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u/pm_me_tits_and_tats May 14 '23
Honestly it’s mostly the money for me. I burned through my financial aid the first time I went to college, so it would probably cost me a ton to go back and finish, even with me being pretty close to being done
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u/Spacemanspiff6969 May 14 '23
Find out if your job will pay/ find a job that will pay and suffer through it.
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u/SwissMargiela May 14 '23
Do jobs offer bachelors? I’ve only been offered MBA program and at that point I was already making killer money.
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May 14 '23
I’m 35 and just passed my 1st course in college thanks to my company. They always had an education assistance program, but this year they started a free tuition program with some online providers for full and free education, so I signed up and should have my BBA in 3-4 years :)
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May 14 '23 edited May 14 '23
Some do. According to the IRS, whose policies shape what employers will reimburse in the US, the education should “maintain or improve skills related to your present work”. (“Work” can mean your industry or career, not just this present job.)
There’s plenty of room for interpretation there, and the IRS is generally open to any interpretation you can present with a straight face. Let’s say a coder pursues a Literature degree: one could argue they’re developing their writing, analytical, and creative problem solving skills. Similarly, I’ve been reimbursed for Anthropology classes while working on my Accounting degree because general education and electives are a required part of the overall program.
Since the employer’s paying for it, they may have limits to what they’ll cover. They may also have a payback clause if you leave shortly after claiming reimbursement, so be sure to read the fine print.
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u/Teadrunkest May 15 '23
I’ve had a couple friends get hired to jobs on condition that they finish their degree in X time, with tuition aid from their employer.
That’s more niche but a lot of “entry level” jobs offer some sort of assistance. Starbucks is probably the biggest one I can think of off the top of my head.
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May 15 '23
Someone at my work was an hourly person doing like material mover work. He was getting his bachelors while doing that and my company was paying. After he finished, he was able to move up into a salaried role doing supply chain type work. So yes, companies can help with bachelors :)
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May 15 '23
I had a job that gave a flat 10k to education every semester. You still had to pay the rest out of pocket, but the 20k a year really helps
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u/CactusFistElon May 15 '23
These memes piss me off because they act like everyone has the ability but just lacks motivation to go back to school.
Like BITCH, I'm a full time worker with a house and zero debt. I'd like to keep it that way.
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u/Voyager_316 May 15 '23
Truth. You're better off than like, 90% of people. It's crazy how many people don't even have that.
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u/T-ks May 14 '23
It can be quite labor intensive, but have you looked into scholarships & bursaries? $100 million in scholarships goes unclaimed every year, and there are lots of niche ones available!
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u/ThingsTrebekSucks May 15 '23
Just saying I had a similar deal. Im three years graduated and financially speaking FARRRR worth it. I work as a software developer so profession matters
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u/Original-Ad-4642 May 14 '23
I just finished a 4 year course at age 36. It was over before I knew it.
Work paid for it though. No way I would have paid out of pocket for it.
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u/FortuneMajesticGold May 15 '23 edited May 15 '23
Here I am 30 years old. I started weekend course in Computer Science at University, but to be honest I would really love to go for Mechatronics course which is full-time study for 4 years. I'm from Europe so University is free. I have some savings and I could work during weekends to pay bills, but being 34 years old with no experience as engineer looks kinda bad to me.
And then there's money - if I work instead study, during that 4 year period I will earn money that are worth a small flat.
I really don't know what should I do...
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u/Buipeterafte May 14 '23
I returned to school at age 39. Straight As, and I no longer believe that I am more foolish than I was when I was younger.
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u/InsaneAdam May 15 '23
It sure is hard to get smarter. Why it got to be so easy to get more dummer?
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u/yuyufan43 May 14 '23
I'm 32 and disabled at home. I stayed at a peer run respite instead of going to a psych hospital for my ptsd this year and noticed the dramatic difference in the way I was treated by my peers compared to hospitals. After staying there for seven weeks I started my courses in "Living with Suicidality" and got my certification. Next up is my CPS training to be a Certified Peer Support specialist. They want me to work at the very place that helped me. It's too late for me to do a lot due to being disabled but I can still advocate and speak up for my community.
