I am both looking for employment and planning my return to college.

At this time I'm figuring it out. I am in between places and trying to figure out paying for rent, working, and juggling college at once.

How might I inform a potential new employer that I'll be starting college soon so my availability might change at some point? I wanted to be a full time student but if I have to work full time that likely will be tough/not the best decision. Any tips on what to say?

I am thinking it would be important to inform them before accepting any offer and seeing if they will accommodate that-- is that smart if I need work asap so I can find a place to rent?

Hey everyone!

I came from a poor family background and moved to the USA two years ago, settling in Virginia Beach. After securing a solid emergency fund, I decided to enroll in a local community college. However, they seem unwilling to let me take regular classes without completing ESL courses first. My ESL placement test recommended that I take ESL 101, but what really upset me was being placed in ESL 31 for oral communication.

The college advisor wasn’t very helpful, and the international student office explained that the oral communication placement is a default setting. They said I would need to enroll in classes, and the instructor would ultimately decide which ESL level I should take. From my perspective, it feels like they’re pushing me to pay for unnecessary classes and waste a year just learning English. My major is computer science, and I already have the skills, and I’m just seeking a degree.

After researching other schools, I found Chaffey College in California. I submitted proof of my language proficiency, and they accepted my results, and I’m ready to start in the next spring semester.

The Problem

I currently work in my city, earning about $23 an hour on a three-day night shift (12 hours per shift), giving me four days off. Unfortunately, my transfer request to an Amazon facility in California was declined, and now I’m stuck deciding what to do.

I’m 22 years old, and I don’t want to waste more time pursuing bachelor’s degree.

California offers me the chance to start school, but the cost of living there is extremely high. My FAFSA application for Chaffey College has already been processed, but I haven’t requested the funds yet because I’m still unsure about my next steps.

I also don’t want to attend an online school because I want to engage with people and connect with like-minded individuals.

I don’t want to give up my comfortable job here and take the risk of moving to Southern California. At the same time, I don’t want my current college to dictate my future just to fill ESL classes with immigrants. (Capitalism!)

I would appreciate any advice!

I am planning on going for accounting, but I’m worried about it not being a good fit

I was wondering how much people enjoyed their experience when going back. Obviously the main focus is school and financing it, but did people here join clubs? Sports? Obviously you're not going to party like crazy with eighteen year olds, but were you able to have a social life and maybe go to the occasional bar night/event? Would love to hear everyone's experience!

I’m heading back to school after a number of yearsss. I decided to purse an associates first to get acclimated to that world again. My background is in business administration so my initial thought was an AS in business administration but now I’m wondering if I should pursue an AS in businesses management so the degree can compliment my career now. I am thinking of transferring to then earn a bachelors (still undecided on this step). It makes sense to decided which track to get on now because the course requirements are different. But I want some flexibility in case I change my major once I start my bachelors program and unclear if a business management degree will allow me to switch things up like I know a degree in business administration would. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Choose B.A.S. in Business Management if you’re looking for a career in management with a focus on practical leadership and operations skills.

Choose B.S. in Business if you’re seeking a broader, more analytical education with the flexibility to specialize in areas like finance, marketing, or entrepreneurship.

Basically.. how do you do it?? I have a 2 year old and my husband works full time. We struggle constantly to pay bills and rent so we can’t live off one income. I want to go back to school but the programs are full time for 2 years and we can’t afford day care. I really wanted to go for sonography but I’m feeling discouraged because it’s so competitive and the schooling and clinicals are full time.

How do you make it work going back to school while having little ones? Is it just best to rest until they’re older?

Hello all. I started a new job two years ago and almost off the bat my new boss encouraged me to return to school. I took night classes at the local community college, paying out of pocket. Now I have an associates and I'll be transferring to a state university in the spring. However, the state school is smaller than the community college and night classes aren't available. I originally discussed this with my employer and they said adjusting my work schedule to accommodate school wouldn't be an issue. However, this morning they informed me that that is no longer the case. I'm now confronted with either finding a way to make school work or abandoning that which I've worked so hard towards for the last two years.

I'm 34 with the typical 30-something year old's bills. Rent, utilities, auto loan, etc. Since it will be difficult for me to find a job allowing me to take at least one class in the morning and still be compensated enough to pay the bills, I'm considering attending school full-time and conpleting my bachelors as fast as possible. I'm intelligible for FAFSA because I made too much money over the last several years. Is there a way to make this work? Are there loans that lend for living expenses while in school? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I've finally found what I want to do and I don't want to have to give it up.

