AH! Guess who's starting school soon? ME!

[USAF385]

This is a strange situation I've found myself in.. I'm going back to school! The first time in 6 years. After high school I enlisted and... got out sooner than I expected (I'm in the process of re enlisting in the AF Reserve, but that's a different story).

I'm actually a bit nervous. My brother laughs at me.. I was an aerial gunner in the USAF, served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.. and school is making me nervous! It's just that it's a foreign environment to me, I'll adapt quickly. It'll be weird being around young hippie kids. I'll be popular though... everyone want's to be friends with the old man who can buy them beer.....

I start the end of August. It's such a strange experience for me. I have to get a physical (like I haven't had enough of THOSE while in the service), pick up a few hundred dollars worth of books, and also about $300 in tools (well, less.. I already own a lot of the tools required.)

It's a two year school, and I'm going for Biomedical Equipment technology. Basically, here's what that is (straight from the school's site):

Biomedical Equipment technology puts graduates in the forefront of today's medical equipment technology by preparing technicians in all aspects of the use and care of electro-medical equipment, from installation and inspection to calibration and repair.

I figured it's a decent field. Anything medical based is supposedly a good option since people will always need medical care (please, let's not get started on the topic of health care...).

Well.. just a quasi rant about my schoolin'. Now I'm just trying to browse their info to see where they ban me carrying a concealed weapon.

 

[rags]

Good luck with that!! It will be a blast!! (Positive Thinking 101!)

 

[bmhiii]

USAF,

Kudos for you for trying to better yourself. It'll be fun after you get into the groove. Learning is good stuff...

 

[WC145]

Biomed is a great job. Some hospitals hire their own biomed techs and others use contract companies, like GE, that send techs in for repair calls and annual inspections.
Good luck with your new endeavor!

 

[BlackAgnes]

Here's a little perspective--I started my undergrad work in 1964 and finally got my BA in 2002--do the math! I got my MS in 2006 and now teach part-time at a local four-year college, after I retired from the USAF (NY Air Guard).

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll do fine.

Stay with it!

Tim

 

[flagaman1950]

Sir,
I graduated high school in 1969, graduated with BS in 1999 and final got my MS in 2001. Most of it was 2-3 classes a semester with at least five different colleges attended. Figured it up a while back and I have about 190 or so hrs. Felt like I was in school forever. But one thing is for sure, time will pass whether you are in school or not. Next year will get here so why not have something to show for it aside from a vast knowledge of late night sitcoms.

One step at a time and you will get there.

Best to you young man.
Howard

 

[USAF385]

Thanks for the pep talk guys! I know after a week or two I'll be into it... I figured this type of school will be good for me.. a lot more hands on and job oriented training. (I have two internships during the 2nd year...)

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Education is one of the few things that they cannot take from you. Enjoy it. Age has its advantages too.

 

[Wickahoney]

I got my under graduate degree at age 34 and my graduate degree at 36. I went back in my 40s and got a second graduate degree in an area the agency wanted me to have a degree in, so they paid for it. The two were on VA Voc Rehads dime.

It will be a bit odd but I suspect given your chosen field and the 2 year program there may well be other guys close to your age.

It was "interesting" going to school with a bunch of 18 year olds.

Have fun and enjoy the experience.

By the way all the real hippies are MY age, 60 or so. The current crop now, are granolas, or dopers or............ ;-)

 

[gunlovingirl]

Congrats and best wishes!

 

[OKFC05]

Congrats! Six years out is not so long. I've had returning students in their 40's who had not been to any school since high school.
Had one group of women who had been working in a factory that closed and they came back on a state paid program: looked like deer caught in the headlights. They took both remedial math and college algebra from me, and were terrified of school at first. They came back to visit me 4 years later after they got their bachelor degrees.
I enjoyed the returning students who understood what work was and were motivated.

 

[pawncop]

Congratulations on your decision to return to training and education.

I think you will be shocked by the attitudes of the youngsters if they are anything like the attitudes I see .

I am now 58 and work with a very large number of younglings under age 25. They have a lot to learn about life. Maybe you can help prepare them.