Advice: Going back to school, in your 30's - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Thor · 02-26-2009, 05:55 PM

So me and my best friend have been science junkies the last well 5 years especially.

This year he and I have decided to go back to University (or MRC) to get our Bsc in Biology.

Has anyone else done this in their mid 30s? Its exciting for me and I'm thrilled to go back and learn full time, but its a sacrifice obviously for at least 4yrs and a bit nerve wracking because of that.

The thought of Math always scares me so we're taking a Math 30 course in the summer just to familiarize ourselves with it again.

Also if anyone has their Bsc and is a Biologist of any shape/form, I'd love to hear about what you do, what you would recommend for specialization, microbiology, evolutionary biology, marine, etc..

4X4 · 02-26-2009, 05:58 PM

I call BS!! You're doing it to hang around with the college cuties, aren't you?

photon · 02-26-2009, 05:58 PM

I'm jealous.

Coach · 02-26-2009, 05:59 PM

As a relatively new university student. Don't be the older guy who always speaks up in class from "Life experience". Everyone hates that guy

NSFL · 02-26-2009, 06:01 PM

And to add to MattyC's point, don't be the freaking know it all who tries to have a discussion on a topic with the prof while class is going on. Wait until after if you are really so interested.

GreenTeaFrapp · 02-26-2009, 06:02 PM

I call it, "An excuse for him to score more pot and wave his ass at the co-eds".

Thor · 02-26-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyC

As a relatively new university student. Don't be the older guy who always speaks up in class from "Life experience". Everyone hates that guy

Haha, yeah I remember 'that guy' back in the 90's. Guaranteed I'll shut up and just learn.

onetwo_threefour · 02-26-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

I'm jealous.

I would be if it was any science but biology [shudder]

Although I was keen on neurobiology in my psych degree, but more from a electrochemical perspective than a gooey brains perspective.

onetwo_threefour · 02-26-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSFL

And to add to MattyC's point, don't be the freaking know it all who tries to have a discussion on a topic with the prof while class is going on. Wait until after if you are really so interested.

Why what's wrong with that??

4X4 · 02-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyC

As a relatively new university student. Don't be the older guy who always speaks up in class from "Life experience". Everyone hates that guy

Blargh! Reminds me of a guy that was in a land development course I took a couple months ago. No idea why he was there; all he did was interrupt the teacher and tell him "in reality, blah blah blah" Or "Not always... Sometimes this or that can happen..."[/rant]

Anyway, as for going back to school in your 30s, I've found that my brain doesn't absorb things the way it used to. Seems like I just learn stuff long enough to pass tests. But that's ok because it has taught me to reference my textbooks and to write alot of notes and specific page numbers on the table of contents page to lead me back to that one fact that I want to reference.
For some reason, I was always afraid to write in textbooks. Nowadays, I don't even bring a notebook. All my notes go in the margins of the texbooks.

Thor · 02-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

I would be if it was any science but biology [shudder]

Although I was keen on neurobiology in my psych degree, but more from a electrochemical perspective than a gooey brains perspective.

My friend is into Neuro Science, but to have to get into med school and the extra years in school is an issue. We'll see what he ends up doing, but I know if he had his way he wants to study the brain over anything else.

He might end up after his first year majoring in Psych depending how things go, but we'll see.

onetwo_threefour · 02-26-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

My friend is into Neuro Science, but to have to get into med school and the extra years in school is an issue. We'll see what he ends up doing, but I know if he had his way he wants to study the brain over anything else.

He might end up after his first year majoring in Psych depending how things go, but we'll see.

You can do some interesting neurobiology in an undergrad in third or fourth year if you take the right pre-reqs. I took three courses in the psychology department that I would classify as 'neurobiology'. Neuropharmacology was a really interesting course as well. I suspect that these wouldn't be offered at MRC though.

flamingchina · 02-26-2009, 06:28 PM

While I wasn't in my mid thirties, I was in my mid to late 20s...
forthed, don't be the annoying old guy in class.
Some students will seem like high school kids, some will be good, as you go on in your studies, they'll get better.
Bone up on your math before you go.
Don't go to the Den and try and pick up girls.

Jayems · 02-26-2009, 06:32 PM

Well, I'd like to know how some profs got jobs. Sure, they're knowledgeable in their subject but lack any fundamental idea on how to teach it to students. I honestly have a class where I show up only to write my name on a piece of paper, and surf CP all class because the prof fumbles with words, gives wrong info, catches it, then gives the right info... confuses the hell out of everyone... then gets mad when no one speaks in class about what was just taught. I just study the material on my own time.

I'd have to say, a laptop is almost a must. I don't think I could have done without mine.

Displaced Flames fan · 02-26-2009, 06:35 PM

Thor, I know this subject better than anyone here...or at least as well. If you take nothing else from this thread KNOW THIS....

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, STOP.

I have experiences in this too vast to post in this thread, feel free to PM me and I'll happily share with you.

I commend your decision and am very happy for you!

Displaced Flames fan · 02-26-2009, 06:40 PM

As for specialties, this is something only you can decide (DUH), but microbiology is fascinating, FUN and has a huge variety of applications in the working world.

Jayems · 02-26-2009, 06:41 PM

Thats the other thing... your're probably making a decision to go back to school to do something you genuinely love to do. Its why i went back. I love it. Now, I'm in my final semester. I constantly hear other students cry about how much they hate college etc... so why are you doing it? Why not change majors?

If you love what you're doing, you'll love school and will be one hell of an experience. I miss making money... but, they say this is the best time to be in school (re: economy)

And who said don't go pick up chicks?

If your a single guy, and you pull it off... well sir, I'd tip my hat to you. There's bound to be one gal angry at daddy.

Thor · 02-26-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

As for specialties, this is something only you can decide (DUH), but microbiology is fascinating, FUN and has a huge variety of applications in the working world.

That's one of the reasons it appeals to me, variety and its very interesting indeed.

henriksedin33 · 02-26-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyC

As a relatively new university student. Don't be the older guy who always speaks up in class from "Life experience". Everyone hates that guy

My first thought immediately after seeing the thread title. Please don't be "that guy".

Kybosh · 02-26-2009, 06:47 PM

Work hard, get good grades and see if someone will hire you for summer or semester research projects. I'm not gonna lie, research can be a cold merciless witch but it is really great at the same time. Very good experience and you'll get paid.

Also, will you punch any science student you meet that says they are pre-med? There is no such thing in Calgary and I hate all those stupid kids.

Edit: I should mention that I'm a PhD. chemist, not a BioSci guy but I've had plenty of overlap. Send me PM's if you want advice for anything.