During my undergraduate, I started as a biology pre-med major. I was kind of unsure already about whether that was what I wanted to do, but then Covid happened and I was so burnt out, so I decided to switch to a psychology major. I was only a few courses shy of having what I needed to apply to medical programs (Medical Terminology, Anatomy/Physiology, and Physics 2), but had completely written that off and finished my bachelor's and moved onto a master's in higher education administration. I graduated in May and now work as an academic advisor at a university. I am currently considering taking those 3 classes I need (since I can for free at the university I work at) and applying to a CAA master's program. I currently make around $55k, but would make around $200k as a CAA. I've considered waiting a couple years because it's nice to finally be settled and not stressed about homework (especially while working). The problem is, if I wait, I will have to retake one of my classes (you have to take biochemistry within 5 years of applying) and I also know I will have forgotten even more information by then that will put me behind. I wish it wasn't just the money because I can live with less. I also don't currently feel fulfilled. I thought I would enjoy a cushy job where it was mostly relaxed, working in my own office, built in holiday breaks, etc., but I'm already so checked out because I'm bored and don't care as much about what I'm doing as I thought I would. I also think that jobs in higher education may become slimmer if the department of education takes the hits that I think it will in the coming years. I'm extremely worried about trying to do these classes though while still working full-time (mostly the physics class because I HATED physics in school). I'm also worried about how rigorous the program is. I feel like I copped out and took the easy road the first time and want to finally do the hard things to ensure a better future for myself, but it's giving me so much anxiety and I'm worried that I can't handle the workload or the stress. Any advice?

I graduated with a double major in finance and management 25 years ago. I was never able to use my degree throughout my career. I had to just pay the bills. Am I still able to use this education to pursue a degree in accounting? or a masters degree? I graduated from the University of Colorado. Ty!

I’m 33 this year and have dropped out of community college twice roughly a decade ago. I had no discipline whatsoever and could not seem to figure out what to even go to school for. Now that I’ve experienced life a little bit and found something that ignites my passion, as well as developing enough discipline to see something through, I’m looking for some insight on where to begin:

I had FASFA before and I imagine I lost it when I dropped out without completing the semesters. Or does that “expire?” Would I qualify for it again after so many years?

I’m looking for something to brush up on the math and English skills I haven’t practice in 10+ years. I did well in High school, but that was a long time ago. Does anyone know if there are scholarships available to adults? (I’m in North Carolina if that makes any difference).

My current goal is to begin classes next fall (2025). It wont be a full course load yet, knowing I work a full time and part time, am a step parent with a sporadic custody schedule/arrangement, and I'm not willing to sacrifice gym time (1 hour a day 6 days a week a 5:30 am so it doesn't interfere with my 'life'). I just want to see how I manage 2-3 classes at first, see if I can balance all the things and decide if I should take on more or less in the coming semesters.

I know this is possible, I just don't know where to start. Should I reach out to someone like a guidance counselor or something like that at a community college to help me take the correct steps?

TYIA

Friends,

I'm trying to head back to school for an electrical engineering degree. One of the prerequisites for the program I've applied to is differential equations. I took all the basic calculus classes (single-variable and multi-variable) about twenty years ago, and I'm in the process of refreshing my skills using Khan Academy.

About me: 40, 9-5 M-F job in software, wife and kids. I'm okay at math, not great.

My question for you, if you've taken diffeq recently:

• Do you think that mastering the skills in Khan Academy for single and multi-variable calculus will be sufficient preparation for diffeq?
• I found and registered for an online option from a nearby community college during the winter semester. The whole diffeq course is completed within a month. Is this schedule too aggressive for someone in my situation? Should I try to find a full-semester course?
• Overall, is differential equations MUCH more difficult than multi-variable calculus? Will doing the readings and the practice problems be adequate for someone with an ordinary engineering/math background?

Thanks for any feedback on this topic!

I am 19 years old last year due to a family medical issue that I was dealing with I got one the worst experience of my life. I couldn't focus or study the courses that I took and it made me look very stupid and got anxiety attacks everytime I think of taking those classes again.

I was a decent student in high school and it was my ambition to go university and complete my degree is cyber security but now after having that experience my body gives me these bad vibes to even attempting to go those classes and lectures and feels that I am stuck.

I decided to take a year off for myself currently I'm working and losing some excess weight but I feel this time bomb that I would have to deal with those things all over again and I just wanna run away. I wanna study in university but I think I have lost my confidence in myself due to poor grades that I got and felt it was a me problem not a situation problem. I want to have a career but I don't think I feel motivated to do it. And there are multiple factors that I am seeing negatively

• the workspace has over saturated
• Gen z is struggling to survive on its own
• I am thinking that this stream of cyber security is a waste of time now

I have seen that there is still demand for this degree but with AI and how world is changing so fast and feels like we are racing against time that this pressure and stress might make my head explode. If anybody could help out of this conflicted mind of mine that would be great.

I'm a returning college student (31) who took my last class seven years ago. I have heard so many horror stories of students being accused of plagiarism via AI when they truly did not go that route. I am nervous about this as I naturally write very academically in nature.

