Am I alone?

[JChaney]

I am 25, been in college for the past 3 years, including the Air Force community college. Was in the military, during the war, injured, and also took another two year course before that. Worked in a variety of places before. (Machine designe and machine trades) Realized that I don't want to be a factory worker and watch my life's early habbits, continue to steal precious time where marginal cost...destroys marginal revenue, not to mention a family. I worked an average of 300 overtime hours, every three months automating machines for proccess off the line. I have made great sacrifice just to get here. I enjoyed making over 40k year before I was 21, but realizing a quick factory paycheck may not be the ticket working 100 hours a week for $13.50, maybe now it would be $15.00 or $16.00 with no or little retirment. Maybe $20 hour at the best in another five years, that is if I agree never to see home. So with that experiance, and wasting no time cotinuing college... I have a more than an associates in computer science; MCSE, MCSD with other buisness classes undermy belt with a year left for my Bahelors. For transfer, I am taking Algebra and a social class, then transfering to the University of Toledo. They accept all my credits and have the classes to finish everything in computers, just in case, but computer jobs are far and few between, so why even stop long enough to know? Meanwhile, on the way around, I start taking prepharmacy clesses next semester. By the time I get enough experiance for computers, I can get the Pharmd completed, and be getting "computer experiance" at the same time. So I think I must transfere. Once there, I need to take pre-chem, then Chem 1 with all my other prerequ's because I never had Chemistry and for that scored like a 25 on my pre-admissions test. Maybe I can apply next fall quarter if I double up on Pre-chem and Chem 1, that is... assuming my math is in good shape. Is there anybody in this situation, or near? If so what are the odds of making a seemingly smooth transition? I am not too old, but at the turning point, so I am wondering where I will be in step two. Thank you, and remember..............................
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[ShyRem]

JChaney, I too worked a huge bunch o' hours, got hurt on the job, and after a short bout of deer-in-the-headlights depression (I REALLY LOVED my job), went back to school. However, unlike you, I had tons of math under my belt. Granted, it was 20 years ago, but my college still took it. I dove in with 21 credits a semester. I also had two small children and a husband working odd hours at the time... so my time was in short supply indeed.

I started with a review of Calculus, and took some chemistry, physics, and upper division math classes. By my second semester, I was taking linear algebra II and a graph theory class working on a very little-known part of graph theory called Kneser graphs. I am in my third year back, and this year I will finish a double major in math and chemistry. I haven't viewed it as a transition, really, just a continuation of a path I have chosen. So in that regard, I have had very few problems. My drive and determination certainly are better than the first time in college 20 years ago, and I find taking the courses much easier now. Probably because I have a purpose, a goal, and I know who I am. I'm not wasting time figuring out what I want to do or who I am. The real-life experience makes classes more interesting, and gives a context to the learning that younger folks are missing.

Hang in there, take a deep breath and remember: In four years you're going to be four years older anyway. Why not be doing something you love to do?

Good luck

 

[RangerD]

Maybe I can apply next fall quarter if I double up on Pre-chem and Chem 1, that is... assuming my math is in good shape. Is there anybody in this situation, or near? If so what are the odds of making a seemingly smooth transition? I am not too old, but at the turning point, so I am wondering where I will be in step two. Thank you, and remember..............................
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You and I have a lot in common. I am a bit older (33) and am applying to MD instead of PharmD, but other than that, the situation is about the same. I am prior Army, got wounded and got Purple Heart, etc. I got out and worked up to 3 jobs concurrently to support my family while taking all college courses at night. My main job was in computer/technology field. I worked as a Systems Analyst, then manager making good money. I also have MCSE, etc. I know what it is like to try and juggle all of those things, and squeeze in the pre-req classes while trying to keep up the GPA so you stay competitive. It is a tough road, but it is worth it. I finished up all the pre-reqs last semester, which was probably the worst semester as far as stress because I squeezed in the MCAT, along with working 80 hours per week, along with taking OChem II Lecture + Lab and Physics II Lecture + Lab. I didn't sleep much last semester. Now however, it is behind and I am glad I sucked it up and got it over with. I'll be starting med school in 2005.

Just keep the goal in mind and keep plugging away. You'll get through things quicker than you realize. Good luck...