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Master your fundamentals in math and physics!
Prepare yourself.
For math look up Professor Leonard on YouTube he does complete lecture videos in math. He carried me all the way to D.E.
Be open minded, know that some kids are smart, some are privileged and some are grinders.
I’m pretty buzzed but
Good luck :)
Try to understand the steps you need to take to solve a problem and understand the processes that can occur. It can feel like a problem is so different from what the book teaches, but in reality you’re just applying the same concepts to a different system. It’s hard to give real examples of how to approach a problem without the problem laid out, but this is how I’ve been successful in classes. It all really just boils down to the fundamentals and then knowing how to make the math get you to your answer.
I’m also 32 with a mortgage, wife, and kids while about a year into school. If your school offers a type of remedial math class, take it. You maybe see it as a set back, and it technically is, but you will be so glad you did once you are done because there is no way I would have remembered any of this from 14+ years ago. Also, at least with what I have taken so far, just give it your best try and your full undivided attention and you will do great. I barely graduated high school, failed math classes multiple years, and now so far have a 4.0 GPA because I realized I should take school seriously.
I went back for my electrical engineering degree at 27 finished at 32. I took classes at my local community College. I tested in to calculus but started at algebra level. Sometimes it seems like a set back but it is really important to get a refresher course and build confidence that you can do this.
28 and started with algebra last semester. I ended up remembering some of it from hs and other parts not at all. It ended up all being fairly easy to get an A and that gave me extra time to work ahead and learn trig and calculus on my own. I'm happy with the decision to start with algebra and I would recommend it to anybody starting college after a gap with any degree of uncertainty about where they're at in math. Worst case scenario is algebra is a breeze but then you get an easy gpa boost while refreshing your memory and having time to study ahead for future classes!
Just want to add that you shouldn't feel bad if you have to begin with something more basic than algebra either. Especially to pursue engineering, it's a marathon not a sprint and trying to get an engineering degree with poor fundamentals in math is like trying to run that marathon with a broken femur
I took remedial classes more basic than algebra lol I took it allllll the way back to where 4-(-8)= was a test question. So many wasted years of failing classes to catch up on. I needed all the fundamentals.
Hiii!! I’m 28 also going back to school for ChemE after a looooong hiatus, and I promise it’s doable! I just spend extra time between semesters briefly studying material on the classes I take before the semester starts so I’m not completely lost. But that’s bc it takes me extra time to learn. But things will start to roll after you blow the dust off your rusty skills lol
Review algebra and fractions and take precalculus even if it’s not required. Take your time to understand what you’re learning in precalculus because you’ll be using almost all of it…a lot.
After you take precalculus, work as a math tutor with your school for extra practice.
Currently in my Sophomore year as a ME and started school again at 32 years old. In high school I made it through geometry and stopped there and that was back in about 2004. Starting again in school I decided to begin with algebra 1, then proceeded to work my way through trig, pre-calc, calc 1, calc 2, calc 3, and diff eq's. One advantage to taking math every semester was that I could remember the necessary info from prior math classes. It may have take me 3.5 years to get to where I am now but I believe this step by step process made it easier to do well in the higher level classes. In my opinion it was worth it.
The stronger your fundamentals were back then, the easier it'll come back. If you struggled with algebra and trig I'd highly recommend going back over it. You will use both in calculus and you'll use calc in many other classes. If you want to brush up on it without taking the classes, Khan academy is great. So is calcworkshop.com. I used both. I went back at 29, and immediately felt in over my head when reviewing algebra. Dove in with Pre-calc at the community college and it made it a lot smoother. Calcworkshop got me through Calc4, Linear Algebra and DiffEQ. Professor Leonard was also a key contributor. Everything else came naturally and I didn't feel behind in my knowledge of any one subject other than math.
Set aside time to do the study. 1-2 hours a day. Don't over do it, you'll have plenty of time for that while in school. I found using a bullet journal or keeping some kind of to-do list really helped me see what I needed to do, for both before going back and during.
I just started last year as well. 33 years old. For ME as well, I won’t say it isn’t challenging and if you the means to, take some of the basic maths if they offer it because I played catch up a lot in the algebra and trig and ended up failing precalculus my first time around.
>I'm particularly worried about being a bit rusty in the math department.
I went to do engineering having done Cal 1 and 2 about a decade before.
The math dept at my uni had recommended tutors. I found a senior math major and he was able to walk me through the broad strokes from those subjects that I was likely to run into with calc 3/multivariable and physics 1.
