Is it too late to go back to school at 32?

  • Thread starter Thread starter light_bulb
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    School
AI Thread Summary
Going back to school at 32 can be a beneficial decision, especially if one feels the need for personal preparation before diving into academic life. The discussion emphasizes the importance of being ready mentally and physically, suggesting that taking time to get organized is valid. Concerns about age and societal pressure are acknowledged, with examples of individuals successfully completing degrees later in life, such as someone finishing a bachelor's degree at 40. The conversation highlights that maturity and financial readiness are crucial factors in the decision to return to school. It is also recommended to start with general education requirements to ease into the academic environment, allowing for a smoother transition while balancing work and study. Ultimately, the consensus is that pursuing education at any age is acceptable as long as one feels prepared and committed.
light_bulb
Messages
197
Reaction score
0
do you think going to school at 32 is a good idea? I'm 28 now but due to some setbacks i need to get my life, body and mind in order before i go back to school. i think i need prep time so i can run right out of the gate while others want to push me before i feel i can swim. should i go to school now or do what i feel is the best method for myself?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Personally, I'd always do what I know is good for me. Whilst there can be circumstances where I'll choose a poor route - that mostly applies when I'm not as fully as informed as I think I am - don't have all the facts. It's certainly something that's up to you, I can't see there being many new limitations introduced - and the fact that you feel you need more time before you're ready says to me that it's required. You will need to be committed to school when you get there so that you know you have the best chance you're capable of.
 
thanks, i think i already know what's best for myself (maybe i just need some reassurance :-p ) i just have family members telling me that all i do is waste time and that I'm not showing anything
 
are you worried about being too old to back to school? daveb on this forum got his bachelor's in math and physics at UCLA around age 40 I think. pm him for how his experience was
 
Any time is a good time - as long as you are mature enough (and financially able) to handle it, and it sounds like you understand that. I'll be finishing my BS at age 41.

You can also work a little bit on your general education requirements now and find out what kind of unit load you can handle while working (I'm assuming that you are). Sometimes it is better to ease in and test the waters than to just dive into the deep end right away.
 
Last edited:
My mom went back to school in her 50's. She had gone from high school into nursing school, which back in the 1950's did not provide degrees.

She decided that since all her kids had college degrees, she ought to do the same. So she did! :approve:
 

Thread 'Where did all the “fundamentals-deepening” master’s programs go?'

I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
View full post »

Thread 'Applied Math PhD candidate but I hate group theory'

TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
View full post »

Similar threads

Admissions Is it too late to pursue a career in physics at 32 years old?
Replies
16
Views
2K
Other Is it too late to pursue physics?
Replies
12
Views
1K
Other How much does GPA and Prestigious school indicate success?
Replies
7
Views
2K
Schools Which Canadian university should I go to for physics undergrad?
Replies
8
Views
3K
Other Should I go back to grad school for physics after 4.5 years?
Replies
28
Views
4K
Schools Can I still be competitive at a small school?
Replies
22
Views
2K
Advice: Doing grad school abroad and getting a masters instead of PhD
Replies
15
Views
4K
Admissions Going BACK to graduate school after failing.... How hard will it be?
Replies
9
Views
7K
Other Physics PhD after working for few years
Replies
12
Views
2K
Admissions Advice on how best to spend my time for graduate school applications
Replies
15
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top