Is there a way to run my paper through an AI checker, without setting it up to be flagged if my professor should run it through again?

I'm halfway through the course and have not had a single assignment graded. Part of me thinks the professor is just behind, but I have this weird irrational fear that he thinks I'm plagiarizing and that's why he hasn't graded anything yet. (Have I mentioned I'm diagnosed with anxiety?)

Feel free to let me know if I'm overthinking.

Hi, I 27(M) have made some pretty bad career/education choices, and now want to try and find an official career to stay at that could possibly outlast AI and outsourcing. My problem is I'm having difficulty choosing between three and knowing I only have one chance to make this right is giving me severe analysis paralysis. Here are the pros and cons I have so far.

1. I get an MBA

Pro: Only takes 2 years

Pro: Really like the idea of getting into management but not sure of the field I'd want to be in at the moment

Pro: High paying which is really big for me as it would allow me to pursue hobbies and have decent income to invest

Con: Really bad at math so any career with this will need to be light in that section

Con: Don't have a set path I'd like to take with this degree

Con: Possibly expensive depending on where I try and go

2. Go to Law school

Pro: Only takes 3 years which is the max time I want to take to go back to school

Pro: I had a lot of law related classes in college as it was related to my major and did very well in all them

Pro: Lots of flexibility with specific fields I could get into and have a few options I'd want to try

Con: Out of my 3 choices It is my favorite but out of all the attorneys I've interacted with only one has said they actually enjoyed the work

Con: Could be harder than anything I have ever done in my education life and this could be compounded by the fact that I have ADHD

Con: This job would require me giving up all the things I enjoy doing in life to be dedicated to growing my career

3. Medical (Surg. tech, Sonographer, etc)

Pros: Long term job safety with the ability to work anywhere which is big for me as my family is dispersed all over the states.

Pros: Good pay at least far better than what I make now

Pros: Short amount of schooling with good paying careers being in the 2 year period

Cons: Prerequisites would require me to start all the way from scratch as I don't have many science classes under my belt

Cons: Science isn't my strongest ability but I can manage to get by at times

Con: Not the biggest fan of bodily fluids like piss and shit and pus but can endure if it means having job safety

If anyone has any advice on which is best for me I'm all ears. If there is a job I may be good at based on this list but I just don't know I am also all ears. I am someone looking for a high paying job that's not heavy in math or in the IT sector. Thanks in advance

After retiring from career and raising a family, I went back to college. I’m graduating in the Spring. Should I attend the graduation ceremony?

I’d love to hear others thoughts, particularly those that may have made this decision later in life. What did you choose and why?

Honestly, it didn’t cross my mind until family and friends suggested it.

What did you do for work while at school, planning on leaving construction and starting school again, but I have only ever done construction jobs, so I’m not sure what to do for work while at school? Something flexible for school hours and pays okay?

I went to a CC to save money. I was sort of diligent in the first semester, but life starting getting to me. Ended up using all FinAid and ran out so I had to leave.

Degree was to be in CIS (Computer Information Systems).

https://ibb.co/B2CWx2L https://ibb.co/HY23DdX

I currently work fulltime and my company will pay for my degree if I get at least a 70% passing grade.

I'll be paying out of pocket, so just wanted some insight from you guys that have or are going back.

Is there any accredited programs that are at your pace, online whenever you have the time? I’m hoping for fast tract to bachelors or masters without first having an associate degree

Hey idk if this is the right group but I want to quit my job and start school . I have severe adhd and anxiety but I know I’m meant for more . I hate what I do. I can’t focus on work and school I have to pick one and it’s always been work :( Should I quit my job and focus on school . Use my savings and study full time for a year or 2 . Till my savings last ? I’m thinking of finance classes . Would love to get a degree work with someone who can sponsor my series 7 exam . I don’t know if I’m way to late in life either

Background:

I am a 30 m with a BA who would like to go back to school to get an Engineering Degree. I have been practicing the math, physics, and chemistry required for the last year and plan to start Community College in the spring for an Associates in Engineering plus a CAD Technology Certificate with the plan to transfer to a four year university for a masters program. 

I’m not sure if this matters but before college way back in high school I had a 3.8 GPA with a ton of AP classes with my highest math achieved as AP Calculus. With a 32 ACT score I was able to get into a top 100 tier 1 research university. 

The problem is I have a very weak Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a 149 credits hours taken and a 2.31 cumulative GPA and no internships. During my previous degree a parent got cancer, I was their primary caretaker while going to school full-time and working for the first half of my degree, then they passed away at the mid point of my degree. The trauma of watching the person who raised me pass as well as working really put school on the back burner for me and had a very negative impact on my academic performance for my BA. 

After obtaining an associates my GPA will still remain low. After a 67 Credit associates, 22 Credit CAD certificate, assuming a 3.5 GPA I would have a 2.75 cumulative GPA. If I got a 4.0 the highest my cumulative GPA would reach is a 2.94. 

