<p>I’m sitting here just realizing how all my past mistakes are coming back to haunt me. I should have listened to my mom and just focused in school but now it’s too late for me…I hope someone actually reads this and responds but I’ve been failing even at that as well. </p>
<p>Ever since I was 8, I’ve always done poorly in schools. This isn’t indicative of my mother; my family has always been very much about getting an education and doing well, to the point where at the time it was very stressful for me. In the past, I relied on tests to get me by; I did really poor in middle school and I got into one of the best high schools for my state because I took a test (my mom made me study for it too; it’s not like I took it on a whim and passed, not that smart) and passed. The school was so competitive and even more pressure was placed on me to perform well since I was the only person out of all the kids in my family (talking about cousins since I’m an only child, I have a very close-knit family) to get in, but I did even worse and worse. I’d be present in the classes and follow class discussion in the subjects that I was interested in but I would always end up never doing any work and my mom would just get more disappointed in me. It was a vicious cycle and it got to the point where I would just cut class all day and just stay in the library so at least I didn’t have to deal with going to them. </p>
<p>Needless to say, I didn’t graduate on time and I ended up going to a four year school that was a good hour and a half commute because my mom didn’t want to deal with the ‘shame’ of going to a community college. Now I knew going into college I HAD to do well and I tried for the first semester. I cut out all of my friends, I didn’t do any cirriculars…it was just school. And I did pretty well, I ended up getting a 3.47…but that quickly changed for several reasons (but I don’t want to make this even longer than it already is) and I stopped going to class and I was really depressed. I had academic dismissal and I ended up getting only 19 credits from that college. I spent a year working at my aunt’s daycare and I enrolled for school at the community college near me (Kingsborough…I live in New York). Now before classes started I made sure I was enrolled in therapy and they said they are currently in the middle of diagnosing me and I’ve been perscribed medication to deal with some of the issues I’ve been having although they aren’t sure yet what it is (they know I have depression for sure though). </p>
<p>The medication has been helping and I feel a new bout of determination in focusing on my studies and doing what I need to do. The other day I saw an flyer posted in my school about Columbia University and now I just can’t get it out of my head. But now I’m realizing that maybe it’s too late for me. I’m just looking back at all of the things I could have accomplished and didn’t and it makes me feel like…nothing. Right now I’m 22…I should have graduated by now.</p>
<p>Know you’re not the first person to ever value the benefit of an education more after traditional college time. But now you do. Ask yourself- what do I want now? What can I do to make it happen now? Then put the plan into action.</p>
<p>Columbia has a school called the Columbia School of General Studies which is specifically meant for non traditional students. There’s even some adults there. Google it and check it out</p>
<p>The average college student is in her mid twenties, and studies part-time at a community college.</p>
<p>Yes, you read that correctly.</p>
<p>Since you don’t know what you want out of life, figure that out first. When you have a specific career goal, then look for the appropriate training program for that career. It might not be college at all.</p>
<p>You have time and options. Try not to fixate on missed opportunities or ‘should haves’ but I know it is hard to do!</p>
<p>This may be way off base, but have you ever been tested for LDs (learning disabilities)?
Your story sounds similar to family members I know who are gifted and dyslexic, sometimes referred to as 2E. For them, there was surprisingly little the schools could offer in support or services, but knowing about it and learning techniques to deal with it in academic situations has helped. I know one family member read “The Gift of Dyslexia” and was shocked and relieved to find how much the book resonated with his mindset.</p>
<p>I have always thought that I would have gotten much more out of college if I had attended it when I was older and more mature. I wouldn’t let your age stop you. You will come in with a different perspective. Go for it!</p>
<p>Its absolutely NOT too late. My oldest son told me he takes so much ribbing from people he works with now BECAUSE he went to college right out of high school and graduated in four years. His “best buddy” at work is 28, has attended at least two colleges and is finally finishing this year. Go when you are ready…when you are really ready.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for replying. I know that the median age of people in college is a lot higher than my own but my family does not see it this way. I’m under a lot of pressure to make sure I do well and succeed, especially since now my mom isn’t making as much money and I need to make sure I’m able to help her in the future, which is presents a whole other issue since I have to support myself financially. But I know that other people do this all the time so I just gotta suck it up.</p>
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Elnamo, I know…I saw the flyer at my school. The only problem is paying for it since GS students usually do not get as much financial aid as their counterparts which is why I kept looking back at my past errors and realizing I shot myself in the foot by not excelling academically. </p>
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<p>Trilliums,
I’m being diagnosed right now. My last therapist said I may have ADD that’s inattentive but I didn’t see her for too long. My mom knew I had some issues but there’s a lot of stigma in my family with mental illness. I’m most likely not dyslexic; I used to be an avid reader.</p>
<p>read the book: driven to distraction. If it sounds like you…then find someone who will absolutely give you the right medicine. You can write a great personal essay…and you never know what financial or merit aid you will get! Think Positive. It’s never too late. and, there are other great schools in NYC…</p>
<p>Don’t call yourself a failure at age 22 and did not finish college. I did not START college until I was 22 and my friend. Lawson, in the same class started the college at 32.</p>
<p>I believe I had ADD before age 22 because I could not sit down study anything. I went to a magnet Jr. High. as a result, I was able to get in this feeder HS and it was tough on me and I just let it go, did not study too much after that. Between the start of HS and age 22, my life was a mess. I had no directions and without much work ethics. However, after got into this third tier college, I woke up and start studying hard. After all, I am a late bloomer and did pretty good ever since. I bought three homes all cash with some money leftover for investment/retirement and basically semi retired.</p>