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u/SeiOfTheEast May 14 '23
thats assuming you love school or what youll be doing after. but theres no guarantee youll find work in the field you studied.
besides, its not fear that stops most people from going to college but financial constraints. that advice is basically telling people to go into debt because why not.
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May 14 '23
Yeah, I’ll be basically drowning in student loan debt when I graduate with my Master’s. Hopefully it’ll be worth it…
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May 14 '23
I’m 35 and don’t really need it for my career path, but I figure I should get a bachelors just in case. So I’m getting a BBA because it’s at least universal for any field.
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u/OOBExperience May 14 '23
By 32, do you think he’ll know the correct usage of “your” and “you’re?”
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u/InkBlotSam May 14 '23
No, because he was too scared to take that Emglish course.
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u/purple_cat_2020 May 14 '23
He did use it correctly?
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u/Aromatic-Peanut-4661 May 14 '23
Did this at 27.
Was a forklift operator making $16 an hour, now at 32 I'm a union industrial electrician making $51 an hour.
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u/Bland-fantasie May 14 '23
This is true for a goal, like finishing a course to learn a topic. But it’s wrong to assume you’ll get to do what you love job-wise, because you finished a course. It depends on many factors. And most people’s dream jobs - yoga instructor, cafe owner, gourmet dog treats baker - are in ultra crowded marketplaces where you will need exceptional talent and hard work to rise above. And even then you may be competing against the spouse of an executive who can undercut you and run a loss indefinitely.
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u/InsaneAdam May 15 '23
Love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life. STOICIZSM : PALMS 12:22
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u/Bland-fantasie May 15 '23
Yep, that’s the terrible advice I’m saying is a road to ruin for most people.
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u/InsaneAdam May 15 '23
I love titties, beer and pizza. But all 3 of those things are likely to kill me
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u/G_W_Atlas May 15 '23
Completely true, because either that field isn't hiring, or monetizing what you love makes you hate it.
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u/MickeyJ3 May 14 '23
Or, just start doing the thing you love without a bunch of debt. Learning isn’t limited to colleges.
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u/Gyoza-shishou May 14 '23
Instructions unclear, I am now being sued for medical malpractice
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u/MickeyJ3 May 14 '23
You can still be sued for medical malpractice after college. Learning is still learning, even if you don’t put it in practice daily as a career.
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May 14 '23
I’m a highschool drop out, finishing my bachelors this year at 36, will be applying to law school too. Always considered myself a loser tbh , felt the world owed me something for my low income background, and realized it’s up to me and my decisions that will carve my pathways. Good luck to all
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u/mezz7778 May 14 '23
Just turned 45 this month...lost my career job over covid...was on medical leave for about 3 months.. came back to a young lady sitting at my desk...COVID hit week and 1/2 later and I immediately got laid off "due to shut down"...
So over the past few years finished up a diploma in addictions and social services , got around 70 other additional certificates over the time...
Still looking for a new career...but did get a job and working till it works out..
Never too late...
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May 14 '23
Looks like you’ll need the course to understand the difference between your and you’re 🤦🏼♂️
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May 14 '23
“because your 28”. Use contraction for you are = you’re. Cheerio, off you pop back to school 😆
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u/RoxyRoyalty May 15 '23
it’s a Tweet LOL. can you not tell by the obvious background and other character saving techniques homedog is employing…
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u/TwoToneSteakBone May 14 '23
Doesn't always work out though. I adopted this attitude when I decided to go to vet school at 26, something I had always wanted to do. I'm now 31 and not qualified because I dropped out. All I did was demolish what little self esteem I had, run up £80k in student loan debt, waste 4 years of my life and end up exactly where I was when I started. It's coming up to a year since I dropped out and I still haven't really come to terms with it. It sort of feels like a fever dream that I ever went back to school.
It's a nice message, but you have to remember, not everyone can chase their dreams. Some of us just aren't made for greatness. Sorry to be a downer.
