Going to College After a Long Break?

[GoGoKokiGo]

I wasn't a big fan of school so when I graduated from high school, I went straight into working. I was laid off over a year ago and the housewife thing is just not for me. So I'm going back to school! I'm 25 and a little nervous about this. Has anyone else or is anyone else going to college after a long break? How old were you? How was it? Are there any things that I should know about before I get started?

[gafee2001]

I am currently a college student, and it was not weird to have older people in my classes. I wouldn't worry about it, if anyone asks you, just tell them that you're going back to school and people will actually be proud of you. Don't worry!

[SammR]

I'm also in college, and it certainly doesn't bother me. I'd guess that most college students are more concerned about their own wellbeing and actually graduating to worry about anyone else's college career.

[yolandazwei1]

I would love to go back to college and take a few classes

[cgustudent]

Honestly, don't be self-conscious.  Don't worry about it, nowadays, especially because of the economy, a lot of older, non-traditional students are going back.  I'm 26 and going back for my 2nd degree (I'm in the same class as 18 year olds).  I feel like going back at this age, I'm more focused and you have a different mentality from most of the students coming straight out of high school.  Just keep focused and stay motivated and you'll do well!

[cloudsoup]

i took a year &a half off right after highschool.
i had no idea what i wanted to do, was working
and making decent money, and my parents didn't
want me jumping on the bandwagon and going
to the local schools just because everyone else was.
they preferred i waited until i knew what the heck
i wanted to do with my life.

...i'm glad i waited. i moved away, went to art school,
and now have a degree in interior design. i'm 23 and
if i had started the college adventure as a fresh 18 year
old graduate, i don't think i would've put my heart and soul
into it. i would've been doing what was expected of me
and would've been burnt out on the whole school thing.

breaks are really effective, i think. they give you time
to focus on yourself for awhile. college is a huge
responsibility and i don't think i would have been ready
for it if i had walked onto a campus at 18  

[dreamyxo]

I would like to go back to school if I had the money.  I already have a degree so I would go for a different field.  I think if I went back to school now (in my 30's) I would be a better student, not that I was a bad student before, but I would know what to expect and know I have to stay on top of things better.

[Valerie1979]

i waited 5 years from undergrad to my graduate work and I certainly was more focused and more well rounded enough to make great progress in graduate school

[GoGoKokiGo]

Thank you all so much. I feel a lot better about this now.