How to start over at 31?

[sduego]

My college degree is worthless and my GPA is sub 3. I’ve spent the past 10 years going through the motions, quitting or getting fired from various jobs. Deep down I am not happy with the direction of things. I want to go back to school and get a degree that I can be proud of and actually put to use. I haven’t had focus in the past 10 years as I’ve been dealing with anxiety and confidence issues. I still am but at least I’m aware of that now. I’m also stressed because I don’t make much money and grad school seems like a pipe dream due to my finances and poor gpa. Is it even possible? I just want to start over.


I have no kids or responsibilities. So it’s possible I guess

[BDSMBBW]

You are just looking at the negative side of things.

definitely hitting a critical stage in your life, And its time for you to start going out of your comfort zone and start taking some risks.

either start and do it now, or you're never gonna do it. You got nothing to lose anyway.

You're definitely not academically gifted, so forget that path. (idk i wouldn't recommend anyway, most of the skills you can learn for free online nowadays.)

You've worked a dozen different jobs, Re-visit these industries and analyze why you left them. Was it because you were lazy or was it because you didn't see a future in it?


Regarding anxiety and confidence issues - start meditating , You are neurotic because you are not conscientiousness and you don't have any goals . Start setting small goals and make solid plans on accomplishing them.

[sduego]

You are just looking at the negative side of things.

definitely hitting a critical stage in your life, And its time for you to start going out of your comfort zone and start taking some risks.

either start and do it now, or you're never gonna do it. You got nothing to lose anyway.

You're definitely not academically gifted, so forget that path. (idk i wouldn't recommend anyway, most of the skills you can learn for free online nowadays.)

You've worked a dozen different jobs, Re-visit these industries and analyze why you left them. Was it because you were lazy or was it because you didn't see a future in it?


Regarding anxiety and confidence issues - start meditating , You are neurotic because you are not conscientiousness and you don't have any goals . Start setting small goals and make solid plans on accomplishing them.

I had anxiety issues since high school so I didn’t perform that well in college. I was a great student until middle school when anxiety took over. I know I am capable of higher learning I just want a chance

[Visel]

Agree with BDSMBBW on most of what he said. I wouldn't completely go as far as to outright label you as "not academically gifted", and to forget it though lol, little extreme. OP said it himself that anxiety had interfered and hindered his work. Perhaps something like ********/***** or even medical 420 could take you a long way, and if you don't like the idea of medical interference perhaps something like a therapist, or even a mentor.

What I do agree with from BDSMBBW is that OP is focusing on the negatives, needs to act (albeit, strategically) rather than develop paralysis of the analysis. OP needs to come up with a big picture goal or 2, and once that's been fully decided on, create a bunch of small picture goals that lead towards accomplishing the overarching big picture goal.

Example:

Big Picture Goal: Get a salaried position in IT

Small Picture Goals:

- Re-enroll in college (includes picking a school, picking a major, talking to academic advisors, understanding what courses you do and don't need based on prior education for curriculum)

- Get through each Semester

- Acquire a relevant certification or 2 prior to graduation

- During the final 2 Semesters, you're already on a roll, get yourself a part time IT job or internship, potentially on campus if possible

As you're knocking out the smaller goals you're solidifying emotionally and mentally that you're succeeding, you're devoted towards the path you've put forth, and confidence builds up, to the point where anxiety might still exist but is instead harnessed to get things done on time, knowing the in's and out's of the material, dotting i's / crossing t's, more time spent at the office hours with your professors/advisors, etc.

You're 31 so I don't gotta tell you this, but your world can completely turn around for the better or worse, intentionally or unintentionally, and while that might be paralyzing if you obsess over it, it's life, and you gotta just let the wind carry you a bit... ride the tide, but only after you've charted course.

[HayZues Christi]

What about your internet sleuthing abilities? You're pretty good at using 4chan to uncover the greatest conspiracies in human history.


Just think, a life time loser like you is somehow at the center of the biggest political story ever. Its almost unbelievable . Like you're so desperate to belong to something that you fell victim to a cult or something. But we know that can't be it... no. Definitely reptilian Pete ohs trying to take your guns.

[Hoop_Dreams]

Look into grad school. Depending on what the field is, they may not care about your GPA or even require you to take the GRE.