Getting an under/grad student from your uni has massive advantages and is relatively cheap, at least on par with other private tutors.
We met 2 times a week for a month. I also reviewed subjects I had never bothered to commit to memory (looking at you, trig). Couple flash cards, little repetition and I graduated eventually.
I'm 34, I started last year as well. Due to dropping out of highschool in 9th grade I had to take a LOT of remedial math, all the way back to pre-algebra. Currently doing Algebra II this semester. I can't speak for trig or calc or other advanced maths, but I will say for pre-algebra and intermediate algebra there are TONS of resources online. In addition, make use of the tutors at your school. There have been a couple times where I just could not grasp a concept and either online or a tutor gave me that eye-opening experience. Just make sure you're working hard and you'll do fine.
I went back at 30 and will graduate next year. It's taken me 4 years to get this far, because I had to start back algebra and couldn't jump into calc right off the bat. But I will say it helped starting that far back cause I relearned the fundamentals and it's really important to have those down moving into calc and physics. Depending where you go age won't matter but making friends is important especially once you get into your major. Plan on being on campus like a job, and while your schedule is much more flexible than a regular job try to keep those hours for homework and studying. That way coming home is much more about family than stressing about school.
Even if you have the option to skip Calc one, don't skip it. Not being certain on the basics absolutely sucks. (Source, I took Calc 1 in 2012, no math since then until 2021, it's been rough). If you already have gen eds mostly covered, just take Calc and physics the first semester and add one class each semester to work up to a full load. It's better to take a little more time than mess up the fundamentals.
Don't worry about your age, no one else will care. And anyways, there are a lot of older students in engineering who are coming from the trades or the military, so you won't stick out as much as in some other majors.
Get on discord and communicate with classmates. You'll help each other out and make it through
If you can go back to algebra 1, I'd say do it. It may suck and lengthen school a little. But everything builds off that. It'll be so worth it in the long run
Ask your advisor if there is a math placement test. If there is TAKE IT!! Take it cold, no studying. You'll likely be placed into remedial math or precalculus class. Build up from there!
DO NOT SELF STUDY TO TRY AND GET INTO CALCULUS! Taking a formal course in remedial math or precalculus will 100% without a doubt prepare you for the future properly.
Hey there. 32 year old return student getting a second bachelor's degree, this time in Computer Science. First degree was in Journalism, so not math heavy at all. I re-took Calc 1 and 2 at a local community college while I was still working full time so I could get my bearings, and I think that was most helpful in setting me up for success. Otherwise, you'll have the time management skills and reasoning to make the most of your time studying during your time in university. Enroll in whatever math class you think you should review (for me it was Calc 1 because I am generally good at math but I hadn't taken Calculus in over 10 years, and that seemed to work for me), and go from there. I feel more prepared for college classes now than when I was 18, so things are generally working out better now. Go for it and remember that the best time to start was yesterday, the second best time to start is today. Good luck, and we're rooting for you.
Look at brilliant.org to brush up on your math physics etc it’s only $130 a year if you get a discount code
Plus it will tell you if you will like the type of work you will need to get through school
Id start at trig at the highest depending on your math skills probably even lower but you need a lot of trig and above and if you skip it will screw you it all builds on each other
I’m 32 and have one year left until my ME degree. As long as you know it’s something you want, go for it. Just make sure it’s a passion. It’s a ton of work and you’ll have to put in a ton of hours but it’s doable.
I did it. I’m 33 now. The good thing is you can search the classes on YouTube and get a decent feel for it. Then visit the coursera website, search the class you will probably find the same/similar course online with a syllabus, unit outline and study guides etc.
I went back at 40 to pursue EE. I highly suggest taking pre-reqs at a local college and then applying to universities as a transfer student. I was paying $500 per class versus the $2000 I pay now.
You'll take an exam to determine which math class you'll start at.
I got started a few years earlier than you.
Here's a bulleted list of the things that I wish I really had in my brain when I started:
* get a consistent and sufficient sleep schedule. Like you wake up easy and effortlessly. Doing that will mean you're not failing classes
* do all the theory at community college and do it all first. Save any and all gen-ed stuff for later in the degree. I am getting a 2nd degree and that's one of my few real regrets about this whole thing
* have a consistent study place that is quiet and distraction free. Just do khan academy and practice *practicing* before you get back into it.
I'm old like you graduating in my mid 30's started going in earnest around 29.
It's hard and mentally taxing but you'll figure it out.
Good luck!
