Hypothetical question for you

[wolfcamp]

Here is a hypothetical question for you, although it's reality for me right now. I have been thinking about posting this for a few days, and I'm curious to see what you would do if you were in my shoes.

Right now I am fulfilling a 30 year dream of going back to college. I just completed one year and I have done reasonably well considering the time I've been away from studies, and the competition for grades from young, fresh, and sometimes very bright kids. I am giving up some of the things I enjoy to be here. I have been separated a good part of the time from my wonderful lady who has a home in another state, and I am living the life of a poor student with very little spare money. But with all that, I am living my dream, which is more than many people can say.

I should probably add that I had around 90 credit hours from the old days which I was able to apply to my current requirements. I don't have to bother with the basic freshman classes like english and political science because I already have those. However I am now in a completely different major, so I need to fill all those requirements (about 2 years). It's do-able.

Here are the two biggest problems facing me right now. After May, I will have no health insurance. Right now I am covered under a domestic partner policy, but that will end on June 1st. The cheapest policy I can get in my state is about $340 a month, with a very high deductible, high copays, and no prescription coverage. That was 6 months ago. I'm sure the premium is higher now. Having to pay this premium would just about end my schooling, for sure. I am healthy, and I have rarely had to go to a doctor. The problem is that I am now getting older, and the risk of something going wrong is getting higher.

The second problem is that I am borrowing money to be here. I estimate my debt, when I get out, will be about the cost of a nice, new car. I figure this cost is at the high end of being manageable, and it certainly wouldn't be a problem if I was 25 and had an entire career to pay it off. The problem is that I am 56 now, and I'll be about 58 when I graduate.

So I have 2 major risks. One is health care, and the other is the responsibility of debt when I get out. I don't want the debt collectors to come after me in "the home". The decision facing me now is, should I continue on? or should I be content with the experience I've had and go back to a life of work and safety?

So here is my question to you. Would you take on this type of risk to achieve a lifelong dream? I made the decision to do this when a good friend of mine was killed in a car accident. It made me realize that you only live once, and I decided to go for it. I am curious, what would you do?

Best regards to everyone,
Wolfcamp

[gfofbiguy]

I definitely would and congratulations to you on actually setting forth to grab your dreams!

Regarding the healthcare/insurance issue, a lot of universities offer free or low cost healthcare in an on-campus clinic as well as low cost health insurance to students, so you may want to check that out - when I was in college, I worked for the student government and they may be a good resource to find out what's available to you as a student.

Are you in school full time? Are you working at all? If you are still working some, you may even want to see if your employer will help with the costs of your schooling...I was able to get some free schooling when I worked with a bank, as long as my classes were bank/financially-related and I kept my GPA at 3.5 or above.

Good luck to you!

[wolfcamp]

I definitely would and congratulations to you on actually setting forth to grab your dreams!

Regarding the healthcare/insurance issue, a lot of universities offer free or low cost healthcare in an on-campus clinic as well as low cost health insurance to students, so you may want to check that out - when I was in college, I worked for the student government and they may be a good resource to find out what's available to you as a student.

The student insurance programs that I have investigated have an age limit of 30. I had a long talk with the head of the student insurance program. There was nothing that really fit someone in my position. I think it may have to do with the state you live in. This state isn't very progressive. The only real advantage I have here is that the tuition is very cheap.



Are you in school full time? Are you working at all? If you are still working some, you may even want to see if your employer will help with the costs of your schooling...I was able to get some free schooling when I worked with a bank, as long as my classes were bank/financially-related and I kept my GPA at 3.5 or above.

Good luck to you!

I worked last summer as a custodian in the dorms while trying to take classes at the same time. We cleaned dorm rooms after the kids had moved out. I don't mind hard work, but that was too much for me. I was exhausted and it affected my grades. I didn't want to quit, but I just couldn't do it. I just started a part time job working at the university owned golf course. No benefits, just $7.50 an hour. (and free golfing, but I'm not much of a golfer :tong: )

[gfofbiguy]

Well, hmmmm, even if you can't purchase the student health insurance, are you able/"allowed" to use the student health clinic, since you are a student?

(I don't blame you about the custodial job - I know I wouldn't be able to do that and keep up my grades!) I've been fortunate when I was attending school to either not work at all or only work part-time jobs and a lot of those were ones where I could still study during down-times. At least working on the golf course should be fun, even if you don't golf, and it gets you outside:)

[shameless agitator]

Would you take on this type of risk to achieve a lifelong dream? I made the decision to do this when a good friend of mine was killed in a car accident. It made me realize that you only live once, and I decided to go for it. I am curious, what would you do?