Don't feel bad about having a useless bachelor's. A lot of people get useless undergrads because they know a lot of grad programs don't care what your undergrad is in.

[JuicedMayhem]

The Great Reset is about to wreck everyone’s ass that’s all I know

[paulinkansas]

I haven’t had focus in the past 10 years

I thought that said "I haven’t had tacos in the past 10 years". I guess I can't focus.

[Harry362]

Do you have a Bachelors degree? Do an accelerated Bachelors to BSN in Nursing degree you can do it in like 12 months. You can make a lot of money and have a great quality of life

[FrankCostanza]

i dont know how if this works but can you retake classes you fuked up in to boost that gpa or is that not possible post grade? idk i only spent a little time in college.

[lordpatrick]

My college degree is worthless and my GPA is sub 3. I’ve spent the past 10 years going through the motions, quitting or getting fired from various jobs. Deep down I am not happy with the direction of things. I want to go back to school and get a degree that I can be proud of and actually put to use. I haven’t had focus in the past 10 years as I’ve been dealing with anxiety and confidence issues. I still am but at least I’m aware of that now. I’m also stressed because I don’t make much money and grad school seems like a pipe dream due to my finances and poor gpa. Is it even possible? I just want to start over.


I have no kids or responsibilities. So it’s possible I guess

Pointless in wasting your years doing academy honestly. Take it from a guy who has a college degree, it doesn't really help much with your career as you learn more while working.
Granted, the degree offers your accessibility, but do you really want to wage cuck 9-5 ?

While I was unemployed after covid, I self taught myself some web programming and used that to make a business. Guess what, it worked and made me way more than my salary.

There's a **** ton of opportunity to make money out there, you just got to find what suits you best, learn it and go for it.

[bongowongo]

Saying you're not academically gifted or that you have anxiety etc is a crutch. Anxiety can be overcome and with the right support system/self help you can reduce it or learn to cope with it. Same for academics, unless you have some legit learning disability then I will say you're not working hard enough. I was a pretty average and mediocre student in high school, but in college my current gpa is 3.89, because I'm actually going to the classes, learning, taking down notes and studying properly before examinations. The only issues I have is with math/calculations or anything to do with numbers because I have a legit disability (lol srs) and despite many 1-on-1 tutors sessions, I still cant grasp simple calculations/math.

Also make friends with the right people, aka studious, hard working and not the people who blow off classes/assignments. They will be a massive boon to your academics.


If you dont want to go down the academic route, do what other people are saying. The only thing that stops you is your mindset and outlook.

[_zman]

Saying you're not academically gifted or that you have anxiety etc is a crutch. Anxiety can be overcome and with the right support system/self help you can reduce it or learn to cope with it. Same for academics, unless you have some legit learning disability then I will say you're not working hard enough. I was a pretty average and mediocre student in high school, but in college my current gpa is 3.89, because I'm actually going to the classes, learning, taking down notes and studying properly before examinations. The only issues I have is with math/calculations or anything to do with numbers because I have a legit disability (lol srs) and despite many 1-on-1 tutors sessions, I still cant grasp simple calculations/math.

Also make friends with the right people, aka studious, hard working and not the people who blow off classes/assignments. They will be a massive boon to your academics.


If you dont want to go down the academic route, do what other people are saying. The only thing that stops you is your mindset and outlook.

Couldn't agree with this more.

I went back to college at 29 and got a good degree by 31. You have your generals done, you could consider a 2nd Bachelor's or go straight to MBA or Masters since a lot of good jobs require one. Just pick one, stick with it and do whatever you can to keep the drive high. You'll be better off with either decision.

Since my Bachelor's, I landed 3 different jobs I wouldn't have been considered for without the degree.

[Jasonw1178]

31 is not old in a total lifelong aspect. You still have what, 30+ years until retirement. You want to spend that miserable? You probably don't need to take a full 4 years to get something better started but in 4 years if you don't you will look back and wonder why you didn't. Mid 30's is where I started to come to terms that "I'm doing something wrong" and made some changes, glad I did. Might be making more. It's all about growth brah, just go for it.

[pojo18]

What's your degree in?

Look into grad school if you can advance meaningfully in a career path with a higher degree in your current area of study.

