Has anyone completed a degree later in life?

meghans30

Not me, but my husband, who is approaching 40, is thinking about going to school for the first time since graduating highschool in 1989! I am very supportive, but what kinds of obstacles did you face? We have two young kids and he would have to go pt. @ work, but his job is a dead end manufactoring and he now is having skin issues due to dealing with chemicals. We could live on my salary and he could go to school nights. While it would be difficult, I'm willing to make the sacrifice. What do you all think? Should we take the plunge? I sooooo do not like making major decisions.

minnasmommy

my take is..it'll be hard, but he'll never regret doing it! (he might regret not doing it, though) ?good luck!

oparcm

I've never been out of school and I'm 39.  I'm required to continue my education and take classes for my license.  I think if you could swing it, why not?  He most likely feels that he is ready to go and if he goes pt he could work maybe part or full time.  I work full time and take classes each semester.  Maybe he could start with one or two classes.  Colleges have very flexible schedules and many have multiple locations so why not try it?

MelandJeff

I say, DO IT!

I am doing it right now. I had a 2 year degree but am now finishing my 4 year and most likely will go on for my MBA.

I totally agree with Minnas, he wont regret doing it, but would most likely really regret not doing it!

MelandJeff

Oh, and most reputable schools now have online courses, which is what I am doing, so your DH could work at his own pace.

zigby

I think it's great! A friend of ours is going to law school at 40 and he has five kids!! Two are still in diapers.  He's basically a full time student and a SAHD and his wife works full time.  My aunt went to medical school after four kids and it was over an hour away...

penguingrrl

It  may be hard for a few years, but the payoff will be worth it in the end.  DH is currently working on his PhD (f/t but with funding from the department) and while we're living incredibly poor for him to do so, an education is never a waste.  If you guys can swing it, I would say he should go for it.  I will say (as someone who has worked as a college teaching assistant and taught adult students) that the older students who have real responsibilities are often the best students because they treat it as a job instead of an extension of high school!

meghans30

Thanks ladies. He supported me when I finished my MA in English, so I understand how difficult it will be. He would be doing something that is a complete 180 than the manufactoring position he is in. He's looking in respitory care, nursing, and such.

Jen2124

I have heard the nursing field is supposed to keep growing and be in demand...sounds like a good choice!

winery

minnasmommy:

my take is..it'll be hard, but he'll never regret doing it! (he might regret not doing it, though)  good luck!

This.

MH just started working towards his Master's and I couldn't be happier about it.

Muffins_Mom

I'll say the same thing I told my mother when she went back to college:

You'll be 50 in 5 years whether or not you go back to school, BUT if you go back to school, you'll be 50 AND a college graduate.

She worked full-time and grauated number 1 in her class.

 

CBKMRB

I'm 35 and I'm going now.  I've been going off and on for 16 years but I am finally finishing.  I'm going PT and my classes are online which is great!  I still work part time and my work gives tuition assistance.

If he has the opportunity and you guys can swing it he should definitely do it.

Good luck!