Re: I am planning to go to college again....

[Guest guest]

, Congratulations on your decision. Just a little advice from someone who's had repeated difficulties with formal advanced degree education... I've avoided it not only because as I've gotten older I've realized that I may have many undiagnosed specific learning disabilities, and for a second reason: I'm just too darned old to be able to take time-advantage of an advanced degree.

So...At the first sign of any learning difficulties that feel at all familiar, go immediately to the student academic counseling center AFTER you've completed the paperwork for service consideration by the office of students with disabilities. Don't hide anything under a bushel basket, and if you run into any of the bugaboos you encountered even decades ago in school, ask to speak with a learning disabilities specialist. Those problems might include memory tricks, time management, all types of personal organization, concentration, inefficient reading habits, and brush-ups on effective study techniques. Don't poo-poo shortcuts or things that allow you to learn less than the maximum, and for heavens sake, now is NOT the time to become a perfectionist. You'll have more than enough time to learn on the job, as most folks do anyway, and to realize that what they teach in a formal setting is often at odds with what actually works out in the real world of work.It's amazing how many adults have held themselves back because in the dark old days professionals didn't even know about specific learning disabilities, and even if they did, they didn't know how to test for them, remediate them, or coach folks into working around them to still demonstrate mastery of the subject matter using a different learning technique. If you run into an instructor insistent on teaching only one way and you've already done your homework and can demonstrate you can learn another way, consider challenging the teacher or even taking the matter to the head of his or her department. After all, you're paying for an adult education experience, not three rounds in an amateur boxing tourney, and instructors of adults are expected to be flexible in their technique and knowledgeable about the fact that we all learn differently. So, if you DO run into a particular instructor who insists on "my way or the highway," don't forget the sideroads that can get you around such tenured idiocy by appealing to the department chair or even the dean of students if you have a well-founded beef and can back up your statements with proof of how you learn, not just words.Use every bit of leverage and knowledge you have to stay current on adult learning trends. You'll be returning to an environment that's probably different than the one you left years ago, and for sure, it's both more competitive and stacked with folks whose learning agendas are worlds apart from when you last took a substantial stab at advanced adult education. Most of all, be patient with yourself, and maintain as many supportive and encouraging connections with your non-academic community as you can. This can help you avoid tunnel vision when it comes to weighing the importance of academic assignments and pressures over your known mental health and socialization needs. Good luck. N. Meyer I am planning to go to college again.... > >Hi all.... > >After unsuccessfully job searching since August last year and reflecting on what I have done, where my skills are, and where I could see using my skills, I have begun the application process to begin what I hope will be the last two years of a bachelor's degree in accounting. > >I have always loved playing with numbers and algebraic expressions and crunching them in my head (without the use of a calculator), and I have had a couple of nonprofit experiences with accounting and budgeting the past couple of years. I feel accounting is a natural for me, and could open up many doors for me in the autism/disabilities and environment areas. > >Even if I take classes in the fall, I will continue work with my adult autism organization (and drop most everything else). I'll cross the bridge to take the CPA exam when that time comes after graduation. > >If accepted to the local university and its school of business (which won't be a problem with me for either regarding grades, etc.), I will receive services through a specialized program for students with high functioning autism and AS. It won't cost me anything, so my future looks bright. It will be like starting college fresh all over again, except this time around having the services I need in order to transition well from college to real life. > >Will see what happens.... > > > > >------------------------------------ > > "We each have our own way of living in the world, together we are like a symphony. >Some are the melody, some are the rhythm, some are the harmony >It all blends together, we are like a symphony, and each part is crucial. >We all contribute to the song of life." > ...Sondra > > We might not always agree; but TOGETHER we will make a difference. > > ASPIRES is a closed, confidential, moderated list. >Responsibility for posts to ASPIRES lies entirely with the original author. > Do NOT post mail off-list without the author's permission. > When in doubt, please refer to our list rules at: > http://www.aspires-relationships.com/info_rules.htm > ASPIRES ~ Climbing the mountain TOGETHER > http://www.aspires-relationships.com >

[Guest guest]

Thanks, .. I think two years (plus an extra semester if need be) is

something I could swing without it feeling like going on forever. The great

thing is that I get to continue networking with people in various industries

while I am in school.

[Guest guest]

Good for you, ! I didn't realize that you didn't have a bachelor's

degree. That alone makes you eligible for all sorts of programs that

aren't available to those of us who have a degree, yet would like to

return to school for a different one.

I didn't complete my bachelor's degree until I was nearly 40. While my

degree is very marketable, my technical skills could use some

polishing. Being a technophobe who doesn't learn this stuff easily,

this effort hasn't been very successful. I really do seem to need to

have a personal coach by my side a lot of the time, which doesn't work

very well in today's workplace.

My dad made a career as a CPA and eventually co-founded a small

accounting firm. Accounting is a very portable skill and can be used in

all sorts of settings.

Good luck!

~CJ

> Hi all....