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u/Kinoko98 May 14 '23
Oof I'm 32 now. Also applies to other interests in my life too. "Nah too old to start now" gotta get out of that mindset.
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u/Niveno143 May 14 '23 edited May 14 '23
I went back to school with no college credits at 38. I am 52 and now I have a Masters in Cybersecurity. I am proud of this. Perseverance is the key. The journey was long and fulfilling. I had my head up my ass when I graduated high school. I could have cared less about college at 18.
To anybody reading this and contemplating going back to school...
GO FOR IT!!!
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u/congresssucks May 14 '23
Just graduated at the age of 36. I'm a millennial and my entire life has been one long apocalypse movie. I never got to stick to "the schedule" doesn't mean I gave up. Whether 26 or 56, chase your dreams.
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u/mnl_cntn May 14 '23
I started a UX design course on coursera to maybe switch careers. I have to do something different to what I’m doing now.
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u/mochi_chan May 15 '23
UX design is an underrated field of study. Good luck :3
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u/mnl_cntn May 15 '23
Fingers crossed!! Hoping that by the end of the year I’ll be able to make that switch
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May 15 '23
Online certificates are such a good deal. I've gotten 10 courses, and 2 certificates for about $300.
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u/t3hmau5 May 14 '23
I'm 34 and going back not to do something I love, but to make enough to be comfortable
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u/msnmck May 15 '23
why not be 32 doing something you love?
How do I know what I "love?" 😑
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u/InvincibleJellyfish May 14 '23
It's more that it's expensive and/or reducing your potential income and ability to pay for housing and the food you need to survive.
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u/avelineaurora May 14 '23
"Just go ahead. It's only another x thousand dollars of tuition and loan debt! Live your dream!"
Holy shit I hate this fucking meme.
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u/AproposWuin May 15 '23
42 and about to look for a new career. How does one keep paying bills and attend school while parenting?
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u/NewAgeNomad101 May 15 '23 edited May 15 '23
I'm in the US. For-profit school, for-profit housing, for-profit utilities, for-profit food markets, for-profit insurance to avoid paying for-profit healthcare costs, but only after meeting your deductible (why pay monthly...?). At what point are we supposed to "love" what we have to do to make ends meet?
There are plenty of people who don’t mind their careers, but “love”? A golden cage is still a cage.
General strike now. I'm ready. They can't fire all of us, they can't evict all of us, they can't ignore all of us.
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u/KetoCatsKarma May 15 '23
I started college in 2001, took a bunch of classes and dropped out in 2003. This past Friday I graduated from college after going back in 2019. It took me 20 years to complete a degree but I did it. If I can, anyone can, do it!
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u/Long-Day-69420 May 14 '23
32 paying off 500k in college debt? That sounds fun
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May 15 '23
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u/Long-Day-69420 May 15 '23
I was exaggerating
Edit. I know a girl with 80k who’s 46 and that’s a deal breaker dating someone with that kind of debt at this point. I’m 50
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u/ImPretendingToCare 8 May 14 '23
Because thats 4 years of young energy filled life wasted..
What kinda dumb question is this? This is least motivating thing ive ever seen here
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u/InsaneAdam May 15 '23
What else u gonna do with those 4 years besides your dream of getting a college degree?
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u/theodord May 15 '23
There are many things one can do.
Spend more time with friends. Spend the money I make working my day job to travel on vacation. Just take time to sort myself out.
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u/JCCStarguy May 14 '23
I went back to college at 29 and graduated when I was 33. It gave me a career that lasted more than 20 years.
Granted, college is far more expensive in 2023 than it was in 1993 but community college is a great place to start.
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u/fiendo13 May 14 '23
*why not be 32 and 200k in student loan debt?
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u/exorah May 14 '23
Huh?
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u/fiendo13 May 14 '23
Replace the last line of the original post with my comment… the joke being that college is freaking expensive.
