I talk a lot around here, I suppose, and even about my background and such, but when it comes right down to it, I am reserved about speaking much of my personal life.
I’ve discussed it with one of my friends from C&F, and feel I’d like to go ahead and share with the broader C&F community what I am up to.
I am in process of trying to go back to school at the university. I had some setbacks in life, most of which I feel were health related, and I feel that the time has come, since my health crisis of a bit over a year ago, that I have improved enough that I want to pursue my education.
In the past I did not make very good grades. This was not for lack of intellectual capabilities (I scored high on my entrance exam), but because I was so nervous. I never had really clicked with school. I was in the gifted program, and even made the academic bowl team, but my grades were… academic probation material. In high school, it was a challenge for me to get my grades up enough so I could participate in just one speech club competition (yes… I was far too nervous for speech club… I placed dead last when I did compete).
But I feel like I have had some breakthroughs, emotionally, and have some of the underlying physical problems more under control, and that the time is right for me to go back to school.
I’m telling you all of this because, frankly, I need the moral support. Trying to get the financial aid and get everything straightened out is a challenge in itself.
That’s excellent news, Walden! I know you’ll make it, and enjoy it too. Please ask us if you have questions about financial aid, college life etc, we’ll be happy to help in any way we can.
Walden, as the parent of a highly gifted child, I’ve had to do a lot of research. What you describe above is actually quite common with gifted, especially highly gifted people. MANY highly gifted kids are high school drop-outs. Our school system is just not set up to teach these kids in appropriate ways (I won’t get on the soapbox here..).
Hopefully you’ll find professors that understand your unique capabilities and help you nuture those. I truly worry about getting Noah through high school (he did pretty good this year, but it’s a constant struggle) and know he’ll never be “big” university material. He wants to be a vet, but I really don’t think he can handle the class load needed - so I’m helping him search out other options in related fields. Luckily there is a 2 year program here for vet techs that may be more appropriate.
Long post short… you have all my support and good wishes.
It’s clear from your postings that yer a smart dude, Walden.
Best of luck mate. It won’t be easy, but it should be worth it.
Here in Yurp we have a thing called the Open University, which lets adults study and get grades in their spare time. You can even get up to Ph.D. level, if you are committed enough, and intelligent enough. I realise this isn’t what you are doing, but is there anything like the OU in the US?
Good job. Please keep us informed of your progress and you’ll find no lack of moral support. I’m sure there are plenty here who can help direct you in the areas of financial aid and such.
It’s too bad that the Dale Carnegie course isn’t available to everyone cheaply. It would cure you of your nervousness.
Nothing nationalised as far as I know, but many individual universities have “distance learning” courses which are online, often part-time, courses for adults.
Go for it , my man! Judging by your postings here, you’re a bright perceptive guy and I think you’ll get in and do just fine. If for some reason you DON’T get in, keep looking at other options eg online degrees.
As I’ve related here, I went back to school (nursing) at age 55. I had a lot of the same doubts that you seem to, but I’ll tell you it was a wonderful decision. I finally see an end to most of the job dissatisfaction I’ve faced for many years. Hanging out with a whole new group of people has been terrific. When you come to higher education at a later than usual age, you bring with you a lifetime of perspective that the students fresh out of High School can’t even imagine.
I think the most important thing, in terms of not worrying, is to go to school for the learning rather than the grades, career opportunities, or whatever. I had a crisis year during which I realized this. My grades were just as good after I decided that I wasn’t going for grades as they were before – it’s just that I did worse in classes I didn’t care about, but better in the classes I did care about.
Best of luck, Walden; I know you can succeed at pretty much anything you want.
I’m delighted to hear it Walden. I’m sure you’ll do fine.
As a group, mature age students are easily the most literate and accomplished students I teach. They know why they are at University and they want to get everything they can out of it. They are a joy to teach.
Hooray for Walden! Good luck, buckle down, and all that tosh.
Do you already have a career in mind? I always enjoy your writing.
Vet schools are really, really tough to get into. They really don’t
want any of their students to fail the Board Exam, so generally,
the screening’s good: if they let you in you can be a vet. The
NCSU Vet school where my wife went have only had someone
fail the board once in the 10 years I’ve been paying attention.
Either way, has your son volunteered or worked at any vet clinics
yet? It’s pretty necessary for getting into the school, and might
make him change his mind, if he sees what that job entails.
I’d rather be a dental hygenist than a vet tech, myself… people
are (oddly) easier to hold down.
