# In which MsRobyn gets off her duff and decides to do something with her life **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 9, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585 "2003-01-09T19:54:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/1 "2003-01-09T19:54:42Z")
As most of y’all know, I’ve been off work since the end of June, between being very pregnant, having Aaron, and recovering from having Aaron. This time off has led to some serious soul-searching. And so, I’ve decided to go back to school. Yes, at the ripe old age of 32 (when school starts), I will hopefully be occupying a seat at [Shippensburg University](http://www.ship.edu) in beautiful Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. I plan to be a communications/journalism major. This college thing is newish to me. I’ve done community college before, but never attempted enrollment at a four-year college. I’ve got to get paperwork together, and find out if I need to take the SAT. Wow! I feel like I’m 18 all over again, only with fewer zits and less insecurity! Robin ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/2 "2003-01-09T20:04:47Z")
Congratulations! My husband and I took the plunge last year and started college together (again for me, first time for him). I was so excited to get back to college again. I’m sure you’ll love it! I think that starting later can in a lot of ways be a great advantage. You’ve already got a great support structure with your family cheering you on, and your ability to process the information and realize the importance and real life application of your studies is definitely a positive motivation. It’s interesting, because I actually find myself having more interesting conversations with my husband than before, as we usually study together, and invariably the topic of our studies will provoke topics we may never have thought to ask each other about before. I don’t know what the rules are in your state, but you may be able to take the college entrance exam in lieu of the SAT if you choose. I wish you great success in life and your learning 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/3 "2003-01-09T20:29:45Z")
A) watch the movie “Animal House” to refresh your memory of what college life is like. B) Don’t trust anybody that tries to get you to join their little social club. Watch the movie “Heathers” for more details. C) Observer your teachers closely. The movie “The Faculty” explains why. Everything I know about life, I learned from Hollywood. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/4 "2003-01-09T20:30:29Z")
P.S. I forgot the timeless classic “Revenge of the Nerds”. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/5 "2003-01-09T20:33:23Z")
Don’t forget “Ferris Bueller’s day off”, for when you want to get out of going to school. Good Luck. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/6 "2003-01-09T20:40:05Z")
Speaking as someone who Has No Life, I admire your gumption, determination and know that you will do great. ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/7 "2003-01-09T20:43:29Z")
Be prepared to be hit on a lot. Prepare **Airman** for the probability of you being hit on a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/8 "2003-01-09T20:53:59Z")
Well done! There’s nothing better than that. Bear in mind, I left schools years ago. But going was the right thing. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. ---
**Author:** ![TruePisces](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/truepisces/32/13628_2.png) [@TruePisces](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruePisces)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/9 "2003-01-09T21:24:16Z")
Woo-hoo! That sounds like a great step to make, **Robyn**. It’s something I’ve been contemplating for awhile, but need to get a few more ducks herded back into their rows before I can do it. I admire you for taking that on. I always knew you were one cool chick, but this proves your even cooler. And like **JC** said, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/10 "2003-01-09T21:25:37Z")
I used to teach at the college level, and I _loved_ older students – there to learn, not to party. Congratulations on your decision – best wishes! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/11 "2003-01-09T21:43:03Z")
As a professor, I had the same experience with older students as **twickster** did - they’re the best! And from my own experience as a student, I know why. When I went to college right out of high school, it wasn’t that I especially wanted to be there - it was just what an upper-middle-class kid was supposed to do after high school. I coasted. When I went back to grad school at 29, I kicked butt: it _mattered_ this time. So good luck, **MsRobyn** - I’ll be cheering you on, all the way!! ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/12 "2003-01-09T21:52:38Z")
Woohoo! Communications is the best major - it is sufficiently vague that it applies to almost any job description, yet people don’t quite know what it means. Every job needs a Communications expert! Good to have a specialization, too. That way, when you apply for a journalism job, you stress that. When you apply for other jobs, stress the all-encompassing Communications major. -Velma, who has a B.A. in Communications, and still doesn’t quite know how to explain what it is. Oh, the irony. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/13 "2003-01-09T22:21:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RTFirefly \* > \*\*And from my own experience as a student, I know why. When I went to college right out of high school, it wasn’t that I especially wanted to be there - it was just what an upper-middle-class kid was supposed to do after high school. I coasted. When I went back to grad school at 29, I kicked butt: it _mattered_ this time. > \*\* This is completely true - I coasted through my undergrad. I started grad school this fall, and the attitude is completely different - I want to be here (and it’s my money, and my choice). Best of luck to you, **MsRobyn** - it’s worth every minute and every sweat over papers soon due. (y’all remind me of this when I’m sweating papers at the end of this semester, ok?) ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/14 "2003-01-09T22:57:55Z")
As a returning adult student myself, good for you! I’ve found I’m doing a LOT better this time around – I have a 4.0 GPA! Many universities have an organization for older students – might be worth looking into. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21825_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/15 "2003-01-09T23:03:27Z")
Good on ya!! I often toyed with returning to school, but I lacked your discipline and drive. Best of luck to you. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/16 "2003-01-09T23:11:52Z")
I’m seriously looking into going back to school as well. How hard is it to get a student loan? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/17 "2003-01-09T23:20:22Z")
I’ll back up RT and the others saying that while I was teaching I enjoyed the older students more. They’re more focused and more experienced. That counts for a lot in an unstructured setting like college. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/18 "2003-01-09T23:44:51Z")
Good luck, Robyn. My advice: Keep up with your assignments. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/19 "2003-01-09T23:55:21Z")
Good luck and such:) Oh, and re: the SAT, YMMV, but there ought to be some sort of placement test they’ll use to figger out just where to put you. That’s what I got to do a few days ago when I discovered I couldn’t find my SAT scores, though I remember what I got. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585/20 "2003-01-09T23:58:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by twickster47 \* > \*\*I used to teach at the college level, and I _loved_ older students – there to learn, not to party. Congratulations on your decision – best wishes! \*\* * * * That’s why I always enjoy my night classes the most. Or any class with older students. You’ll do great! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-msrobyn-gets-off-her-duff-and-decides-to-do-something-with-her-life/147585.md?page=2)