OR

do a 180 and go another direction. You can become an RN in like 2 years at a community college. My girlfriend did this and is making $55k while still in school pursuing her BSN.

get some industry standard IT certs and go the tech route.

It may not feel like it, but 31 is still young. you can completely change your life before 35 and be looking back at this point in your life with nostalgia by 40.

[JustBulk]

We all gonna make it brah. All the best.

[Johnez]

You're at the edge of "too late" dude, but definitely can turn chit around. What's your status right now? General location? In debt or have assets? Interests, specialties?

I know high school dropouts making some coin right now, in the pandemic of all times. I would say take stock in your life. The things you've been doing automatically, are they worth doing? Check out minimalism. Even if you don't have a lot of crap or think you know about it, check it out. It's about taking control of your stuff obviously, but also finances, decisions, and life overall. You sound like life is just happening to you, minimalism fights all that. You make decisions on everything. What is worth keeping? What is dragging me down? What will make my life better? You gain a sense of awareness that carries into everything. You become aware of the time, space, money, and mental energy you are wasting and it becomes a challenge to put everything to better use. I know I'm building it up, but heck this stuff kinda opens your mind.

[TheIronAsylum]

its all over bud who cares

[Techriding101]

pick a skill you want to learn

learn it

Don't ask yourself this question next year.

[xMenace]

This post is relatable as I am going back to school myself at 32 years old...... I have a decent job but hate it and am going the nursing route myself. By the time I graduate I will be 36-37 as I am balacing a full time job. I will be old as fukk but need to make changes.....wish the best for you.

[DubV]

Never too late, brah. I didn't get "real" job/career until I was 29. Was stuck living paycheck to paycheck years before that.

[bananastand11]

This post is relatable as I am going back to school myself at 32 years old...... I have a decent job but hate it and am going the nursing route myself. By the time I graduate I will be 36-37 as I am balacing a full time job. I will be old as fukk but need to make changes.....wish the best for you.

In the same boat bro..

Went the military route directly after high school. F'd my arm and med discharged 2 years later and have just held down varying office jobs since then.

About to turn 33 and debating whether I can pull off part time study (have never studied since high school 15 years ago.. it is scaring the sh*T out of me to think I will be working full time and studying on top of that for the next 4-6 years or however long a f*cking distance degree takes)

[_zman]

In the same boat bro..

Went the military route directly after high school. F'd my arm and med discharged 2 years later and have just held down varying office jobs since then.

About to turn 33 and debating whether I can pull off part time study (have never studied since high school 15 years ago.. it is scaring the sh*T out of me to think I will be working full time and studying on top of that for the next 4-6 years or however long a f*cking distance degree takes)

Did you end up with the GI Bill?

[dyee4613]

pick a skill you want to learn

learn it

Don't ask yourself this question next year.

This. It isn't easy but you need to spend some time soul searching and figuring out what you want to do. From there, it's just a matter of spending the time to gain competency at it. The sadness you're feeling isn't because you're not accomplishing much it's because you don't have anything to work towards. It will suck at the start but if it is something you really want to do/learn spending the time won't be that bad.

[BronsonStorm]

I was 30 years old been stuck in the same job for four years which didn't have much prospect of promotion, my degree was History & Politics so wasn't very useful for job prospects.

Had a career change into Project Management and now its four years later and my salary is more than doubled from my old job.

The prospect of going back to school to put more money into another degree didn't appeal to me at all.

[elmanlet]

My college degree is worthless and my GPA is sub 3. I’ve spent the past 10 years going through the motions, quitting or getting fired from various jobs. Deep down I am not happy with the direction of things. I want to go back to school and get a degree that I can be proud of and actually put to use. I haven’t had focus in the past 10 years as I’ve been dealing with anxiety and confidence issues. I still am but at least I’m aware of that now. I’m also stressed because I don’t make much money and grad school seems like a pipe dream due to my finances and poor gpa. Is it even possible? I just want to start over.


I have no kids or responsibilities. So it’s possible I guess

In for answers. I am on the exact same boat. Same age and with a worthless degree in BS Management. Have only ever managed to work labor jobs and can't seem to get any administrative or white collar work. At the same time, I am not too sure I want to do that type of work.

[Babyrhino97]

Bitcoin bro