Best regards to everyone,
WolfcampI think you answered your own question right there. If this is your dream, then absolutely I would pursue it. For what it's worth, I'm looking to do the same thing. Just trying to figure out if I have the cajones to pull off a double major. Thinking Poli-Sci & Marketing. I admire the courage it takes for you to take such a big step at a point in life where most people are content to just settle into their ruts.

[bigirl_inwv]

Being a college student myself, I can relate to your problems...the biggest difference we have is age.

Between my husband and myself, we've accumulated a nice amount of school related debt. To the tune of about 60,000 dollars. That's with me still having 3 years of undergrad to complete. Right now, neither of us have health insurance. So we've been discussing this same problem recently.

The solution that we have come to is this... I plan on taking out extra money in student loans to compensate for payments made towards insurance. I'll pay for this in the long run...but if something should happen to myself or my husband...I think it would be well worth it.

Another thing to look into...consolidating all of your student loans after graduation. You usually have about 6 months before you have to start making payments as well as a certain amount of months that you can defer payments in times of financial hardship. Our payments are around 270 a month. Obviously...it's like any other kind of loan...if you pay more than the minimum monthly, it's cheaper in the end and gets paid off faster. It's not the fastest way to pay off debt...but it's easier than going without much needed health insurance and trying to pay multiple hundred dollar loan payments.

[Cherokee_Mountaincat]

Dear Wolf;
I Did go on and realize a long held dearm. I went back to school at age 38, and I was in 7th heaven. I got to realize a goal that I had held ever since I got married at 17. I had to abandon my dream of being the first person in my immediate family to go to college, and I did it!
I also know that if you talk to your college counsilor, he/she could give you some information on Student Insurance and student health care. Its well worth checking into. Also, ask them about mentoring jobs or mobility aide jobs that work with your schedule, and that pays you to help fellow students. Its a way to make a little income to help ease the stress of Being a starving student, and helps get you some do-able health care at the same time. Check it out Hon. It couldnt hurt.
And Never, ever lose your dream. If you do, you'll think What if, for the rest of your life. If I could do it, (An old gal coming from the Rez to get a degree in Sociology and working with the VA for 15 years) then can You do it.
Good luck and work hard Sweetie.
Kisses,
Cat

[the sacred night]

The school might offer you some amount of free healthcare for being a full-time student; mine does. Also, if they don't, you might consider going to school part time so your bills are lower and you can work more to pay them. I'd hate to see money be the reason someone can't live their dream.

[jem_is_bi]

I was fortunate to go to undergrad college when it was almost free ($1000/year full time as student, 16 or more credits/term, $300/ 10 days at Christmas, vacation in Bahama Islands with hundreds of other students, half very,very friendly female students). In graduate school, I had research/teaching positions that paid for school plus enough to live on and buy a new car. (My share of rent $15/mo., gas $0.20/per gallon, chicken $0.19 per lb. Salvation Army Store for TV $45, toaster $3, etc.)
I wish it were the same for you as it was for me. With better educated people, the United States would be much better positioned for competition with the world . But, completely independent of the cost, what count is your efforts in gaining knowledge and applying it for your maximal benefit. As a fellow citizen, your success is our success. For health insurance, use the university for little stuff. But find some sort of medical disaster insurance (like if bills are more than $25000 - $50,000) this may be easier to do at an affordable cost because disaster so is unlikely.

[ambi53mm]

So here is my question to you. Would you take on this type of risk to achieve a lifelong dream? I made the decision to do this when a good friend of mine was killed in a car accident. It made me realize that you only live once, and I decided to go for it. I am curious, what would you do?

Wolfcamp

Wolf….to attempt to pursue a lifelong dream at any age takes courage and, I think that your friend’s death may have been a reminder that everyday contains a certain amount of risk. I would probably not worry about the debt or the chance that you might get caught without medical insurance because, lifelong dreams are worth that risk…As the old saying goes……”It’s not the destination but the journey that matters.” That it feels right within is what really you really have to assess…Why this dream and why now?…Whether you decide to stay or go…I celebrate your growth :)

Ambi:)

[csrakate]

The problem is that I am 56 now, and I'll be about 58 when I graduate.

Yes...you'll be 58 when you graduate, but you'll be a 58 year old college graduate who fulfilled a lifelong dream...something that many of us let pass us by! I am sitting at a cross roads myself...having a college degree but devoting the last 23 years of my life to raising my kids and letting any career dreams go by the wayside. You have inspired me that it's never too late to change...never to late to go for what you dream of. I admire your courage and I wish you luck in your journey!!

