Going back to college!
Upstatemax
Posts: 2,664
Well I decided I've had enough of putting my wants and needs aside and I'm enrolled in college again! I'm crazy excited about finishing my degree I just can't wait to get back into it.
I've put off my desire to get my four year degree for a long time. I let moving around the north east get in the way, buying a house and starting a family all stop me. That all ends in about a month. I re-enrolled at SUNY Albany for the fall semester and I'll be on my way to getting my degree in Economics.
As much as I'm excited, I'm a bit nervous. I need to juggle a family, home, career and now college. I have a lot of support from the wife and family so that helps but it's still a lot for me to take on.
I'm on a great career path and I already make more than most college graduates in my area, but it's mostly a personal goal for me, I'll be the first to get my family to get my degree. However, I also feel very trapped in my current field and I feel like having my degree will give me the ability to make a move in the future if I really want to.
I've put off my desire to get my four year degree for a long time. I let moving around the north east get in the way, buying a house and starting a family all stop me. That all ends in about a month. I re-enrolled at SUNY Albany for the fall semester and I'll be on my way to getting my degree in Economics.
As much as I'm excited, I'm a bit nervous. I need to juggle a family, home, career and now college. I have a lot of support from the wife and family so that helps but it's still a lot for me to take on.
I'm on a great career path and I already make more than most college graduates in my area, but it's mostly a personal goal for me, I'll be the first to get my family to get my degree. However, I also feel very trapped in my current field and I feel like having my degree will give me the ability to make a move in the future if I really want to.
Post edited by Upstatemax on
Comments
-
Congratulations!!
-
Congrats!Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
You go Upstatemax go. Education is something you can never loose. Or anyone can ever take away. Congrats !!!
-
Congratulations to you. If you have a child or children, you will be setting a fine example. Good luck!
-
I'm sure it will be a bit of a struggle / juggle till the degree is complete, but time will also pass very quickly during that time. Before you know it, you'll have achieved that goal and hopefully it will provide that extra security your looking for in the long term.
Congratulations on taking the first step to reaching that life goal, getting back to school.
ScottWithout music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines or dates by which bills must be paid. ..... Frank Zappa -
Fantastic and congrats. You are doing what many fear so much. Hats off to you!
-
Congrats. I have been toying with the decision as well. I am sure you will do great.
-
Congrats"if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
***************************** -
Thanks for all the kind words!
I think I'll pull out some of my old books out and read up, I'm pretty rusty on a lot of this stuff... -
I am envious of your drive. I'm in a similar boat, partially finished a four year degree but stuck in a rut with mortgage, car payments, family etc. Good luck, I'm sure the effort you put in will be worth it in the long run!Wristwatch--->Crisco
-
-
Congrats and best of luck!
I'm currently working on my MBA, and I agree with others above who say that while a family, mortgage, and bills can get in the way of going back to school, they also serve as a great motivator!
Once you get in the groove of things its not as bad as it sounds. Thinking about going to class and studying is worse than actually doing it. You get used to the sleep deprivation after a while!My System Showcase!
Media Room
Paradigm Studio 60 - Paradigm CC-690 - Paradigm ADP-390 - Epik Empire - Anthem MRX300 - Emotiva XPA-5
Living-room
Paradigm MilleniaOne - Rythmik F12GSE - Onkyo TX-SR805 - Adcom 5400
Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear - Shure SE215 - Fiio E18 Kunlun -
Max, with the support of your wife and kids, you'll do it. Two huge thumbs up !!
WHEN you accomplish this goal (and you will), make sure that you let your wife and kids know, "Look what WE accomplished" (which I'm sure you will).
Good way to set an example for the kids, too.
You'll make it, so have some fun along the way. Just no "Frank the Tank"' stuff. Congratulations.Sal Palooza -
mrbigbluelight wrote: »Just no "Frank the Tank"' stuff.
That is bad advice! Join a frat, drink much beer, etc, etc! Anyone can learn, not everyone gets to party in college!! If you do it right you may not have to worry about having a wife!!
