Adult College Students - Take a Bow!

by zenpunk 20 Replies latest jw friends

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  Lady Lee

  I went back to school after I lef the borg at 33 years old. I tried a couple of courses which I did well enough at to encourage me to go back to school full time. For those of you who did not finish high school I went back as a mature student and didn't have to get my high school diploma first.

  I enrolled in a 3-yr professional counseling program and finished in the top three of the class along with 2 other mature students. We had about 1/3 of the class as mature students.

  After I finished that I continued on to university again specializing n counseling and abuse issues. My girls were teens by then and it took me a little longer to finish but I graduated in 1994.

  And now after a break of a few years I am considering going back for my masters
• 

  Valis

  Lady Lee, if at all possible, try to get your masters and then your PHD at different Universities. If not, then I'm sure you will do fine, but I can tell you it looks much better for you if this is possible. It shows maturity and the willingness to get away from those who know you, mainly profs that you have been kissing up to for semesters, and you are willing to accept new challenges and directions of thought........just my another 4.65 cents worth.

  Sincerely,

  District Overbeer
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  ChrisVance

  I'm 52 and a senior at Arizona State University. If everything goes as planned I'll graduate in December with a BA in Spanish. I was an exchange student in Mexico during Spring semester. I plan to do my Master's at the same university in Mexico. I work nights at the U and attend classes in the mornings and try to sleep in the afternoons. Keeps me very busy, but it's worth it. I always regretted not going to college so when I retired from the State of Washing in 2000 I decided to go for it. The younger students and the professors have been very supportive. I recommend it to anyone who regrets not doing it when they were young.
• 

  larc

  I find threads like this to very heart warming. Some of us have grown up through the concrete, and our testimony gives hope to others that they can make it too. There have been threads on this subject before and some really good experiences have been related. I started one that you can find, if you do a search on the word "education". Many good stories there. Anyway, I am glad that so many have had such good success after leaving the religion.
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  AjaxMan

  Although I was never a JW and I am already a college graduate, let me salute, applaud and congratulate all of you for your accomplishments. I also cannot help but admire the work and efforts that all of you did in seeking and obtaining a college education as you all had to go thru a lot of obstacles.

  I certainly hope that your stories of success will inspire many other posters here who could not afford or take the opportunity to go to college because to me, all of your experiences are very inspiring. One main thing that you all showed and taught in this thread is that "It is never late to obtain an education."

  My 2 cents.

  Regards,

  Ajax
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  Bodhisattva

  I take night courses, six credits at a time during the fall and spring semesters. Someday I have to go for summer classes, too, but it is so nice to have a little time off - that is, only working 40 hours a week (well, 70 last week). I have 30 credits down and a 3.8 gpa. I guess I'm a youngster here - only 30. But boy do I feel old in those classrooms.

  I was already taking courses before I left. Two items:

  1. When I was leaving work at 4:45 to rush to class, then rushing from class to get to the meetings just early enough to beat almost everyone else to the hall, it was spoken of as admirable. When I left, my mother determined that my going to college was materialistic. Interestingly, my course load had not changed. Jebus, how did I do homework and talks and sound and so on?

  2. A fellow ministerial servant just a bit older than me was quite well-off with a degree in a lucrative field. So I was surprised when his elder father visited and I learned he was raised "in the truth." This should have put his entire college experience before the (partial) lifting of the ban in 1992, but his father told me he reasoned this way and that about the Society's warnings. In other words, he wanted to send his kid to school and he rationalized it.

  The god of the dolphins has fins.
• 

  dmouse

  It all started many years ago. After leaving school in 1977 with nothing in the way of qualifications (didn't need anything as the world was about to end) I bummed my way through several mediocre jobs.

  Then I had an epiphany - I wanted to be a teacher. I also realised that the world wasn't about to end. So...

  I worked my butt off for several years getting enough 'A' levels and GCSEs (English exam qualifications) to enable me to apply to University.

  Four years ago I was accepted at Nottingham Trent University, England, where I enrolled for a BA (Hons) degree in Education.

  At the age of 41 I have now just finished the course, and this very day I went to get my results (which have just been released today).

  I am now the proud owner of a 2/1 BA (Hons) degree!

  (A 'two-one' is quite a good degree, the very top being a 'first', then a 2/1 then a 2/2 then a 'third', and finally 'pass')

  Tonight I celebrate with a glass or two of bubbly!

  It doesn't matter how old you are, if you have a dream - go for it!
• 

  worf

  Hey dantheman,

  I'm 40 and just started at college for the first time in my life this past spring semester. I love it! I also skipped college because I grew up in the borg. I also always loved math like you do and intend to make it my major. I'd like to teach it someday too. I 'm working fulltime and going in the evening and it can be rough, but it is worth it. Going for the BA at first.

  Worf
• 

  HomebutHiding

  Puufsrule: "Elderly!" Goodness! We prefer the title, "nontraditional student." I am almost 46, and in the fall I will be starting my 3rd year in college as a psych major. I have won merit scolarships two years running, have been asked to be a teaching assistant (TA), and I maintain a 4.22 (My school gives A+s) All of this after a 27 yr. hiatus from high school, during which time I became a JW and a pioneer. Of course, college ed. was a no no. 4.22? Eat it, Bethel!
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  plmkrzy

  I'm ALMOST DONE! I am also a bit tooo supersticious, yeah yeah whatever. But I never talk about any project that i'm working on until I finish it. (Well, not in detail)

  I started almost completely from scratch. I went back to HIGH school at the age of 34 with an 8th grade education. Working 3 part time jobs Monday through Sunday. Raising 2 teen age boys on my own. Got my deploma and went on to college. Took some time off from working and attended college full time for a year so I could get more of the required courses out of my way. I will be finished this year. And I'm petrified.Hats off to all who got thier degree's!!!

  plum