Just took a college placement test

[JHT67]

I think I did OK, but as soon as I see how some of the math gets done I'll be kicking myself. I did not do well in school at all, luckily just graduating. I learned a lot about myself when I took my HVAC/R service tech class in 06-07. I realized I wasn't as stupid as I thought, and with enough "want to" I can accomplish something, and to top it all, I came out of there with the top grades in the class, from an instructor that did not care who you were or where you came from, you got what you got. And from that point on all I've wanted to do was learn, realizing what I should have done over 10 years ago. So after applying more than once over the last couple of years, I decided today to really get the ball rolling. I am going to do my best to get an associates degree in mechanical engineering, and see where I can go from there. I'm not sure what all I can get into with this degree, but I definitely hope I can teach my 2 young kids the importance of a good education and where you can go with it.

[71swb4x4]

All you have to do is apply yourself. For some people it takes a while to figure out ho to do it.
One of the biggest delinquents in my high school class is now a doctor. This kid was at the bottom of my high school classes, and now he is way smarter than I am. He was always way smarter than me, he just didn't know it, so no one else did either.

[fastwillie 696969]

congrates dude go for it,knowledge is awesome i wish the best for ya ,you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it ,dont be afraid to fail some of the best things have come from failure ,but im glad you found yourself to be in good sprit,good luck

[JHT67]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

All you have to do is apply yourself. For some people it takes a while to figure out ho to do it.
One of the biggest delinquents in my high school class is now a doctor. This kid was at the bottom of my high school classes, and now he is way smarter than I am. He was always way smarter than me, he just didn't know it, so no one else did either.

Originally Posted by fastwillie 696969

congrates dude go for it,knowledge is awesome i wish the best for ya ,you can do anything you want if you put your mind to it ,dont be afraid to fail some of the best things have come from failure ,but im glad you found yourself to be in good sprit,good luck

Thanks guys, Me and the wife just finished a FASFA app., when we were done it let us know we messed up on our earnings some how and now I need to see an advisor. I was kind of pushing it thinking I could get things done and start the winter quarter (Monday), but with the mistake it will probably be the spring quarter thats starts in March. Oh well, Monday or March, it's gonna happen

[pat 70/71]

Stay with it! never give up Its worth it you might be on the long program but your in the program. I own a small contracting business and have two boys in collage both hated math in high school . now, both are math majors go figure. have fun and never stop trying! cheers, Pat

[dammitmitchell]

if you want to b able to go to college after having a hard time in high school there's always the military.
I did my 6 years and am really enjoying the down time while attending for my degree in aviation sciences.
plus its free now.

Im not plugging for recruitment just giving an option. I spent 6 years working on Apache gunships, and now im getting my civillian certs so i can continue doing this in the civillian world.
In high school i was a little rough around the edges, always in trouble and got arrested a few times. My grades sucked but my scores were always good, i could use the ecuse of rough childhood or i wasn't challenged. But the reality is that i was just a S**head, the army straightened me up, opened my eyes to responsibility and i got my crap together. So when i got out i was married with three kids, realized how much life meant and now i go to school. Id probably just be some angry small shop mechanic, or still working construction job to job, getting my butt whooped for running my mouth.

Lifes full of options bro!, If you apply yourself to the correct medium and always remember every class you take is for a better future you wont fail.

[pig rig]

I to was the class clown and I put more effort in to putting keggers together and building things (mostly cars) then school work. after school I went to work in an oil refinery doing general construction and maintance work. after a few years I started to weld and I really enjoy it but with the way the economy is Ive been out of work so much over the last year, along with being a single father its realy hard to chase the money by traveling
after looking into what I could do that would give me a longterm employment in a field of work I enjoy Im going back after 25 yrs to get a bachelor degree in construction managment and maybe a second degree in architectural engineering



I did my placement test and was planing on starting monday but I found out this morning my fasfa is screwed up. I'll have to wait until monday to figure out what its going to take to get it fixed

[JHT67]

I guess I was kind of an odd-ball slacker. I never got in any trouble, I wasn't the class clown, I've never drank or did drugs, and wasn't any kind of bully or anything. I just put NO effort into applying myself, figured I didn't know how to do it because I wasn't smart enough, so why try, I might as well sleep, so that's what I did.

pig rig, I too wanted to start on Monday, but I messed up my FASFA. But for me it was probably a good thing, because I just took my placement test and filled out my FASFA this past monday. and the 2 classes I needed (prerequisites) were full, and now I can take my time, get everything in order and be more prepared. Good luck pig rig.

[red69ss]

Congrats on making a wise decision, I just got an associates degree in 2008 at the age of 37, I barely made it through high school because of goofing off and drugs. You will be suprised at how well you will do in school when you actually apply yourself and try, I know I was.

The one thing I found out quick was to register for the next semester as soon as they opened up enrollment as the classes fill up fast. Good luck and keep us posted on how your doing.

[JHT67]

Originally Posted by red69ss

Congrats on making a wise decision, I just got an associates degree in 2008 at the age of 37, I barely made it through high school because of goofing of and drugs. You will be suprised at how well you will do in school when you actually apply yourself and try, I know I was.