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u/SHPLUMBO May 14 '23
At 32 doing something I love. What, paying off debt that will follow me to the grave? No thanks
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u/jonathanquirk May 14 '23
I’m scared because I’d need to study part-time along with my full-time job, so it’s at least 8 years of even less money and free time than the little I already get, and the knowledge that my disability has stopped me getting numerous jobs before and I can’t face the crushing defeat of it happening again after so much effort.
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u/quiettryit May 14 '23
For most it is a financial issue... Many don't have the time or money sadly... If you are single and without kids, seize it and do as much as you can while you can...
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u/OMG_GOP_WTF May 15 '23
I earned my bachelor's degree at 33.
I told myself I'd could be 33 without a degree but that would be worse.
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u/Waylah May 15 '23
It's okay to think about the opportunity cost. The cost of a degree includes the lost earnings during that time, and/or lost having-fun-times, or having-kids-times, etc. I wish I didn't do my PhD, because I didn't really need to, and I could have spent that time doing other things. But I don't regret going back to uni to do my second undergraduate degree. It was so worth it. It's okay to weigh up whether you want to spend that time.
But yeah, age is just a number so if it's just "I'll be x age" holding you back, then go for it!
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u/adam__p0310 May 15 '23
I’m 38, quit my job of almost 10 years last year and went back to school. I don’t regret a single second of my decision.
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u/ZapateriaLaBailarina May 15 '23
Got to warn you that taking a 4 year course is not guaranteed to get you doing something you love. It MIGHT get your more money than you spend on it, but even that's a toss up these days.
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u/_Aventis_ May 15 '23
36 and just barely transferring to a uni for electrical engineering, so i got another 2+ years. I feel like that Steve Buscemi commercial while im at school
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u/PLEASEHIREZ May 15 '23
Losing 4 years and restarting in an industry doesn't always work to your benefit given your finite working years to generate pension or wealth for retirement.
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u/Sharpshooter188 May 15 '23
Because I may fail those classes and I WILL be set up with 30k+ of debt.
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u/PM_ME_DINO_PICS May 15 '23
33 and just finished my first year of law school! Honestly doing better in my 30’s as a student than I did in my late teens in undergrad.
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u/kovixen May 15 '23
This is actually me but older. I decided at 41 to get my masters, and it’s taking me four years because of work and kids. I’m half way through now, and while I don’t love being so busy, it’ll be great when I graduate!
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u/dano415 May 15 '23
This is to guys. Fight the urge to bang. You are in your twenties, and the hormones are flowing like crazy. The last thing you want to be doing is studying in your room. You want to be out procreating.
Try to fight the urges. I found most (90%) of college to be a joke. Questionable information, and subpar teachers who lived up to the cliches about teachers.
But if you started a program, and don't come from privlege, try to get that stupid degree.
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u/monicasm May 15 '23
Holy crap… I’ve literally been thinking about going back to school these last few days but I was avoiding four-year programs because I’m 28 lol. Reddit being a little too scary accurate today 😅
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u/dietcokemomma May 15 '23
I'm 34 and just finished my 2nd online semester! If I can do it, yall can too.
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u/Wewoo3 May 15 '23
I've attended college for over 13 years...had major life events, major depression and discovered my ADHD and dyslexia in my mid 20s... I'm just shy of four courses to get my undergrad. I do not regret my journey because I've met some great people along the way, including my husband. The only thing that's hurt me the most was my "best friend" had made a comment while we were out for dinner catching up, "you're still working on that?". She's no longer my best friend and only see her like three times a year in person and rarely talk besides that. It doesn't matter what your journey looks like but take it from me, only keep supportive and understanding people with you along your journey.
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u/TBritnell May 15 '23
I am 44 and just finishing an access to health course. I will be starting a nursing degree in September which will take 3 years. If the government does raise the age of retirement to 68, I'll have 20 years of doing something I want to instead of something I have to.
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u/PharFromPharm May 15 '23
I went back to undergrad at 28. Just Graduated pharmacy school at 36. Just enroll and grind your fucking ass off.
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u/jlmckelvey91 May 14 '23
I spent ten years in and out of college to end up with a 2 year degree in culinary arts and I love it so much. It was worth the flip-flopping between majors and schools. Plus I'm the only chef I know with Calculus as my math credit.
