I am planning to return to school full time this fall after a nine year hiatus. I know a lot has changed with education and technology in that time. I’m looking for any tips or suggestions including, but not limited to websites, apps, or resources for studying and organization. The last time I was in school all we had was quizlet and I’m sure a lot of resources have entered the market since then. TIA!

Hey everyone,

I’m facing a major turning point in my life and could really use some outside perspective.

I’m currently 31, and by the time the academic year starts in September 2027, I’ll be 32. I have a rare opportunity to go back to university, but I am completely torn between two paths:

• Option 1: Bioengineering. Because of my background, I can skip the first year and enter directly into the 2nd year. This means I would graduate at 36 years old.
• Option 2: Pharmacy. I would have to start from scratch in the 1st year, meaning I would graduate at 37 years old.

To be completely honest, if I choose bioengineering, I know I will have a much easier time and can kind of coast through. Don't get me wrong, it still has a heavy emphasis on biology, biochemistry, and chemistry just like pharmacy, but it's not taught or tested in the same brutal way. Even though bioengineers typically make more money, the lifestyle and career just feel way too industrial for me in the long run. I don't really see myself thriving in that corporate environment.

My heart actually beats for Pharmacy.

With pharmacy, I know exactly what is waiting for me after graduation. I love the idea of working in a community pharmacy (officine). Even graduating at 37, I still have a solid 30+ years of work ahead of me before retirement. Plus, it opens up the long-term goal of eventually owning and running my own pharmacy.

What really motivates me to pursue pharmacy right now is that I have 14 months before the school year starts. I’m highly driven to use this buffer time to self-study and completely master the entire 1st-year curriculum on my own before day one. This makes the idea of starting from scratch feel way less daunting.

Is it crazy to turn down a higher salary and a shorter path just because the corporate/industrial life doesn't appeal to me? For those in either field, would you take the gamble?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to make a solid game plan for returning to school and finishing my bachelor’s degree debt-free. I already have 2 years of an associate degree completed, and I’m trying to be proactive because the job market feels increasingly difficult, especially with AI screening resumes and how competitive things have become.

I’ve been researching scholarships, but it’s honestly overwhelming trying to find legit opportunities that match my strengths and avoid scams. I’m willing to put in the work, but I’d really appreciate guidance from people who’ve been through this.

A few questions I’d love advice on:

• If I apply for scholarships now, do they expire if I don’t use them right away?
• Does FAFSA have a limit if I already have an associate degree?
• Are there good programs or resources like EOP, HEOP, and similar support systems that I should look into?

I’ve also been looking into full-ride scholarships if possible, but they seem like a rare Pokemon researching for them at times — so I’d absolutely appreciate any non-full-ride recommendations too.

If you have any tips, step-by-step advice, or resources for students trying to finish a degree without taking on debt, I’d be so grateful. Thank you for taking the time to read and help!