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Do you go back school at the ripe old age of 60?


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2013 Apr 12, 5:46am   2,169 views  13 comments

by MAGA   ➕follow (1)   💰tip   ignore  

I'm thinking about going back to school. Not for any particular reason. Just to stimulate my brain.

My goal sometime in the distant future, a MS in Math. I have a degree in Computer Science right now.

BTW, I have a younger brother (by two years) who doesn't even have a GED. Go figure. People grow up differently I guess.

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1   JodyChunder   2013 Apr 12, 7:19am  

I think you've got the right idea. Consider it a discretionary luxury (which is kinda what it is anyway, really). Treat yourself.

2   MAGA   2013 Apr 12, 10:01am  

SFace says

The only reason it makes sense are social reasons.

Two words: Young co-ed's. :-)

3   curious2   2013 Apr 12, 10:30am  

Education is the best predictor of longevity. Money and health insurance "pale in comparison". The Internet has brought online learning to the world, but most people lack the discipline to learn as much that way as they do in a more structured environment; if you want the social interactions, resume your education and enjoy the challenges.

4   Rin   2013 Apr 12, 10:52am  

There are plenty of lifelong learning associations at various colleges' continuing ed programs. The tuition for those classes are typically less than that of full time undergrad/grad studies.

Here's a sample in the Boston campus of UMass, http://www.umb.edu/olli/about

5   MershedPerturders   2013 Apr 12, 12:36pm  

jvolstad says

ave a degree in Computer Science right now.

BTW, I have a younger brother (by two years) who doesn'

oh ya be the pervy old guy in class, awesome idea.

6   FuckTheMainstreamMedia   2013 Apr 12, 12:59pm  

FWIW, in a society where the life expectancy is pushing every higher, 60 isn't old.

7   tovarichpeter   2013 Apr 12, 1:21pm  

Sixty is no longer "old". Learning should never stop. An MS in math sounds like a great idea. Since when is college or university or learning only for kids.

8   MershedPerturders   2013 Apr 12, 1:32pm  

dodgerfanjohn says

FWIW, in a society where the life expectancy is pushing every higher, 60 isn't old.

sure for so long as you figure out a way for all the young people to pay for your healthcare.

9   Tenpoundbass   2013 Apr 12, 2:34pm  

jvolstad says

I'm thinking about going back to school. Not for any particular reason. Just to stimulate my brain.

The best reason I can think of to even go to school.

10   marcus   2013 Apr 12, 2:56pm  

SFace says

Nope, bad return on investment. If you really want to learn, you can learn everything you need outside the classroom at 25% of the time required. The only reason it makes sense are social reasons.

play some poker if you want to stimulate the mind. It's great to avoid alzheimer.

I agree about poker being stimulating.

But about school, I say go for it. Hey, a couple courses at a time, you don't have to commit to more than that. SF is wrong. If you are going to take a class, like say linear algebra 2, or complex analysis, at least for me, I need a class structure with deadlines and exams.

Without that, I'm not going to feel the pressure I need to feel to get it done. At least not in a timely manner.

I say go for it. Why not ? Hey maybe even take your time. Don't skip prerequisites. When I went back to school (previous degree in business) to study MAth, I sometimes skipped things I probably shouldn't have. For example taking a 400 level statistics class "introduction to probability" (not what it sounds like) only having had a lightweight stats class many years earlier. Somewhere I stil have a thick note book of all the work, mostly integrals for that into to probability class.

I got through, but would have had a much easier time taking the 200 level stats class first.

Definitlely go for it. If you're not sure, just take one or two classes and see how you feel then. It doesn't have to be a degree program, at this point, just take whatever classes you want.

I suggest: combinatorics, linear algebra one and two, number theory, and complex analysis as a good classes to start. But you should probably get a few calculus classes under your belt first, if it's been a long time. And maybe even a trigonometry class before that, if you really don't remember much.

Yeah. I recommend starting with trigonometry, unless you really remember it well.
Take your time, and do it right. In a couple years you can be up to some really great undergrad Math. If you jump right in to that, that works too, but the stronger background first will make it more enjoyable.

SF has no clue what he's talking about. If you're learning a particular programming language or how to work with a specific api, then yeah, pick up a manual. But in Math, you need to do a bunch of problems, and you need a structured class to get enough done with a topic. At least most people do.

11   Buster   2013 Apr 12, 3:01pm  

I agree with many commenters here: GO FOR IT! My step dad went back to college in his late 70s and graduated with a finance degree in his 80s. He LOVED the experience and he loved being around the young folks as well as his professors.

12   MAGA   2013 Apr 12, 9:53pm  

MershedPerturders says

dodgerfanjohn says

FWIW, in a society where the life expectancy is pushing every higher, 60 isn't old.

sure for so long as you figure out a way for all the young people to pay for your healthcare.

Uncle Sam has me covered.

http://www.humana-military.com/south/bene/TRICAREPrograms/prime.asp

Part of my benefits for serving 20+ years in the Army.

13   Dan8267   2013 Apr 13, 8:38am  

jvolstad says

SFace says

The only reason it makes sense are social reasons.

Two words: Young co-ed's. :-)

Beat me to it.

Yep, that's the only reason to go to college, young or old.

There's nothing you can learn on campus that you can't learn online, unless it involves a body. I'm talking about medical school cadavers, you perverts.

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