Sitting in a front row desk with my folder, book, and pen neatly placed in front of me, I look around at the young students strolling into the room. I smile nervously and give my full attention to the teacher who has begun to speak. A paper is handed out outlining the expectations for the course, and I am overwhelmed. What am I doing here? How will I accomplish this? Stress settles in the pit of my stomach. My pulse quickens. I am the new student. Or rather, the “old” new student. I am the single parent returning to school to make a change in career. And frankly, I am terrified!
It is so difficult to switch gears in mid-life and seek a new course. Exciting, but very stressful. Leaving a profession I had been in for twelve years to return to college and acquire a degree in what? I was not certain of where I was headed. First, I had to pass required prequisite courses, which included math. Math was never a subject that I liked in school, and I know I daydreamed through most of it. This would be a challenge.
This is a challenge that many face today with the state of our economy and the job market. With all of the layoffs, many middle-aged adults are returning to school to learn new professions. Colleges are getting filled to capacity, and tuition rates are increasing.
If you are finding yourself in a similar situation, first of all, don’t panic! You are never too old to learn! Start out with taking an aptitude test to discover where your interests and undiscovered talents may lie. You can do these online through your local community college. Then, go to the college and talk to a counselor. They will direct you into taking a placement test. Don’t stress out about this test. It is a diagnostic test to ascertain where you are at academically. You want the right fit when you start classes. Being in a class that is too advanced can be very discouraging. You may qualify for free financial aid. A Pell Grant with the government goes by your previous year’s income, and this is not money that you have to pay back. You can apply for this online. Go to www.fafsa.com. Also, you can apply for a federal Stafford loan. This one you do have to pay back, but they are very easy to qualify for, and they have flexible repayment arrangements. There are private student loans too that you can apply for, such as Sallie Mae. This is with a higher interest rate, and they are more stringent about repayment schedules. There are many scholarships available too. These cover a wide range of possibilities.
If you’re concerned about being the older student and fitting in, don’t worry about it! According to the U.S. Department of Education, adult students are the fastest growing demographic. If being in a classroom does not fit in with your lifestyle, there are many online courses available. Remember this important fact, the higher the education, the higher the income. So, get motivated, go back to school, and start realizing your lifelong dream. You can do it!
Sharon Robinson
Tags: Sharon Robinson
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