College Anyone?

[qaguy]

Just wondering if anyone else out there happens to be in college...Despite my advanced years and those of my wife, we are both enrolled in classes this fall

A couple friends of ours were taking some online courses last year and we decided to check it out. Not a bad deal with the financial aid that they give you and it has given me a chance to brush up on a few things.

I am majoring in Industrial Applications, basically a course for someone who wants to be in charge of a factory at some point. Interesting stuff but the core classes are killing me right now. The worst is Speech. Not a big fan of speaking in front of people as it is and this is likely going to be my worst class.

My wife is studying elementary education....She also hates speech but she is much better at it than I am.

We are both dreading math, which we have to take next semester.

Overall it has been a positive experience. The entire thing is done online and they give us plenty of time to get things done. Much easier since I work thirds. I usually come home and do a few things before I hit the sack. Still feels weird being back in school after so many years though. Amazing how much I have forgotten in that time.

[stewart73]

I think what you guys are doing is great...so much more so because you can do it together. I don't regret any of my time in post-secondary studies (8 years!)...enjoyed all of it. Good luck to you guys and good on ya for doing it!

[Midknight]

I started my first semester of college 2 weeks ago, and I am being attacked with reading assignments! Not that I don't love to read, because I do, but reading 3 chapters a night from 3 different subjects is not fun. The class that is the worst for me is Honors Philosophy. Reading 50 pages of that book takes me hours because I struggle to understand what the writer is saying. It is almost like philosphers get some type of wierd high by making people struggle to understand them.

And yes, you read right, I am in the Honors program for no other reason other than to be in it. At first I needed to be in it to get my scholarship monies, but a few months back I got a letter from the college that they are replacing my Honors scholarship with a scholarship worth twice the money and I didn't have to be in the Honors program!!! Well, here I am, still in the Honors program with no benefit other than the fact that I get to be in a certain building. Not sure how long I will remain in the Honors program, especially if my GPA starts to go down, which I need to stay above 3.5 in order to get my scholarship for the next 2 yrs. After that I won't be getting a scholarship anymore.

Welp, back to reading philosophy!!! WOOT!

[rocketmoon2]

I have been taking a break from college the last couple of years but i will be starting again soon. Im sure the first few months im back at school will be very tough but once i get back in to it, it will be good.

[beerdoodle]

need..........................http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWD4TKkEjr8

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Midnight

I started my first semester of college 2 weeks ago, and I am being attacked with reading assignments! Not that I don't love to read, because I do, but reading 3 chapters a night from 3 different subjects is not fun. The class that is the worst for me is Honors Philosophy. Reading 50 pages of that book takes me hours because I struggle to understand what the writer is saying. It is almost like philosphers get some type of wierd high by making people struggle to understand them.
...

Welp, back to reading philosophy!!! WOOT!

You should try reading Immanuel Kant's "Critique of Pure Reason". Now there is a fun book to read!

If it's not in your Honors philosophy curriculum, you should still read it. You can get a free copy from the Gutenberg project at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4280

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by qaguy

Just wondering if anyone else out there happens to be in college...Despite my advanced years and those of my wife, we are both enrolled in classes this fall

A couple friends of ours were taking some online courses last year and we decided to check it out. Not a bad deal with the financial aid that they give you and it has given me a chance to brush up on a few things.

I am majoring in Industrial Applications, basically a course for someone who wants to be in charge of a factory at some point. Interesting stuff but the core classes are killing me right now. The worst is Speech. Not a big fan of speaking in front of people as it is and this is likely going to be my worst class.

My wife is studying elementary education....She also hates speech but she is much better at it than I am.

We are both dreading math, which we have to take next semester.

Overall it has been a positive experience. The entire thing is done online and they give us plenty of time to get things done. Much easier since I work thirds. I usually come home and do a few things before I hit the sack. Still feels weird being back in school after so many years though. Amazing how much I have forgotten in that time.

I would urge you and your wife to join the local Toastmaster's club. Great way to get comfortable with public speaking.

[Midknight]

Thanks Rudy, I will have to look into it.

For the Honors Philosophy class I am reading parts of "Existentialism: From Dostoevsky to Satre", "Existentialism Basic Writings Second Edition", and "The Good Life" Edited by Charles Guignon. Not fun to read at all. lol

[qaguy]

It has been an experience already with this college deal....The school we are attending makes everyone attend a course that is designed to teach you how to go to college.....I find it rather off-putting myself, most of it being just basic stuff, but I am sure they have their reasons.

My English Comp prof was making a point about research the other day and evidently did not know that my wife and I are of the more advanced years division of college students...She was talking about using an old card file at a library and said "I am sure none of you know what I am talking about."

I promptly spoke up and informed her that indeed I knew exactly what she was talking about and also said that I miss those days...I spent many hours flipping through the old card file looking for a specific book. It feels like those were more real times and experiences....Before the days of Google, and Wikipedia...Back when you had to actually go to the library and look up what you needed to write about.

[emoryjim]

I am working on my second Master's degree right now, and looking for another for when this is one is over.

[SeabeeRon]

I admire you guys for being in, staying in, or going back to college!!

Hey Midnight, stick with those Honors classes if you can! What school are you attending?

[Maht]

... better take Chinese if you want to be in charge of a factory.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Midnight

Thanks Rudy, I will have to look into it.

For the Honors Philosophy class I am reading parts of "Existentialism: From Dostoevsky to Satre", "Existentialism Basic Writings Second Edition", and "The Good Life" Edited by Charles Guignon. Not fun to read at all. lol

The Good life isn't too bad. Try Kant.

[DixieLandMan]

I've been out of college for 16 years now and had no plans on going back. I did however end up taking a school with the Army that also applied credits toward a Master's Degree so I may check that route out soon.

[hillwood24]

I'm in my final semester of college, and I graduate in 108 days! It's a busy semester, which really affects my metal detecting time!

[Mike1961]

I miss college.

[wooddux]

Im in now, 3rd year and also a student teacher. Majors in Industrial Technologies. Welding, Hydraulics, everthing to be a glorified grease monkey.. after working in the mntc. dept at work for 7 years, I thought I knew a good bit...surprised at how much I really didnt know. I have to agree witht the public speaking and orientation to college classes, didnt do me alot of good I seem to stutter when I get nervous and I imagine I sounded like a skipping record by the time I was thru giving my speech plus the kids in the class had quite a bit of fun at my expense...3 of them are in my class now, amazing how some welds just dont seem to look as pretty the 4th or 5th time you do them...

[VetStudent]

finishing my 8 years of college in May! (4 years undergrad + 4 years vet school!)

[sllingshot47]

Originally Posted by Mike1961

I miss college.

Me, three! It was the most positive time of my life. Years later, I also took an elementary electronics mail course and then, a few years later I took a locksmithing course which helped me in maintenance work and also proved valuable in all my work. Nowadays, a lot of info on the web makes my life satisfying and I am planning on building a simple walking cane metal detector-my lifelong dream.

[gordonquixote]

Originally Posted by Rudy

I would urge you and your wife to join the local Toastmaster's club. Great way to get comfortable with public speaking.

Great advice!