The one thing I found out quick was to register for the next semester as soon as they opened up enrollment as the classes fill up fast. Good luck and keep us posted on how your doing.

Thanks, I am excited about it, so you all will probably be updated often, and maybe even some questions, like when I got home I had to get on the computer quick to see what complete factorization was, because I had to have been sleeping on that day, and that wasn't the only one

[pig rig]

I went to an orientation the other day, and one thing I did realize is they dont want you to fail. if you have a problem someone, someplace, has the answer or can help you understand it. you just have to apply yourself.
my first classes were going to be refresher english and math just cause I dont remember any of it and Im going to take a computer class so I can learn how to use this thing for more then checking out truck sites and cruzin porn

[GMCjunkie]

JHT67, Hey, I just turned 43 years old, I "graduated" High School in 2010 (GED) with my younger son, Justin. I am enrolled in the AA program here at our local college and may go on to an Elementary Ed. Degree after I complete my AA. I had such a hard time in High School, didn't have alot of support at home or at school for that matter. Married young, started a family and always told myself I didnt have time/ couldnt afford school because of my kids. Well all but one of my children are grown and graduated now. My husband is an Educator/Administrator and has been the light in my life, encouraging me every step of the way. Also, if there is something you are struggling with, check with your College student services. They usually have tutors that are free to you. I hit a brick wall last semester with English and History. I got with an awesome little girl named Ceceila and the classes I was failing, I passed with an A and a B+. Stay positive, keep going and always know you have support here with your "family".

Good Luck!
junk

[msgross]

Here's how I see it... high school is the hardest part of education, then undergrad then Masters...

I was a B- student in high school, went to the Army, got our after 4 years and they paid for my 4 year degree (3.2 GPA), went to flight school and just now finished my MBA (Masters in Business) with a 3.88 GPA.... As stated, you can do anything once you apply yourself! Hang in there, going to school with a wife and kids will be difficult, cash flow it and don't go in debt.

BTW the National Guard has some awesome benefits too... Go Air National Guard though!

[JHT67]

Originally Posted by GMCjunkie

JHT67, Hey, I just turned 43 years old, I "graduated" High School in 2010 (GED) with my younger son, Justin. I am enrolled in the AA program here at our local college and may go on to an Elementary Ed. Degree after I complete my AA. I had such a hard time in High School, didn't have alot of support at home or at school for that matter. Married young, started a family and always told myself I didnt have time/ couldnt afford school because of my kids. Well all but one of my children are grown and graduated now. My husband is an Educator/Administrator and has been the light in my life, encouraging me every step of the way. Also, if there is something you are struggling with, check with your College student services. They usually have tutors that are free to you. I hit a brick wall last semester with English and History. I got with an awesome little girl named Ceceila and the classes I was failing, I passed with an A and a B+. Stay positive, keep going and always know you have support here with your "family".

Good Luck!
junk

Originally Posted by msgross

Here's how I see it... high school is the hardest part of education, then undergrad then Masters...

I was a B- student in high school, went to the Army, got our after 4 years and they paid for my 4 year degree (3.2 GPA), went to flight school and just now finished my MBA (Masters in Business) with a 3.88 GPA.... As stated, you can do anything once you apply yourself! Hang in there, going to school with a wife and kids will be difficult, cash flow it and don't go in debt.

BTW the National Guard has some awesome benefits too... Go Air National Guard though!

Thanks for the support and the encouragement. Not everyone around me always understands my decision making, and I know I make my dad especially nervous, mostly because I've almost always lived my life not worried about tomorrow. As I get older I see my self thinking into the future more, but I still have no idea where this degree could take me and I'm not concerned, do I want to upgrade my financial situation? Sure. For now though, I just want to get educated. I've always had some issues with the feeling that I'm not very smart, and once I took the HVAC tech course I realized that I might be kind of smart. So with our financial situation the way it is right now and my wife behind me 1000%, I just can't pass on it now. And hopefully Obama will want to give me plenty of gubment aid to help me get through it (at least a good loan)

[dave2953]

I don't think you messed up on your FAFSA. Likely what happened is that you were selected for income verification. That just means that they want you to verify that you make what you say you make. I was selected for this every year, so it's pretty normal. I applaud the decision you are making for yourself. Plenty of people talk about wanting to go, but you're actually doing it. Good for you! I just graduated from college in December and I'm starting graduate school in the summer. Time flies when you're in school and you'll be graduating before you know it. Let us know how everything goes or if you need any help with anything.

[LEEVON]

good for you JHT67...knowledge is power. The funny thing about a "higher ed" degree is that it's not always so much about the nuts and bolts of what you learn but that you were empowered to learn. I'm amazed at the number of folks I meet who don't know they can take initiative and learn about something, anything that can make them better.

As for the "smart" thing, that is relative for sure. I know lots of over-achievers who barely made it though school. One example for you, a lifelong friend struggled from kindergarten all the way through college and he's now a maxillo-fascial? surgeon (we're 30). Another is a USAF pilot, and so on.

On the flip side, lot's of "book smart" folks I know don't have any common sense.

An associates ME should get you respectful employment no problem...