Hi all. I am going back to college in Sept and need some advice.

[amyrose2712]

I am 36 and I am going back to college to finish my BS in Environmental Studies. I was very close to graduating when I had to leave for medical reasons. That was in 2001. Any advice on how to best prepare myself to return. I feel pretty nervous because I have to take classes like Calculus and more advanced Chemistry and I just don't remember a lot. If anyone can direct me to college classes(free) online or refresher course, I would be appreciative. Thanks.

[blueraven95]

1. Try going to your library and asking for resources

most libraries have pretty good books that could act as refresher courses.

[amyrose2712]

9. Thanks...

I actually just drove by he library yesterday and was going to stop but didn't. Now I have a reason.

[applegrove]

2. Go to your local campus book store. They have racks and racks of

plasticized cheat sheets on various topics like Chemistry and Calculus. It would have all the basics on it. They also might have books on those topics meant to be tutorials and not textbooks.

[amyrose2712]

10. Actually, that reminded me...

I probably have exactly the stuff you are talking about, along with old college notebooks and text books. I forgot I packed them all away in boxes. Thanks.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. How about some GRE prep books?

They have GRE's for Biology, Chemistry, Math…

The sample tests should give you a decent idea of what you need to work on.

[amyrose2712]

11. Thats a thought...

I wonder if I could get them online. Thanks.

[OKIsItJustMe]

18. You can find them at Amazon

Just look for GRE

[ramapo]

4. My fantasy

Sometimes I think about going for a degree in Environmental Studies, more for personal satisfaction than a career since I'm in my mid-50s, but then I hear about the calculus and chemistry type requirements and feel silly about the whole idea.

[amyrose2712]

5. Not silly at all. IMHO.

Your brain didn't stop working at 50, did it?

[ramapo]

6. Not exactly

I was always pretty dumb when it came to chemistry and math, although the truth is probably closer to not applying oneself, being lazy, and just getting lost in the fundamentals and never catching up.

It would be quite a project....Maybe I just need to give me a good swift kick in the ass.

[leftyclimber]

7. If you contact your math and chem departments ahead of time

and tell them what's up they might have some suggestions for some good refreshers. They'll be thrilled that someone actually cares that much. :)

Once you're back at school don't be afraid to use the math tutoring center, and take advantage of every office hour available to you in the classes you're concerned about. Talk to your TAs, and if you're not getting the help you need from them talk to the professors.

Getting chummy with the grad students in your program is helpful, too, as they can usually walk you through stuff you're having trouble with.

Once you're back in the swing of school, you'll be surprised at how much you remember. I took 12 years off before I went back for another degree, and for the life of me can't figure out why I had such a hard time in some of the classes I did when I was younger.

[skygazer]

8. I second the tutoring center

Tutoring can really offer some great personally tailored review.

[amyrose2712]

13. Thanks for the encouragment...

and the advice on using the tutors. I have an appointment coming up with the Academic Advising Dept. We'll see what happens from there.

[CBR]

12. This is a pretty good site...

http://academicearth.org/

[amyrose2712]

14. Yes thank you...

I found that in my search. I appreciate the link.

[CBR]

16. Good Luck! I am sure you will find success.

I concur with post #7. Speaking as a TA, we really love assisting students and I, at least, practically beg students to come in for one-on-one.

[BeachBaby]

15. Hey, you - you headed to Stockton?

[amyrose2712]

17. Yeah ....

I actually have 116 credits there. I just have to finish up. It has been so long I may have to retake some classes. Are you familiar with Stockton?

[RadiationTherapy]

19. Streaming academic lectures: http://academicearth.org/

From the likes of MIT and Harvard. Lots of lectures to prepare you.

[amyrose2712]

24. Thanks.

That is a pretty popular one. I found a few others. This is also a good one.

http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/FreeEdMain01.asp

[timtom]

20. Google the following:

MIT open courseware.

The world is now at your command.

[amyrose2712]

21. Sweet.

I heard about this before and forgot. Thanks!

[MrsBrady]

22. maybe find out what books

the university is currently using for the previous courses (that you have already taken that you forgot), and take a look at those.
just so you know what has been covered recently.
use them for reference, too.

you might want to purchase them...but I bet the library has copies of the textbooks used on campus.


I'm also 36 and finishing up my BA in Music. :hi:

[amyrose2712]

23. Thanks...

Any other advice about going back to school with grays?(well i have them anyway)

[MrsBrady]

27. well

i color my hair, I don't DO gray...school or not :)

but just go and study and be YOU.
You'll be smarter than the kids anyway.
After I got back into it, I found that I am a better student than I was before..and I had a 3.2 coming back in.
I got a 4.0 last semester, and I'm trying to do that again this semester.

I'm not much into campus life, since I already have a life...and I commute 40 miles one way.
I try to do everything on MWF, if I can. Sometimes I can't avoid campus, but I try not to have to be there everyday since my commute is so long.
I won't be able to avoid it next fall, but it will be my last semester...so whatever it takes.

All I do anymore is study, study, study....lots and lots of studying...but that's what we're there for.

You'll be fine!!! Just focus and remember the goal!

[amyrose2712]

28. Thanks...

One of my best friends is also about to finish he teaching degree and she has already been offered a job. She is 37. So, I have some good encouragement. Thanks for the support. I am so very excited!

[Evoman]

25. Cheat. Seriously, that's what all the punk ass bitch kids these days are doing.

In the last lab I taught, I caught three of them.

:mad:

[JoePhilly]

26. Regarding your "nervousness" .... jump past that emotion, use the energy, make it a strength.

First, you may seem to be more nervous than a new college entrant because they have no idea what to expect ... you do.

Second, a sense of nervousness make you more aware of your surroundings ... it is a GOOD thing. It will cause you to pay attention and seek out a support structure ... something that a new college student has no idea about.

So don;t see the nervousness as a liability, recognize it as a strength.

[old mark]

29. I went back in my late 40's, but I started at a local Community College

that tested every admission to ascertain what your needs and abilities were. I found the reason I always hated math was that I had almost no comprehension of it, and I scored in the top 1% nationwide in English Comp. Contact the school with your concerns - many schools are eager to help returning students.

Good luck - enjoy it!

mark