Without the CAD certificate The GPA would range from 2.67 to 2.83 respectively.

Questions:

• If I were to go back and get an Associates of Engineering with a 3.5 GPA or higher in the associates is there a chance of a school accepting me for a Masters program as a conditional student?

• Is the CAD certificate a good idea to help with employment or should I just do the associates directly to masters? 

Important Notes: 

Note: I live in California and most schools here do not allow a second Bachelors.

Note: I am fine with going to a state school that is less accredited. 

Note: The associates is 67 credits and the certificate is 22 credits for a total of 89 credits. The cost of the degree and certificate would be roughly $4500.

Thank you so much to anyone who responds! I really appreciate it!

TLDR: I got a 2.31 GPA for my first bachelors partially due to extenuating circumstances. If I get an associates with a 3.5 GPA in that degree can I get into a masters program as a conditional student?

Hey all! This is really embarrassing to post but here I am. Im 25, a father, and stuck working low wage jobs and need to do better to support my family. I am looking into going to college for the first time ever, which is terrifying and im having difficulty learning the whole process as I didn't bother paying attention to anything college related in highschool.

So I really dont understand anything about the process, when do I apply, when do I apply for scholarships and loans? How do i get accepted? Do i just go to a community college for the basics? How do I ensure the bigger college will accept the community college credits? If i need 150 hours for a certification and a program only does 120, where would I get the other 30 hours?

I know this will seem all basic stuff to yall, and I apologize, but as someone who grew up poor and hopeless, I just want to ensure my child doesnt grow up the same way, Im trying to find a way and a solution, and it all feels so overwhelming to even begin without knowing anything.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks for reading!

Graduated High School in 2016 and had previously scored in the top 3% on the SAT, obviously that was 9 years ago so it might not mean much to an admissions officer atp. I'm planning on applying to programs like Brown RUE or Yale Eli Whitney after a year in my current program (UPenn LPS BaaS) as I'd like to have an on-campus experience, but I'm wondering if it would be worth retaking the SAT or ACT for those applications.

I want to hear about your college experience so far!! For my undergraduate capstone, I am researching to better understand different factors contributing to college student performance- and I need all the participants I can get. My goal is to gain participants from all walks of life, not just traditional, just graduated high school students. I myself am a "going back to college" student- I want to have all voices represented! Thank you so much if you can participate! Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Please click on the following anonymous link to access the survey: https://iu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4mlZuQZ7zN0bX0

I need advice on the best course of action to take in order to get experience in medical terminology. I know I need to take a class on it but I'm not sure where to start or what to do. My coworker mentioned trying to test out of the course but I'm not sure what online schools offer the option. I'm a bit nervous going back in and don't know where to start.

I don’t qualify for financial aid anymore because I’m on SAP warning… which means I did so badly (dropped out and dropped classes) 10 years ago that they revoked my financial aid. I was young and stupid and now I’m serious and need change. I registered for 2 classes today and keeping it at only 2 classes to ease into it again while working full time and it’s about $280 total. My question is will I able to get financial aid again if I improve my GPA and show I’m trying? I wish I didn’t mess up, I have such a long journey ahead of me :(

Hi all! I am considering going back to school to get my DVM

I got my GED at 18(I was homeschooled) and I’m currently a groomer at a vet office. I’ve been grooming for 10+ years and working in the animal field longer so I started thinking about potentially continuing my education.

I started doing some research and it looks like it’s roughly an 8 year program and 200k+/- in tuition.

I’ve had the luxury of living a debt free lifestyle with my husband with our home paid off and only one car payment. Both of us work decent paying jobs.

I’m scared to make such a large financial commitment and the amount of time in school. I was never good in school to begin with. In addition to this my husband wants to go back to school to get his RN and I feel like it would be a lot for both of us to go back at the same time. He of course is supportive but I don’t want to overload us.

How do you decide? This will be my first time considering college I went strait into Dog Grooming and the past couple of years I’ve been wanting a change in career.

I graduated in 2020 and went to a state school at the peak of the pandemic and it ultimately resulted in a mental health episode/8 month depression spell due to many factors, and I ended up flunking out my first semester. I was a slightly- above average student in high school with 4 CAP classes, 3.8 GPA, 32 ACT and 1280 SAT. The regular pressures of college combined with the isolation of the pandemic just made it a really difficult time for me.
I’ve made great strides in my mental health journey but I still struggle occasionally, so I think an online community college is the best option for me to go back. Not a single person in my family has gone to college in any form and I’m just stuck at how and where I start exactly. My grades from that one semester were abysmal. Do I need to do anything before applying to a community college? Like retake any tests or any reeducation courses? I’m finally ready and motivated to get my life back on track I’m just at a loss of where exactly to start. Thank you for any advice you can give me :)