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Needing Help!!!!!!
I am in need of help. I am finally in a position to be able to go to school. I am very nervous, since I have not been in school since 1995 and am 28 years old. I have no idea how or where to even start. I also have three children, two of which are in school and one that is not and a husband. My husband is able and very willing to work all of the overtime that he needs to be able to pay all of the household things. FYI He is able to pick up all of the overtime that he wants and has great job sercurity. I would not have to work while going to school. I have decieded on a nursing degree, although those of you with degrees in other area may also be able to help me out. I would like to know what questions that you think are important to ask? What questions did you wish you would have asked? How hard is it to get finacial aid? What are the finacial aide programs (loans, pellgrant, ect)? If I need help in classes are there ways to get that help? What are the downfalls of attending college (things in household, relationship wise, ect.) I have always wanted to go to college, but the course of life has always derailed my dream. I am really scared of failing and letting myself and others down. I want to thank everyone who is able to help me in any way possible!
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
Congratulations! This is my plan as well, and our age & school history are similiar. I was just talking about this to someone, and I was discussing how awful professors can be- definitely make sure you can show up to class on time. They are incredibly unsympathetic, even about childcare issues. (I almost got into a fight in one college class for defending a woman who showed up for class with her infant, due to a no-show babysitter......she reminded me of my aunt & mom, who finished school despite having kids....)
If you have "problem subjects" (mine is calculus) pay a private tutor to help you. There are plenty of starving students who will give good tutorials for cash payment.
I want to go back to school but I like working, I like my freedom. I'll probably finish slowly. A straight degree is no guarantee of work anymore. Nursing is a good field choice.
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
kryssy, congrats on your decision! dont' worry about being 28 and going back, there might be times when you feel like an old fart around all the younger people but just remind yourself, it's better late than never.
i was 26 when i went to cosmetology school, the majority of the others were like 18-21 but there were lots of ladies much older, like in their 40's even.
it can be hard to get financial aid, and if they base it on your household income you may not be able to get it, if your husband can afford to be the only one working while you go to school. most likey you will be able to get loans but not a grant. it is possible though, dont get discouraged, every situation is different.
there are plenty of ways to get help, you should ask all these questions to your counselor who helps you get started.
dont' worry girl you will be fine! things will probably be hectic at home and you will be busier obviously but people do it all the time. try not to worry too much and try not to overload yourself with too many classes all at once, in the beginning. start out slow to get yourself back into the groove of being in school again. i am excited for you, also you will meet so many new friends, it will be hard but fun too. good luck and keep us posted. sorry if i rambled too much in this post :D
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
Kryssy, you are far from too old. 28 is actually probably closer to the average college age student than 18, really.
My advice-go to a local college or university (public) and hit the registrar's office. They'll help you get started.
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
I have an appointment with a school tomorrow at 5 p.m.that specializes in Nursing!!!
Thank you everyone for the help. I really need to get a pellgrant or something like it to be able to attend school. We are frugal when it comes to living and I know alot of money saving techiques. My husband doesn't make that much money to support 5 people acording to the federal proverty level. I should be able to get the grant.
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
Kryssy- that's awesome! Don't be nervous about your age, because there were and are plenty of people that are my parent's age in my classes. There was also a lady that was my grandmother's age! You'll do great! :)
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
Congrats Kryssy !
My advice to you is get your house extremely organized before school starts. That will help ease the stress a bit. Also, cooking a couple of meals on the weekend and freezing them helps save time too. Most schools have re-entry programs for folks who have been out of school so be sure to ask your advisor/counselor/admissions advisor about them. Be upfront
with everyone you deal with at the school and let them know your situation. Most instructors/professors are kind and understand that students come with different issues.
So never be afraid to ask them for help, that goes for school work too. Remember they
are there for you ! You are the one paying your tuition for your education, which in turn pays their salaries.So in my mind that makes them accountable to you. If you haven't done so already you can fill out your FAFSA online www.fafsa.edu
Be sure to do a search for scholarships too. There are many funds available. Some just for people with a desire to enter into the nursing field and re-entry students. Check with the financial aid office at your school for any extra funds that might be available to you too.
Good luck and if I think of anything else I'll be sure to add it.
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
If I remember correctly, you were talking about how you had problems with organization and time management. If that's the case, you might want to rethink nursing or consider advanced practice nursing. I'm in the same boat. I have alot of trouble with organization and time management and am pursuing nursing but I will go on to be a nurse practitioner because I know I can't handle the prioritizing/time management/organizational skills required of hospital bedside nursing. Just food for thought.
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
Congrats Kryssy!!!
You are never too old to go to college, ever! When I went to Murray State, there was an 87 yr old woman in my Psych class who was working on her masters, lol.
I plan on going back next year for my masters, then who knows, lol.
I do have it a bit easier than you do, just for the fact that my kiddo is already in school too.
But I will still be working as well. Even if it's only one or two days a week, I'll still be there. It will give me time away from school and home.
Have you considered that too?
And DO NOT EVER forget that every teacher will treat you like the only class you have it theirs. They will pile on so much homework that you will be praying for high school again, lol.
I don't want to scare you, just trying to keep it real. And let you know that it will happen.
Best of luck hun, and if you need help in Anatomy class, I think I can still remember most of it, lol.
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Re: Needing Help!!!!!!
Thank you everyone for your help! I took my entry tests and passed all of them at college level. I am not going to a huge University, but to small college. The average class size is around 15 people. There are only around 525 people enrolled with different majors. The school is well known in my area.
Pinky, I will not be working full time, like I was when I made that post. In fact I won't be working at all. I might work part time after the first year. I want to give myself time to adjust to just going to school and taking care of the family. I will be going to school for 3 nights a week.
I also now have the help of my father and step-mother. My husband is also doing a great deal. He knows that this is my dream and wants to do anything that will help me to achieve it.
Again Thank All Of You For Your Help!!!!!!!!
High ho High ho it's off to school I go!!!!!!!!!!!