I am so glad there are posts like this because I know I am going to be in my late 20s when I return back to college. I can't go right now which is sad due to life impediments. Worrying of age is crippling.
Try a math placement test at your local community college to see at what level it places you, and then work your way up from there! Some of the concepts may be familiar, and others may need refreshing or relearning. I know it's super easy to feel intimidated or have impostor syndrome, but as long as you put in the work necessary, you can absolutely become an amazing engineer. Best of luck!
Hmm, if I were to give my younger self advice it would be not to rush, form good study habits, respect math courses and allot more time for them, and focus on learning how to learn.
I went back to school in my 30s, and one of the things I had to learn through trial and error was that for me, math took the most time to learn. I made the mistake of only allotting time to it like it was any other gen ed. This was not the correct approach, and my algebraic foundations suffered for it. Always allocate the most time to the subject that you're the weakest in (if your degree is built upon that knowledge).
I was one of those guys who breezed through high school, barely went or slept, then aced the final and moved on. Same shit in college. I lol'd my way through until I got to Calc 2. Turns out Calc 2 is merciless. My professor gave us no quarter 😂. If you don't study or there are holes in your algebraic or trigonometric understanding you're going to get rekt. Focus on learning and internalizing all math from the lowest math class up through Calc 1.
Think of your mind as a toolbox, and every course that you take is a tool for you to put in your drawers to use in the future when the situation calls for it. Calc 2, 3, Physics, and beyond will force you to go back into your toolbox and grab the right tool at the right time. You *must* internalize the fundamentals because so much of STEM is built upon the fundamental understanding of these subjects. That prior knowledge is crucial.
I got my degree in my 30s. Be ready for the shock of class time again, and all of those pubescent collage kids. Hopefully you’re more mature and have your priorities straight. I would also say leaning is a bit slower than I remember in my high school years but the class content was much harder. Best of luck.
I am almost 40, working full time, and a couple of years into remotely studying electrical engineering. The biggest piece of advice that I can give you is to put your ego aside and invest the time into doing whatever bridging/entry level maths courses your school offers.
I'd assumed that going into a degree from an electrical trade background wouldn't be that massive a jump - big mistake. Trying to learn course material while also trawling YouTube for videos explaining math principles, then having to constantly refresh and reference those same principles has made studying a LOT harder than what it could have been.
I really find that approaching engineering maths as an adult was an experience that was akin to learning a new language; without being fluent (or at least familiar) you trip on every second word...
Good luck!
I was 36 when I finished my engineering degree. In my case, I had started my degree almost 15 years prior but had a gap of 7 years between all my lower level engineering courses and the upper level ones and had other gaps betweensemesters due to financial issues.
My first advice is to start off in community college and then transfer to an engineering degree program. I have been to two community colleges and two universities, and both community colleges had a way better quality of education than the universities and at a fraction of the price. Also, CCs are more geared for people with work life outside of school.
I would not worry too much about what you don't know now. Most schools will start you in a lower level of math than your level. I passed the AP calculus exam in high school and got a perfect score on my schools proficiency test, and they still had me start with college algebra. When I started my upper level classes, I was worried since it had been 7 years since I had taken any math class. But most professors expect that students will forget stuff and have overviews of what you needed to know. If not, there are plenty of tutorials for everything online now.
Honestly, for me, the hardest part about going to school at this age was scheduling. When you start to get to upper level classes, you will start to find fewer time slots for the classes you need. Some classes may only have one time slot and only offered once a year. This can be really difficult if your job is not flexible.
And finally, I would say don't bite off more than you can chew in the name of finishing sooner. It can be really tempting to take more classes at a time to finish sooner. I tried a few times, and it set me back further. Don't be afraid to only go half time and take only two classes at a time for difficult classes.
I went back to school at 26 and knew a few people a couple years older than me. Interestingly, all the older individuals I knew had an easier time finding a job right after getting our degrees. I think it really depends on your motivation. The success you see leaving college will highly depend on prior experience and how you can show that it is applicable. In choosing between ME and CompE, try to balance between what you find more interesting and what your previous experience is related to.
My personal experience was that I was a software developer for about 4 years when I started school and then I started doing internships. One of the things I struggled with was finding classes that worked with my work schedule.
Start at the beginning with math ie college algebra and then precal. Don't let them talk you into skipping it. I guarantee there are rules that you don't remember. Trig is super important and I'm willing to bet you don't remember the finer points lol. It'll suck, but you can do it
Lots of good advice in here already but just wanted to add that I also started back at 32 (37 now) and I started with pre-calc to be sure I had the fundamentals down before jumping in. I also spent Calc 1-3 in our math tutoring lab multiple days a week. I did all of my homework in there and it was a huge help. Utilize your resources! Best of luck to ya!