Seriously, though Congrats and good luck.I got static in my head
The reflected sound of everything -
-
Congratulations, I did the same not long ago and I?m about to go back for some more. SUNY Albany is a great school and a steal for the money! You can?t go wrong with a good state school for the money rather than any of those propretary institutions.
emotiva xpa-2
emotiva xpa-3
Denon 3312ci
Rtia9 /csia6 / FXi A6
Samsung LN46A650
SVS PB-12-NSD sub
Audio Research SP-9 MKIII (GNSC mods)
W4S ST250
Lsi 9 (mods)
W4S DAC-2
Mac Mini
Audio Aero Prima CD player
Pro-Ject debut -
Thanks again guys.
I don't think I have any "Frank the tank" left in me and yes, my real name is Frank. -
Congratulations!
Good for you. A lot of people are returning to university, so they can change professions and find brand new work. The challenging economy has made it particularly hard while college expenditures are increasing. Luckily, you can get a payday loan to help you pay the bills. This can help you get through college, so you can get a fantastic, new job. -
Upstatemax wrote: »Well I decided I've had enough of putting my wants and needs aside and I'm enrolled in college again! I'm crazy excited about finishing my degree I just can't wait to get back into it.
I've put off my desire to get my four year degree for a long time. I let moving around the north east get in the way, buying a house and starting a family all stop me. That all ends in about a month. I re-enrolled at SUNY Albany for the fall semester and I'll be on my way to getting my degree in Economics.
As much as I'm excited, I'm a bit nervous. I need to juggle a family, home, career and now college. I have a lot of support from the wife and family so that helps but it's still a lot for me to take on.
I'm on a great career path and I already make more than most college graduates in my area, but it's mostly a personal goal for me, I'll be the first to get my family to get my degree. However, I also feel very trapped in my current field and I feel like having my degree will give me the ability to make a move in the future if I really want to.
Good Luck! Great idea! I was under the impression that you already had a degree because I thought you were in the eye care industry and that that would "require" a degree of some sort? In any case, SUNY (anywhere) is a good school! I have a colleague who teaches at the Stony Brook campus! But "economics"? Really? The "Dismal Science"? I can't talk to any of my colleagues in that field because not a one of them actually understands how a real world economy "works"! They spend half their time playing around with computer simulated modelling and think that, somehow, approximates reality when, in fact, half the variables they should be considering are political and historical in nature--something they "never" consider. It's hilarious to hear them, at job talks, talking about how beautiful a candidate's "model" was. I, occasionally, attend job talks if the candidate works on China. I remember the last guy who did a thesis on aspects of the modern Chinese economy; he had no real understanding of the Political and Economic history of the PRC and what preceded it. As a result, although the MODEL was "beautiful" it was the WRONG ONE! lol My economics colleagues were dismayed that I so easily pulled apart such a sophisticated analysis and made it seem extraordinarily NAIVE!
And I? I was appalled at such a lack of an interdisciplinary background in Chinese history, economics, politics, culture, etc. The same is true in other fields. The one that first comes to mind is Psychology, especially the "more" scientific branches of that discipline: neuropsychology. The "assumptions" that those boys and girls take for granted are LEGION! And they're clueless about them!
This is not to dissuade you. But just to suggest that you don't swallow everything some economics prof might tell you is true before you investigate it, fully, yourself. Having said this, I should disclose that my own son, is an..wait for it...economist, who has had his share of debates with me, most of which he loses! But then again, unlike most in his field, he DOES understand some of the problems and readily admits its limits? His girlfriend is currently in a Grad program in economics at one of the top ten Universities in the country.
The important thing in any field is that you make it 'your' own. In my own field, there are a lot of people who don't like me because I don't accept everything that is CURRENT and FASHIONABLE. Because I cry the "emperor has no clothes" a little too often. I was that way even as a first year grad student!
Look, education, regardless of what field it is in, is worth something, it furthers you ability to think. And if it is a good program the best thing it should do is lead you to QUESTION, endlessly question and take nothing for granted. And if you do that, you WILL contribute something to posterity, regardless of what everyone else may think!
Good Luck!
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
lillyP reported
-
Congrats. I also need to finish my degree maybe one day.Setup:
2 Channel: Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand, T+A P 1230R, Primare SPA21, Oppo BDP-105
PC: Vienna Acoustics Haydn Grand, Cambridge Azure 650A v2 , Peachtree iDAC, Denon DVD-3800BDCI -
Congratulations, Upststemax.
