Don't know if I belong!

[John Stargel]

Hello,
I don't know if I belong, since I'm not a mom, and am not a working adult due to a disability. I am, however, at age 59 going back to school. I'm working on a degree in Network Management. Was a construction worker for over thirty years.

Have a good day!

[Eduardo Peirano]

Hi John, yes you are welcome to this group. All non traditional students, including adults with disabilities can contribute and share their story with other similar learners. It will certainly be very useful to the members of this group

[John Stargel]

I'm glad to belong.
Have a good day!
John

[Steven Dulmes]

Glad to see you are not afraid to step out, search something else out, and start anew. I have had many students like you in my class, one a quadrapalegic who was one of my best students ever. I too amy starting something new even though I am happy and quite safe where I am. I am working on a new program called Optics and Photonics.

Prof. Steve

[Dolly Dagger]

I am also a disabled adult without children who, last year, returned to college to persue my Associates in Computer Information Systems (CIS). Network Admin. will be my field of choice after I obtain my AAS and certs. in Network+, Linux+, Server+ (you get the picture). For 20 years, I was both a book keeper and a purchasing agent.

Our stories are somewhat similar, and I look forward to hearing more about your educational venture.

Take care everyone.

[Elizabeth Sheppard]

Hi, John! I went back to college when I was 49. I learned so much, not just about the schoolwork. I hope you like your courses. I think Network Management is a field that is very good right now, many jobs and people needed in that field. I wish you much success. I went back for teaching certification, but if there is ever anything I can help you with, let me know. I can help with hints on making study groups or younger freinds for sure.

[Deb Peterson]

Hi John,
I followed Elizabeth here. Nice group! I'm a lifelong learner and an advocate for non-traditional students. I'm also the Guide to Continuing Education over at About.com. I think one of the things most adults have trouble with when going back to school is balancing everything. I'm finding it difficult myself to juggle all of the wonderful social networking sites. Throw school, work, gardening, walking the dogs, and spending time on a relationship in there and there isn't time in the day. If you've got kids, yowie.
Congrats on your decision to learn something new at 59. Isn't it exciting?

[Susie Matias]

I'm sorry to hear you are on disability, but college does give you another chance at possibilities.
If you are going back, did you decide when?
Are you attending classes or did you decide to go online?

I'm dissatisfied with the educational system- I've been a teacher for over ten years.
I thought I was a natural and needed some current updates on the procedures, so I acquired my associates in E.C.E. and was told ( mistakenly that is) that I would be "grandfathered" in and have a great position for as long as I wanted.
Not the case.
I've had to start from the bottom of the pay scale. Also, I've had to sacrifice my integrity. With the position, they've lessened my responsibilities. That's what hurts the
most.
So I too, have decided to change careers. I'm going back in Sept. 2009.

I wish you luck and please, keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

[John Stargel]

Hi,

I would like to go back in the fall, though I don't know if that will be possible. I have taken both online, and lecture classes. Did well on some, not so good in others. It's a long story. Perhaps I'll write it someday.

Thank you for giving a little of your time to me!
John

Susie Matias said:

I'm sorry to hear you are on disability, but college does give you another chance at possibilities.
If you are going back, did you decide when?
Are you attending classes or did you decide to go online?

I'm dissatisfied with the educational system- I've been a teacher for over ten years.
I thought I was a natural and needed some current updates on the procedures, so I acquired my associates in E.C.E. and was told ( mistakenly that is) that I would be "grandfathered" in and have a great position for as long as I wanted.
Not the case.
I've had to start from the bottom of the pay scale. Also, I've had to sacrifice my integrity. With the position, they've lessened my responsibilities. That's what hurts the
most.
So I too, have decided to change careers. I'm going back in Sept. 2009.

I wish you luck and please, keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

[LanaM]

Wow-- I didn't even notice the "sub-heading" for the group. I'm not a mom or a working adult, either. I was able to retire early in 2003, and returned to college full-time in Sept. 2003. I usually carried a full load -- 18-20 credits every quarter, usually 4-6 credits in the summer -- and graduated with a bachelors in music in June 2006 with a triple major in Composition, Conducting, and Vocal Performance, just shy of my 55th birthday.

I'm now in grad school, finishing my thesis, going for a M.Mus. in Music History & Literature (and may be finishing the requirements for a second "major" in composition, if all goes well this fall). I'm not looking for another career -- I'm doing this strictly for my own enjoyment.

Not sure what I'll do after this. I think I want a break for a year or so. My thesis advisor is *strongly* encouraging me to continue on for a D.M.A. (Doctor of Musical Arts), and expand my thesis topic into a full length dissertation, but I've been in school almost continuously since 2003, and I really would like some time off.

[Dolly Dagger]

Awesome! You are taking the proverbial bull by the horns and are going forth with godspeed. Congratulations, I know you're proud.

LanaM said:

Wow-- I didn't even notice the "sub-heading" for the group. I'm not a mom or a working adult, either. I was able to retire early in 2003, and returned to college full-time in Sept. 2003. I usually carried a full load -- 18-20 credits every quarter, usually 4-6 credits in the summer -- and graduated with a bachelors in music in June 2006 with a triple major in Composition, Conducting, and Vocal Performance, just shy of my 55th birthday.

I'm now in grad school, finishing my thesis, going for a M.Mus. in Music History & Literature (and may be finishing the requirements for a second "major" in composition, if all goes well this fall). I'm not looking for another career -- I'm doing this strictly for my own enjoyment.

Not sure what I'll do after this. I think I want a break for a year or so. My thesis advisor is *strongly* encouraging me to continue on for a D.M.A. (Doctor of Musical Arts), and expand my thesis topic into a full length dissertation, but I've been in school almost continuously since 2003, and I really would like some time off.

[Nelly Meg]

I am also 59 and returning to college this week.I attended college 40 years ago for a couple of years.I will be attending a local technical college to work on an associate degree for physical therapy assistant. Due to the fact that I am low income and don't have a degree, it looks like I will receive ample grants and work study funds, so that I won't have to take out loans. I encourage any of you in similar situation to check it out. So far, so good.

[Mary Davis]

Such a great suggestion to look into work study and grants! It's always good to look into all the possibilities that ma be available to you. Never assume you won't qualify. As a former community college adviser, I know that the economic criteria for assistance are not as strict as many would think.

Nelly Meg said:

I am also 59 and returning to college this week.I attended college 40 years ago for a couple of years.I will be attending a local technical college to work on an associate degree for physical therapy assistant. Due to the fact that I am low income and don't have a degree, it looks like I will receive ample grants and work study funds, so that I won't have to take out loans. I encourage any of you in similar situation to check it out. So far, so good.