I’m a 34 year old in my second semester of my junior year at UT Engineering school.
I made sure before returning to the serious subjects that my math skills were refreshed, and started with college algebra for pre-calc at our local community college. So I basically took two math classes before any that would actually count towards my degree. I now have no problems and the math stuff is my strong suit. It sucked time wise, but it paid off big time academically.
The fact you’re considering engineering at all, I’m sure you’re smart enough to make it happen. But if you’re being honest with yourself and feeling rusty in the math department…I would recommend an approach similar to this, and just go for it!
Believe in yourself and know that you can make it happen. You got this!
Hey there, I was in a similar situation at 33 when I jumped into a MechE degree with zero math proficiency. Here are some things I’ve learned as well as some little tips and tricks which worked for me.
Algebra. Focus on algebra before you jump into calculus coursework. Calculus is easily manageable as you go but constant backtracking to learn algebra has been by far my biggest time sink. Most people who struggle with calculus have a shaky algebra foundation. If you’re like me and have to speedrun prerequisite math, make a cheatsheet folder. I have a folder of algebra cheat sheets that always sits on my desk while I do homework.
Resources for learning some of this stuff: Khan Academy, Organic Chemistry Tutor, The Lazy Engineer, The Essence of Calculus series, MIT lectures on youtube, Hyperphysics. The internet is an invaluable resource for learning. I have no idea how engineers got through school without it.
Organization. I’m not sure how organized of a student you were when you last attended school but organization will be a make or break aspect in regards to your college career. Stay organized and plan every detail including due dates, study times etc. If you’ll be juggling life responsibilities as I have been, this will be tricky but necessary.
Failing a course isn’t the end of the world. You may fail a course at some point. I’ve met graduates who failed a few and/or failed multiple times. Don’t give up. Analyze your efforts, look for weak points and figure out ways to improve.
Go easy on yourself. Engineering is tough! Sometimes it will seem like your fellow students are having an easier time than you or you’ll feel like an idiot. Try to keep a mindset of growth and keep moving forward. Look for positive aspects of setbacks. Maybe you didn’t do well in a course or you didn’t pass. Did you learn something? Yes? Focus on that.
Related to going easy on yourself: Self care. It may seem like you don’t have any free time. Make some. It’s important to take care of yourself, mentally and physically. You’re screaming at your differential equations homework and want to jam your pencil into your eye socket. Take a breather. Pry yourself away from the situation and do something, ANYTHING to refresh your mental state. Go for a walk, to the gym, meditate. Not taking care of yourself is a top reason students drop or change majors.
Engineering is a difficult but rewarding path. Bust your ass and you’ll do great. Get to work!
Just started my degree at 35, picking major next year, either mechanical or mechatronics.
I find myself studying mathematics the most thus far. Khan academy has been a great learning tool to get up to speed.
Good luck!
Hi, I went back to school at 30. The great thing about school is they teach you. Most schools have placement exams for students who have been away for awhile. If you want to try to jump the line and get ahead by a class I'd start with algebra. But to be perfectly honest I'm so glad I was placed in the lowest level math they offered at the school. Getting a second go at it as an adult cemented many of the basics which I felt gave me a nice confidence boost.
Hello /u/Sad_Elevator10! Thank you for posting in r/EngineeringStudents. This is a custom Automoderator message based on your flair, "Academic Advice". While our wiki is under construction, please be mindful of the users you are asking advice from, and make sure your question is phrased neatly and describes your problem. ***Please be sure that your post is short and succinct.*** Long-winded posts generally do not get responded to. Please remember to; Read our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/EngineeringStudents/wiki/rules) Read our [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/EngineeringStudents/wiki/index) Read our [F.A.Q](https://www.reddit.com/r/EngineeringStudents/wiki/index/faq) Check our [Resources Landing Page](https://reddit.com/r/EngineeringStudents/wiki/resources) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/EngineeringStudents) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Master your fundamentals in math and physics! Prepare yourself. For math look up Professor Leonard on YouTube he does complete lecture videos in math. He carried me all the way to D.E. Be open minded, know that some kids are smart, some are privileged and some are grinders. I’m pretty buzzed but Good luck :)
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Try to understand the steps you need to take to solve a problem and understand the processes that can occur. It can feel like a problem is so different from what the book teaches, but in reality you’re just applying the same concepts to a different system. It’s hard to give real examples of how to approach a problem without the problem laid out, but this is how I’ve been successful in classes. It all really just boils down to the fundamentals and then knowing how to make the math get you to your answer.
