School

[nbajammer]

Well, I've done it - I'm going back to school! After failing to find work for a year, I've decided to return to school and pick up where I left off - except I am changing my major to Computer Science. I am currently planning to go into IT after I'm done. From there, who knows? I start back at school August 25th.

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

Always a smart decision to get back into school.

You can never go wrong with getting more (or compelete) education.

[Michael Ubaldi]

Good luck, Tim.

[theempyrealwordsmith]

Let's hear it for academia!

[Magiz]

That's great news, Tim. Best of luck to you and I really hope this works out great for you. :)

[nbajammer]

Hopefully this will transition me into a phase where I can finally get a 360 and game with you guys - or barring that, playing retail WoW :D.

[Jes-ka]

I miss school. >.>

Good luck! The last 10-15% is always the most difficult, but once you finish it... you will feel like a million bucks!!!

[nbajammer]

Well I got some bad news today. Seems that my pell grant award was for the full year and half of that covers all of my tuition but leaves only $233 for books. That will get me books for 2 of my 6 classes, if I'm lucky. I'm going to call the financial aid office tomorrow and see what else I may be able to get, but Im seriously worried this will affect my ability to afford to go school and how many courses I can take at a time. Would be nice if I can just get a wee more aid and go a full load and not be stuck at the house.

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

I miss school. >.>

Good luck! The last 10-15% is always the most difficult, but once you finish it... you will feel like a million bucks!!!


I'm in that 10-15% part of my Masters.

I want to cry.

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

Well I got some bad news today. Seems that my pell grant award was for the full year and half of that covers all of my tuition but leaves only $233 for books. That will get me books for 2 of my 6 classes, if I'm lucky. I'm going to call the financial aid office tomorrow and see what else I may be able to get, but Im seriously worried this will affect my ability to afford to go school and how many courses I can take at a time. Would be nice if I can just get a wee more aid and go a full load and not be stuck at the house.

I'm confident you'll find enough dough to get those books.

Books are *always* a drain on the wallet. Try to keep the ones that actually pertain to your degree.

[intplee]

I am also returning to school, after a 6 year absence. I left school when 16 at the end of my compulsory education here in the UK, and then went directly into work. After many jobs between then and now I have decided to return to school, or more specifically, move to the US and go to college. My plan is to study economics.

I hope the best for both of us.

[dropK1CK_ninJA]

I am also returning to school, after a 6 year absence. I left school when 16 at the end of my compuslory education here in the UK, and then went directly into work. After many jobs between then and now I have decided to return to school, or more specifically, move to the US and go to college. My plan is to study economics.

I hope the best for both of us.

Man, economics is this black box to me.

The only concept I understand is supply & demand.

Kudos to you.

[Magiz]

Best of luck to all of you with your schooling. I know it can be tough, and I'm sure everything will work out if you stay with it. Nbajammer, I know you'll find some way to get the books you need.

Keep us posted, and good luck.

[theempyrealwordsmith]

Indeed, as far as the books go, i'd definitely do some hunting around online. I got a textbook for 5 bucks once, because my prof was accepting an older edition of the text.

Private sellers on sites such as amazon, eBay, and half.com are probably worth a look.

[nbajammer]

Figured it was time to update everyone a week in....

I took out a Stafford Loan to help get the last of my books, a new PC, and some other stuff I need (gas for school, meals out at school, probably a rolling bookbag or something to tote books around in) so I can ease in and get stuff done. My bedroom is going to double as an office, sorta. by the end of my 2nd day, the loan came in and I got all my books except 1 that was out of stock.

I'm now a week into the first semester back. I feel strange, but in a good way. A lot of people would kill to get out of school, and I couldn't wait to get in. Strange, is it not? Also, in light of the workload (3 or so classes have multiple out-of-class papers to write/presentations to make) I feel...I don't want to put it this way but I will for lack of a better word for it...empowered by my classes. That is to say, my in-class performance and note-taking skills have shot up since I've aged about 9 years since I had last attended. Im 2 semesters from done, although I'll do a 3rd to get in some electives. I've also chosen my 4 year school - right here in town, so I wont be far from my mother should something happen to her.

I suppose I would classify myself as a lifelong learner - someone hungry for knowledge who gets a thrill out of learning something new. I may report back at periodic times during this semester back so you all know how well I am transitioning. So far, so good.

[Michael Ubaldi]

Well done, Jammer. First of all, it's comforting to hear that you seem to have things worked out financially; but also that you're in the right place.

[theempyrealwordsmith]

I suppose I would classify myself as a lifelong learner

Indeed, i find here in my second semester that i made the grave mistake of attending college last year to attain a degree, and not so much to learn. To distinguish between the two is a matter of great importance, one i'm glad to have realized somewhat early in the game.

It's amazing how the outlook can change when class ceases to be a thing you "have to" attend and is transfigured into an opportunity for growth.

Of course some may call that not much of a realization; that i am slow to have just seen this now. To them i've only just stopped going to school, and started going to college. Nevertheless, i too am ready to learn.

Not to steal your thunder, though. It's a good place to be in, and i wish my school accepted Stafford loans...alas, they do not.

[nbajammer]

For those who don't know, I turned 30 this past Friday (the 19th), and my life..I dont know how I want to put this...feels like it's finally coming along - I'm meeting people, enjoying life, etc for the first time since 1996/97. I'm going through things right now (possible relationship with a girl I met in class, serious thoughts about my 4 year school which I've already picked out, etc.) that I am sure a lot of you did a few years ago. I don't feel sheltered by my family or my computer anymore, but rather I feel as though they have become secondary extensions to what is going on around me. A truly phenomenal transformation I would say this is. And oh how I wish it had occurred sooner (although, if it had, I'd have never come across this girl to begin with, so maybe it's a blessing in disguise).

[Ed Kirchgessner]

Firstly, Jammer, belated happy birthday :)

Secondly, it doesn't matter when (or how) things start to come together in your life, just so long as you're happy. For instance, some of the people whom I'm most envious of followed some of the least traditional paths to make it to where they are today. Regardless, it's great to hear that you've found a road you like :)

[Michael Ubaldi]

I'd have never come across this girl to begin with, so maybe it's a blessing in disguiseYou lost me there. That sounds like "deep end" talk. Take my advice and reject sweeping conclusions, especially on that particular subject. Concentrate on studying and meeting people.

[Jes-ka]

A truly phenomenal transformation I would say this is. And oh how I wish it had occurred sooner (although, if it had, I'd have never come across this girl to begin with, so maybe it's a blessing in disguise).

I was "going to school" at a community college for about 4 years when I just suddenly realized one day that I was wasting my time and money. It was just some weird epiphany that changed everything about what I was doing. I had all my GE done so I spent the next year kicking ass and completing my major requirements to transfer to a Uni. I have never worked so hard in my life!

I am very happy for you and I congratulate you on going back to school. It feels really good when you know you are there for the right reasons. I think I cried for like 3 hours when I finally graduated from Uni. That was the biggest relief I have felt in my life so far!

:D

Be careful with this girl... a good man will keep his priorities in order, and your family and school should always come first. A good woman will respect you for that. ;)