>

> After unsuccessfully job searching since August last year and reflecting on

what I have done, where my skills are, and where I could see using my skills, I

have begun the application process to begin what I hope will be the last two

years of a bachelor's degree in accounting.

>

> I have always loved playing with numbers and algebraic expressions and

crunching them in my head (without the use of a calculator), and I have had a

couple of nonprofit experiences with accounting and budgeting the past couple of

years. I feel accounting is a natural for me, and could open up many doors for

me in the autism/disabilities and environment areas.

>

> Even if I take classes in the fall, I will continue work with my adult autism

organization (and drop most everything else). I'll cross the bridge to take the

CPA exam when that time comes after graduation.

>

> If accepted to the local university and its school of business (which won't be

a problem with me for either regarding grades, etc.), I will receive services

through a specialized program for students with high functioning autism and AS.

It won't cost me anything, so my future looks bright. It will be like starting

college fresh all over again, except this time around having the services I need

in order to transition well from college to real life.

>

> Will see what happens....

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good for you, ! I didn't realize that you didn't have a bachelor's

degree. That alone makes you eligible for all sorts of programs that

aren't available to those of us who have a degree, yet would like to

return to school for a different one.

I didn't complete my bachelor's degree until I was nearly 40. While my

degree is very marketable, my technical skills could use some

polishing. Being a technophobe who doesn't learn this stuff easily,

this effort hasn't been very successful. I really do seem to need to

have a personal coach by my side a lot of the time, which doesn't work

very well in today's workplace.

My dad made a career as a CPA and eventually co-founded a small

accounting firm. Accounting is a very portable skill and can be used in

all sorts of settings.

Good luck!

~CJ

> Hi all....

>

> After unsuccessfully job searching since August last year and reflecting on

what I have done, where my skills are, and where I could see using my skills, I

have begun the application process to begin what I hope will be the last two

years of a bachelor's degree in accounting.

>

> I have always loved playing with numbers and algebraic expressions and

crunching them in my head (without the use of a calculator), and I have had a

couple of nonprofit experiences with accounting and budgeting the past couple of

years. I feel accounting is a natural for me, and could open up many doors for

me in the autism/disabilities and environment areas.

>

> Even if I take classes in the fall, I will continue work with my adult autism

organization (and drop most everything else). I'll cross the bridge to take the

CPA exam when that time comes after graduation.

>

> If accepted to the local university and its school of business (which won't be

a problem with me for either regarding grades, etc.), I will receive services

through a specialized program for students with high functioning autism and AS.

It won't cost me anything, so my future looks bright. It will be like starting

college fresh all over again, except this time around having the services I need

in order to transition well from college to real life.

>

> Will see what happens....

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi CJ.. I have both bachelor AND master degrees. Applying as a

post-baccalaurate student and going from there. I got my bachelor's degree at

the age of 33.

Thanks on the info about accounting.

> > Hi all....

> >

> > After unsuccessfully job searching since August last year and reflecting on

what I have done, where my skills are, and where I could see using my skills, I

have begun the application process to begin what I hope will be the last two

years of a bachelor's degree in accounting.

> >

> > I have always loved playing with numbers and algebraic expressions and

crunching them in my head (without the use of a calculator), and I have had a

couple of nonprofit experiences with accounting and budgeting the past couple of

years. I feel accounting is a natural for me, and could open up many doors for

me in the autism/disabilities and environment areas.

> >

> > Even if I take classes in the fall, I will continue work with my adult

autism organization (and drop most everything else). I'll cross the bridge to

take the CPA exam when that time comes after graduation.

> >

> > If accepted to the local university and its school of business (which won't

be a problem with me for either regarding grades, etc.), I will receive services

through a specialized program for students with high functioning autism and AS.

It won't cost me anything, so my future looks bright. It will be like starting

college fresh all over again, except this time around having the services I need

in order to transition well from college to real life.

> >

> > Will see what happens....

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi CJ.. I have both bachelor AND master degrees. Applying as a

post-baccalaurate student and going from there. I got my bachelor's degree at

the age of 33.

Thanks on the info about accounting.

> > Hi all....

> >

> > After unsuccessfully job searching since August last year and reflecting on

what I have done, where my skills are, and where I could see using my skills, I

have begun the application process to begin what I hope will be the last two

years of a bachelor's degree in accounting.

> >

> > I have always loved playing with numbers and algebraic expressions and

crunching them in my head (without the use of a calculator), and I have had a

couple of nonprofit experiences with accounting and budgeting the past couple of

years. I feel accounting is a natural for me, and could open up many doors for

me in the autism/disabilities and environment areas.

> >

> > Even if I take classes in the fall, I will continue work with my adult

autism organization (and drop most everything else). I'll cross the bridge to

take the CPA exam when that time comes after graduation.

> >

> > If accepted to the local university and its school of business (which won't

be a problem with me for either regarding grades, etc.), I will receive services

through a specialized program for students with high functioning autism and AS.

It won't cost me anything, so my future looks bright. It will be like starting

college fresh all over again, except this time around having the services I need

in order to transition well from college to real life.

> >

> > Will see what happens....

> >

> >

>