my math class, cause I was failing it. I couldn't concentrate and my kids kept getting sick, so I was missing at least one class a week (I'm not a math person, I gotta attend 99% of the classes or I don't know what's going on). I'm hoping, after I get my associates, to be able to transfer to a private college, and to do that I'm gonna need a scholarship. I cannot afford to mess up my GPA.

 

[00Syd]

You missed something Syd - we never graduated in the first place.

Ooooooh, haha yeah I guess I did. Welp, never mind then. Get on with your bad selves.

 

[rosco rathbone]

y'all are nuts. As soon as a I graduate I am never, and I mean never going back.

I said the exact same thing on graduation day, but I ended up going back to school twice.

 

[00Syd]

I said the exact same thing on graduation day, but I ended up going back to school twice.

You are nuts.

 

[sb2009]

Thanks. I was taking classes when he left and had to drop my math class, cause I was failing it. I couldn't concentrate and my kids kept getting sick, so I was missing at least one class a week (I'm not a math person, I gotta attend 99% of the classes or I don't know what's going on). I'm hoping, after I get my associates, to be able to transfer to a private college, and to do that I'm gonna need a scholarship. I cannot afford to mess up my GPA.

don't even feel about it! I had to drop a math class once because I was pregnant and I swear,something happend to my brain, I just could not think! It was wierd. Plus i had to go to the bathroom all the time during class....

 

[rosco rathbone]

You are nuts.

I didn't do it for fun. Career changes.

 

[00Syd]

I didn't do it for fun. Career changes.

That's respectable.

I know people who went and got additional degrees for fun. They obviously don't understand the definition of the word "fun."

 

[graceanne]

That's respectable.

I know people who went and got additional degrees for fun. They obviously don't understand the definition of the word "fun."

My sister says that if she ever won the lottery she'd become a professional student and just take college classes for the rest of her life.

I SWEAR I gotta be adopted. How can I be related to that?

 

[Etoile]

I might AUDIT courses for the rest of my life in that situation. All of the fun, none of the homework!

I think going to a small school helps, Syd. I would imagine you have some pretty big classes, right? Mine are small and everybody participates, I love it.

 

[00Syd]

I might AUDIT courses for the rest of my life in that situation. All of the fun, none of the homework!

I think going to a small school helps, Syd. I would imagine you have some pretty big classes, right? Mine are small and everybody participates, I love it.

My school is relatively small. I've only had one giant lecture class so far. Its not that I'm unhappy with my school in particular, my school is great, I just can't stand academia in general. The college structure feels so stifling and frustrating. I can't wait to graduate! It'll feel so nice to do work and get paid for it for a change, rather than paying exorbitant amounts to have the privilege of working my ass off.