<p>I have always thought that one day I would return to and complete a graduate program. Necessity has not allowed me to do so, but as I am slowly approaching “middle age.” (Not me…40’s are the new 30’s and 30’s are the new 20’s…so I consider myself to be 20 something or other, lol). Anyway…I was wondering if anyone else out here thinks about returning to school for enjoyment, and not for necessities sake? If so, what would you study? I am seriously considering History. I am not interested in teaching it. I just love it.</p>
<p>My husband and I are both “students” at the local community college, for continuing ed classes. I’m taking the first year Spanish course (with 4 others in its series—I’d really like to learn the language), and will be starting a creative writing course in October. H just started the Real Estate Broker pre-licensing course tonight. Although I am ultimately envious of my freshman D’s new life as a college student, I realize that it’s the college life and learning and experiencing so many new things that I long for. A full class load isn’t on my current agenda :)</p>
<p>I worked 14 years after college, was a stay-at-home mom, then went back to NW’s adult education and got a certificate in accounting one course at a time for a few years. I then went through a few years of part-time work in related areas and have now worked for the same company for almost 7 years. I didn’t need to get an additional degree (it’s like a second bachelors degree) but didn’t want to return to the same kind of work as pre-kid. It really gave me a sense of accomplishment. Parenting - never before had I failed to accomplish goals so often yet had to continue to try. It was a great feeling to say “I got an A! I’m actually still smart! My brain still works!” And I do want to take classes just for pleasure down the road. Maybe ancient history, maybe cooking, maybe stained glass, maybe romantic literature (I feel like I’m becoming an expert on that). College towns have become prime retirement living and this is one major reason - the ability to continue learning.</p>
<p>I want to go back to school and major in EVERYTHING! I’d love to just study Literature, get in all those books I missed over the years, or had so little life experience I didn’t “get them” when I was 17.</p>
<p>I have taken a few comm college classes and enjoyed them all very much. I also enjoyed their price tags!</p>
<p>My wife has gone back to community college part time and is going through the math sequence to see about going full time for a Math degree. She’s up to trig this semester and is taking one other class. She works part-time mornings.</p>
<p>My youngest son, a HS junior, is taking Calculus 1 at the same school, in addition to his normal load.</p>
<p>My oldest son had trouble at UC last year so is taking a full load at the same school, including Calculus 2.</p>
<p>We know how to party in this house!</p>
<p>This is just the thing for you, fencersmother:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.stjohnscollege.edu/outreach/AN/cefa.shtml[/url]”>http://www.stjohnscollege.edu/outreach/AN/cefa.shtml</a></p>
<p>St. John’s Annapolis is not too far from you, and by all accounts their Continuing Education classes are amazing. My mother takes one course a year at their Santa Fe campus. I would be doing this too, if I could!</p>
<p>I am in the middle of a Master’s Degree in Digital Media at London Met. I am both the oldest person and the least computer-genius person in the program. However, there are other things I bring to the table, and I think that some of the much-younger students’ projects suffer from a lack of depth of ideas (of course I would never tell them that), which comes from years of computer-game abuse.</p>
<p>Im going back to school to begin a two year Landscape Design program.
I am very excited- even though I am having an awful time finding work boots.
Ive already thrashed my hiking boots- my old Doc Martens don’t fit that well ( I think my feet grew) and I won’t order new ones because they are all made in China ( plus I already ordered Timberland boots- that i have to return because they don’t fit- that were made in China- I think I have heard their quality control- isnt so good 
)</p>
<p>This will be my third vocational type program ( about 30 years ago I worked as a hairdresser- 10 years ago I lasted halfway through a very intense massage therapy program ( included cadaver anatomy ) which I really enjoyed- but I also suspect that in this area- we are saturated with massage therapists- given by the ones who also are homeopaths- yoga instructors-acupuncturists etc.
However- I am very excited about getting professional training in something that has been a pretty serious hobby for about 20 years & from talking to others in the field- it is far from saturated, they need more people in fact :)</p>
<p>Although last night- when I attended the orientation for new students- I suspect ( Ok- I knew I was irritating her- but I am almost 50 years old- those recently graduated high school students aren’t going to know any different- if I don’t set them straight who will? ) I was irritating the advisor giving the talk when I made just a couple * clarifications* on financial aid and how classes transfer.
( I also have worked as a college transfer advisor at another college)
I know I should have kept quiet, but I couldn’t when the information was not really up to date.</p>
<p>And even though I had really enjoyed my previous academic classes ( well mostly), how thrilled am I to not to have to write a research paper! ( I hope 
)</p>
<p>In WA state, I have to take three courses every five years, to keep my teaching credential. There are no restrictions on what to take, but I like to take them online, because it’s so much easier that way (my schedule, not theirs). I’ve taken oceanography, weather, the English novel from 1800-1850, geology, accounting… a few others. I also took Italian on a non-credit basis at a local CC. (If I did a language again, I’d look for an intensive course in-country.) </p>
<p>I have also found, as EmeraldKity points out, that being an older student can sometimes mean that you’re the one with the experience and knowledge. I have found that I am <em>really</em> good at annoying the heck out of the instructor, as a result.</p>
<p>I’m glad to hear that some of you are good at annoying the instructor. Part of me wants any instruction to be a 2 way dialogue, as I always have plenty of questions. But it seems most just sit there, and I have to balance being irritating with my questions and sometimes greater perspectives, and shutting my mouth, because I don’t want to be intimidating.</p>
<p>Anuddahmom: I love the St. Johns programs, and almost went there undergrad MANY years ago, per my father’s recommendation. Because he recommended it, I went elsewhere. Anyway, I would enroll in a heart beat, but with an expected outgo of $90-100K for tuitions, etc. next year, I think the chances of this fencers’ mother going to college (again) are slim, fat, and nil.</p>