Your degree will have at least three values: 1) You'll have knowledge and intellectual discipline that will help you, not only in your career, but in your life. 2) You will have the "guild" card that is (justly or not) often used as a standard for deciding who is recruited, promoted, etc. 3) Having completed your degree under the conditions you describe will tell others that you are determined, disciplined and serious about achieving success.
Hang in there and get it done!Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
Good for you man, best wishes on your success.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
-
Congrats man, that's a great feeling. I screwed around a ton during my first stint in college, took about 6-7 years off, and then finished about a month prior to my 30th birthday. The second time was honestly a cake walk compared to the first, b/c I had been working full time and I knew that every single class was something I had paid for out of my own pocket. I may have missed 1-2 classes total in the 3 years it took me to finish my degree. There's something to be said for going at it with an adult's perspective. I suspect you'll do very well, in spite of life being "more busy" for you these days.
I've decided to start studying for my CFA, which brings on it's own difficulties. No class schedule, no one to keep me on track except me, and you really need to put in 2-3 hours a day for about 6 months prior to the exam to have a good chance of passing level 1. This will be a good test of my self discipline I suppose.2007 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
2010 Club Polk Fantasy Football Champ
2011 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
"It's like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!" -
Good Luck! Great idea! I was under the impression that you already had a degree because I thought you were in the eye care industry and that that would "require" a degree of some sort? In any case, SUNY (anywhere) is a good school! I have a colleague who teaches at the Stony Brook campus! But "economics"? Really? The "Dismal Science"? I can't talk to any of my colleagues in that field because not a one of them actually understands how a real world economy "works"! They spend half their time playing around with computer simulated modelling and think that, somehow, approximates reality when, in fact, half the variables they should be considering are political and historical in nature--something they "never" consider. It's hilarious to hear them, at job talks, talking about how beautiful a candidate's "model" was. I, occasionally, attend job talks if the candidate works on China. I remember the last guy who did a thesis on aspects of the modern Chinese economy; he had no real understanding of the Political and Economic history of the PRC and what preceded it. As a result, although the MODEL was "beautiful" it was the WRONG ONE! lol My economics colleagues were dismayed that I so easily pulled apart such a sophisticated analysis and made it seem extraordinarily NAIVE!
And I? I was appalled at such a lack of an interdisciplinary background in Chinese history, economics, politics, culture, etc. The same is true in other fields. The one that first comes to mind is Psychology, especially the "more" scientific branches of that discipline: neuropsychology. The "assumptions" that those boys and girls take for granted are LEGION! And they're clueless about them!
This is not to dissuade you. But just to suggest that you don't swallow everything some economics prof might tell you is true before you investigate it, fully, yourself. Having said this, I should disclose that my own son, is an..wait for it...economist, who has had his share of debates with me, most of which he loses! But then again, unlike most in his field, he DOES understand some of the problems and readily admits its limits? His girlfriend is currently in a Grad program in economics at one of the top ten Universities in the country.
The important thing in any field is that you make it 'your' own. In my own field, there are a lot of people who don't like me because I don't accept everything that is CURRENT and FASHIONABLE. Because I cry the "emperor has no clothes" a little too often. I was that way even as a first year grad student!
Look, education, regardless of what field it is in, is worth something, it furthers you ability to think. And if it is a good program the best thing it should do is lead you to QUESTION, endlessly question and take nothing for granted. And if you do that, you WILL contribute something to posterity, regardless of what everyone else may think!
Good Luck!
cnh
This is a bit of a blast from the past thread!
School has been going very well. I do work in Optics. Most of how I started (in the optical labs) was all on the job training and apprenticeships. I pulled myself up through the industry without my degree. However I'm starting to get to a point where if I want to continue moving up, a degree becomes much more important. I can get to the next level in my career without one but I would stall out there without my degree.
As for Economics and a lot of it being BS. I get that, trust me! I decided on it because it forces me to look at situations differently than I used to. It has given me a much better hold on being able to look at situations and logically analyze facts to make more reasonable decisions.
I don't look at Economics as Gospel by any stretch, just an added tool that I can use.
I did take this semester off as this is a VERY crazy time in my job right now and being able to make it to class week in and week out at very specific times was just not going to happen. I'm currently working 6 days a week with several 10+ hour days while my company is going through a transition.
I have been VERY seriously considering switching to an Online based program like the one offered through Penn State as it will give me MUCH more flexibility with my schedule.