Hugs,
Kate

[Bluebiyou]

You asked.
Wolf, go for it.
There's no point of my life I'd trade away the hope of a brighter tomorrow.
I'm already a college graduate, so living this particular dream is not quite the same but I do have my dreams.
Part of my college experience was throwing caution to the wind and focusing on a single goal... okay... and drinking a lot of beer.
...just stay away from the damn beer and drugs the rest of the kids are doing...
You ARE taking a clear risk...
No advise is certain...
but unless you expect health problems...
simply say "F*** IT! I'm doin' it!". If you leave, there will be certain death - of a certain part of you. If you stay, you will probably live. (yes, there are several metaphors hidden in previous statement).
You would be well advised to eat well (the college starvation diet would do wonders for me now), manage stress, exercise, moderation...
Play to win, Wolf, play to win.
"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"
(even though Farragut was a damned Yankee... and that was the battle of my beloved Mobile Bay) :)
Good luck and very best wishes.
Blue

[*pan*]

So here is my question to you. Would you take on this type of risk to achieve a lifelong dream? I made the decision to do this when a good friend of mine was killed in a car accident. It made me realize that you only live once, and I decided to go for it. I am curious, what would you do?

always try to fulfill your dreams, thoes that can are fortunate, thoes that can't can at least have the knowledge knowing they tried but if you didn't try you would only hate your self later in life.

[HighEnergy]

Most definitely go with the chance to live your dreams. You already know that, you just need the reassurance you know we'll give you. Giving up on your dreams will kill your spirit. So you'll have an extra loan payment, you'll be in a better position to pay it with an education. Plus, there is no price you can put on your self esteem.

As for insurance, I looked into buying insurance for myself after I got divorced. I was also told certain numbers that I thought I could afford, and then they outright denied me. Once you have a denial, you can even apply for insurance for 1 year. It's a crazy system. The good news is, I'm healthier post divorce because I'm happier. You will probably be the same since you're going for your dream.

But did you know that Starbucks and Trader Joes give health insurance to part time employees? You might look for companies that do that in your area. Or marry your lady so you can be on her insurance. Or vote health care in the next election. But don't give up your dream!

[wolfcamp]

It's heartening to know that everyone who responded said to go for it. Thanks for your great support everyone.

My main purpose for starting this post was to stimulate some thought on what it takes to follow your dreams, or not. I was evaluating my own situation, looking at the things that could stop me, if I let them, and I wondered what other people's thoughts would be. I wondered how many dreams are just simmering out there, and what was stopping you from going for them.

I didn't mean to sound like a whiner. That wasn't my intention, and I'll deal with my issues one way or another. I do want to draw attention to the deplorable health care situation. The lack of health care can be a dream buster, a dream killer. There were some threads a while back where it was stated that paying for universal health care would steal away our freedoms. I keep coming back to the same thought, which is how free are we when something like affordable health care keeps us from following our dreams.

I thought you all brought up some good thoughts and advice. I liked the ambi's comment that life is a journey. I sometimes feel like I'm careening down a mountain road, bouncing off the guard rails, veering recklessly into the other lane, and trying to keep from flying off the precipitous cliff. :eek: But, man, what a rush! :bigrin:

Shameless Agitator, YOU should go for it. bigirl_inwv, you sound like you have a good handle on things. And, Kate, you are right. When I'm 58, I'll be 58 with or without a degree. It might as well be with, right? And Blue, um, beer, right.

[HighEnergy]

Nah Wolfie, you didn't sound like you were whining. You sounded like someone needing reassurance, especially when the logical folks around you are wondering if you've thought it all through. Fuck 'em. I say go for it while you can! And you can always tell the grandkids that you never gave up!

Wishing you all the best in your journey!

[onewhocares]

Dear Wolfy....

NEVER let your dreams and aspirations go unnurtured and unrealized. NEVER let anyone try and deter you from achieving what YOU want to make of your life. So many of us forget about the dreams that we have at the back of our minds...somehow life can get in the way. But it is never too late to start back on the path to making your dream of college a reality. Will there be obstacles? Yes, without a doubt, but part of learning, be it in a college setting or not, is to see beyond today and know in your heart where you want to be tomorrow.

We did something scary ourselves....built a home after living in a manufactured home for 15 years to save. Guess what.....we will be 76 when the mortgage is paid off. It was hard to do it at our age but our goal was to be able to have something for our daughter. I remind myself of that on the first of each month when the mortgage is due....oops it is today.

Live Life, Follow Your Dream My Friend