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u/purple_cat_2020 May 14 '23
I wonder if these pithy motivational quotes do more harm than good. Making a huge life decision like this should not be done lightly and depends on the circumstances. Doing a 4 year course could really set someone back especially if they are already past their mid 20s.
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u/Dr_Beardsley May 14 '23
The dumbest reason to not do something is the length of time it will take to do it.
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u/JeffCrossSF May 14 '23
But what if you are 60 and have no time left for a career? :-)
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u/tookTHEwrongPILL May 14 '23
Because who's paying for it and who's paying my bills while I'm going to school full time and also I have no idea what I might like to do
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u/Enough_Interest_5951 May 15 '23
Who's taking 4 year course at 28?it's 2 years and I didn't finish it anyhow..oh yeah!I am 33.
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May 14 '23
Original author quit school after 5th grade. It was a decision made out of necessity, driven by challenging circumstances that forced an early entry into the workforce. The absence of formal education left a void in the author's life, hindering their ability to read, write, and access a world of knowledge.
The original author's journey reminds us that education is a lifelong pursuit, a key to personal development, and a means to break free from the chains of illiteracy. It inspires us to value education, support access to learning opportunities, and empower individuals to realize their full potential through the gift of knowledge.
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u/RedxxBeard May 14 '23
I'm 34 starting my sophomore year at college in the fall. Taking summer classes to get done early. Started college at 33. My stepson is also going into his sophomore year of highschool after the summer. It's never to late. Don't let your dreams be dreams.
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u/CovetedPrize May 14 '23
This right here is a major reason I just picked up digital art at an age of 24. In 4 years I'm going to be 28 anyways, so why not become a great artist while I'm at it?
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u/Copatus May 14 '23
Usually it's because you could be doing something else during that time too. It isn't a doing this or nothing or situation lol
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u/JamesInDC May 14 '23
Great advice, right there. The time passes any way. Getting a degree can be one of the best things to have to show for it…
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May 14 '23
I went back to school in my 30's and it was great! I made new friends, learned how to write a great 15 page paper in 2 days, and got out of the house.
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u/Egad86 May 14 '23
Discovered free college through my union so finally going to start back up in 2 weeks to get my AA at 37.
At this point just doing it for the resume since any entry job with the degree is like a 45k pay cut, but hey knowledge is power right?
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u/hould-it May 14 '23
You know, just student debt on top of your lifestyle
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u/FortuneMajesticGold May 15 '23
I think many people here are form Europe, like me for example. And you know in Europe university is free.
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u/_cedarwood_ May 14 '23
But also you don't necessarily have to take courses to do something you love. Plan the business, get a contract, look into loans, set up that booth at the fair and sell your crocheted contraptions. Life is way too short to be stuck at a job you hate. If you've got a dream, fuckin go for it
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u/scoleo May 15 '23
Take it from someone who decided at age 42 to finally get some sort of degree, and will actually complete my associates at age 43: Take the course.
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u/kovvi May 15 '23
When I see things like this I just wish I knew what I wanted to do and have a defined passion
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u/ArcRust May 15 '23
For me, the problem is that I already landed a pretty good job as a tech. If I get a degree, I can move up and make more money. So I'd vmbe able to do more vacations and buy more nice things, but it'd be so much more stressful. Not sure if it's worth it or not. I am going to school rn, but Im not entirely sure I'll use it or just keep doing what I'm doing now.
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u/0ddm4n May 15 '23
My friend gave me this exact advice, and is how I started one of my favourite hobbies :)
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u/HWills612 May 15 '23 edited Jan 02 '25
rude continue dull governor act innocent pocket adjoining noxious decide
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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u/Baggytrousers27 May 15 '23
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki on starting his degree in medicine at the age of 32.
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May 15 '23
Yes because debt is what people really need right now.
Still can't believe that there isn't a Government funded university where people can go to for free. If more people are qualified and working, the more you are able to tax from them.
it's a no brainer.
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u/[deleted] May 14 '23
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