Talk me out of going to school

[Deleted]

I really want to go back to school. Not sure why or necessarily what (changes frequently).

Obviously the debt. But what else?

I don't need it. But I want it. Help! :confused:

[LoveTrains]

I would only do it if you had a clear plan.

[wise_rita]

You should totally do it.

A+ idea

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2015 23:37:19 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

I would only do it if you had a clear plan.

Yay. I completely agree.

I have several "dreams" but that doesn't mean I need to go to school.

I just miss learning. Wah. Lol. I should look into just one of class.

#buzzedmusings

[AAM2012]

#FYI you can learn "stuff" without having to go to school.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 0:08:39 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

#FYI you can learn "stuff" without having to go to school.

OMG. No way. I had no idea.

#sarcasm


I miss the setting of a classroom... Homework, learning, group projects, etc.

I realize you can learn outside of a classroom that's why I go to Industry conferences, volunteer, join professional development orgs, etc. It's just not enough, I guess.

I'm researching now and think I've found a solution.

Who knows, I may end up back in school in 5 years or 10. Idk. It's been on my mind and I knew this was the best place to receive (snarky) feedback.

[irishbride2]

Have you tried free courses like on corsea? I do one or two at a time for fun.

[ddi741]

Would it advance your career enough that it would be worth it?

could you truly focus on it? And give up your leisure time on weeknights and weekends in order to do homework?

I thought about going back for my masters but realized I wasn't willing to give up my weekends for homework

[4speedy]

I'm a SAHM and my youngest started Kindy this year so I started taking classes at a local community college just for fun. So far, I have taken photography, Spanish, art history and history of religion. Obviously there is no rhyme or reason to the classes I have taken, they are just topics I want to learn more about. I don't think I will ever go back to my old career so I am trying to figure out what else interests me in case I decide to go back to work. In the meantime, I love being back in school.

[wise_rita]

Mar 30, 2015 5:06:03 GMT -5 irishbride2 said:

Have you tried free courses like on corsea? I do one or two at a time for fun.

Nice work!

I did a MOOC related to my industry last year. It's a lot of work! Comparable workload to a college class (though it was only 6 weeks long).

I thought it would be exhausting to do another one in 2015 even for legit professional development (disclaimer: I am well and truly DONE with formal education). Hats off to you for doing more than one FOR FUN!

[dr.girlfriend]

I was thinking Coursera too, or Khan Academy or something. Or get a full-time job with benefits that include tuition for ongoing education.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 5:06:03 GMT -5 irishbride2 said:

Have you tried free courses like on corsea? I do one or two at a time for fun.

No, I haven't. I'll look into this today. Thanks!

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 8:05:59 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

I was thinking Coursera too, or Khan Academy or something. Or get a full-time job with benefits that include tuition for ongoing education.

I have a full time job + a part time job.

So I'll be looking into Coursera, Khan Academy, and CC.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 10:15:54 GMT -5 @blissoff said:

Mar 30, 2015 8:05:59 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

I was thinking Coursera too, or Khan Academy or something. Or get a full-time job with benefits that include tuition for ongoing education.

I have a full time job + a part time job.

So I'll be looking into Coursera, Khan Academy, and CC.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

EdX is a similar program to Coursera, so you may want to explore that also.

Does your job provide tuition assistance? The next time you find yourself job searching, this is a fantastic benefit to look for. When I worked at a university they provided 70% tuition remission.

Sent from my 0PAJ5 using proboards

[alleinesein]

Do you get the quarterly community flyers in your part of town with all of the classes offered at the local schools and community centers? Escondido does it and they have a mix of fun stuff (music, arts, etc), research related stuff, photography, physical education, etc. The high schools also do night classes and its not all high school GE courses- they also offer foreign languages and fun stuff.

SDSU Extension has some cool stuff. And UCSD also has an extended studies program. They are cheaper than enrolling and some of the classes will count towards a Masters degree if you want to pursue that later on.

Look into the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program at SDSU (its under the arts and culture section). They have a book club reading list, select performing arts programs and a ton of courses on varied topics (history, religion, womens studies, pop culture). They are also very affordable- lectures are $45-$65 per course.

[Deleted]

I do not have tuition reimbursement. And because I'm not sure if I want another degree or just learn something new it's not something I look for.
UCSD classes are very expensive so I already know that's out.

I've looked at Osher but can't remember why I didn't do it. Will have to look at hat again.

[mich1]

I am 55 and am currently enrolled in a technical college to change my career and get an AS, so I can work in a position where my disability is minimized. This is after getting a BS, MS and am ABD on a PhD. So I'd be the last person to not tell someone to go to school.

However, you really do want to go with a goal in mind. If you just want to learn new things, it is way cheaper to take extension courses in the community.

[Deleted]

If you're just interested in learning and being part of the classroom scene, the Wonderlust program is a great way to contribute to expand your horizons. It's offered through my local university, but is probably widely available.

[StJess80]

I'm assuming you would expand on your com degree? I would not in your case. I think the online courses are probably the best way to go in your instance. My university is looking into adding a com masters program, and I have said that once I finish my MLS that I will get another degree if I haven't found a job to pay the loans (I can go for free at my university. The MLS program is not offered at my university. But-I wouldn't do the com masters, I would start a computer programming / web design bachelors because it would pair well with my "main" degrees.

[StJess80]

Mar 30, 2015 13:50:41 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

As a comm person myself I say it's not worth it unless you plan to teach comm one day. That's the whole reason I got mine. I also get additional points when I apply for fed jobs, but it's not really needed to be successful.

Mine is comm as well, but it was only a means to an end...basically, I needed a bachelors to get into the library science masters program. I have no idea what I would do in the real world with a comm degree, but figuring that out was never the point.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 13:15:44 GMT -5 StJess80 said:

I'm assuming you would expand on your com degree? I would not in your case. I think the online courses are probably the best way to go in your instance. My university is looking into adding a com masters program, and I have said that once I finish my MLS that I will get another degree if I haven't found a job to pay the loans (I can go for free at my university. The MLS program is not offered at my university. But-I wouldn't do the com masters, I would start a computer programming / web design bachelors because it would pair well with my "main" degrees.

I would not expand on my Comm degree. I'd go another route that would likely support it but not be the same.

Things I've considered... Psychology (my first major), dance (my 3rd major), or graphic design (my minor).

But I agree, online classes are the way to go at this point.

[Deleted]

Mar 30, 2015 13:50:41 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

As a comm person myself I say it's not worth it unless you plan to teach comm one day. That's the whole reason I got mine. I also get additional points when I apply for fed jobs, but it's not really needed to be successful.

I do plan to teach. But not for at least 10-15 years. So it's not a necessity at this point. Which is why I'm not pushing, but it will likely be at some point. Maybe.

Who knows what changes happen within that realm over the next decade+.

[just]

Mar 30, 2015 11:23:51 GMT -5 mich1 said:

I am 55 and am currently enrolled in a technical college to change my career and get an AS, so I can work in a position where my disability is minimized. This is after getting a BS, MS and am ABD on a PhD. So I'd be the last person to not tell someone to go to school.

However, you really do want to go with a goal in mind. If you just want to learn new things, it is way cheaper to take extension courses in the community.

You're my hero - lifelong learning for the win!

[wise_rita]

Mar 30, 2015 10:46:18 GMT -5 @blissoff said:

I've looked at Osher but can't remember why I didn't do it. Will have to look at hat again.

Do you mean Osher Lifelong Learning Institute?

If so the reason being is it is for ages 55+.