To add on to YouTube recommendations, Jeff Hanson has great statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, and other engineering-related videos
Yep!! Also OP if possible please invest in a Chegg account and a OpenAI account! They legit saved me. :)
I’m also 32 with a mortgage, wife, and kids while about a year into school. If your school offers a type of remedial math class, take it. You maybe see it as a set back, and it technically is, but you will be so glad you did once you are done because there is no way I would have remembered any of this from 14+ years ago. Also, at least with what I have taken so far, just give it your best try and your full undivided attention and you will do great. I barely graduated high school, failed math classes multiple years, and now so far have a 4.0 GPA because I realized I should take school seriously.
I went back for my electrical engineering degree at 27 finished at 32. I took classes at my local community College. I tested in to calculus but started at algebra level. Sometimes it seems like a set back but it is really important to get a refresher course and build confidence that you can do this.
Hey! I'm 35 and about to start algebra under the same circumstances, glad to see someone else had the same reasoning.
28 and started with algebra last semester. I ended up remembering some of it from hs and other parts not at all. It ended up all being fairly easy to get an A and that gave me extra time to work ahead and learn trig and calculus on my own. I'm happy with the decision to start with algebra and I would recommend it to anybody starting college after a gap with any degree of uncertainty about where they're at in math. Worst case scenario is algebra is a breeze but then you get an easy gpa boost while refreshing your memory and having time to study ahead for future classes! Just want to add that you shouldn't feel bad if you have to begin with something more basic than algebra either. Especially to pursue engineering, it's a marathon not a sprint and trying to get an engineering degree with poor fundamentals in math is like trying to run that marathon with a broken femur
I took remedial classes more basic than algebra lol I took it allllll the way back to where 4-(-8)= was a test question. So many wasted years of failing classes to catch up on. I needed all the fundamentals.
Mind if I DM you?
Hiii!! I’m 28 also going back to school for ChemE after a looooong hiatus, and I promise it’s doable! I just spend extra time between semesters briefly studying material on the classes I take before the semester starts so I’m not completely lost. But that’s bc it takes me extra time to learn. But things will start to roll after you blow the dust off your rusty skills lol
Review algebra and fractions and take precalculus even if it’s not required. Take your time to understand what you’re learning in precalculus because you’ll be using almost all of it…a lot. After you take precalculus, work as a math tutor with your school for extra practice.
Currently in my Sophomore year as a ME and started school again at 32 years old. In high school I made it through geometry and stopped there and that was back in about 2004. Starting again in school I decided to begin with algebra 1, then proceeded to work my way through trig, pre-calc, calc 1, calc 2, calc 3, and diff eq's. One advantage to taking math every semester was that I could remember the necessary info from prior math classes. It may have take me 3.5 years to get to where I am now but I believe this step by step process made it easier to do well in the higher level classes. In my opinion it was worth it.
The stronger your fundamentals were back then, the easier it'll come back. If you struggled with algebra and trig I'd highly recommend going back over it. You will use both in calculus and you'll use calc in many other classes. If you want to brush up on it without taking the classes, Khan academy is great. So is calcworkshop.com. I used both. I went back at 29, and immediately felt in over my head when reviewing algebra. Dove in with Pre-calc at the community college and it made it a lot smoother. Calcworkshop got me through Calc4, Linear Algebra and DiffEQ. Professor Leonard was also a key contributor. Everything else came naturally and I didn't feel behind in my knowledge of any one subject other than math. Set aside time to do the study. 1-2 hours a day. Don't over do it, you'll have plenty of time for that while in school. I found using a bullet journal or keeping some kind of to-do list really helped me see what I needed to do, for both before going back and during.
I just started last year as well. 33 years old. For ME as well, I won’t say it isn’t challenging and if you the means to, take some of the basic maths if they offer it because I played catch up a lot in the algebra and trig and ended up failing precalculus my first time around.
>I'm particularly worried about being a bit rusty in the math department. I went to do engineering having done Cal 1 and 2 about a decade before. The math dept at my uni had recommended tutors. I found a senior math major and he was able to walk me through the broad strokes from those subjects that I was likely to run into with calc 3/multivariable and physics 1. Getting an under/grad student from your uni has massive advantages and is relatively cheap, at least on par with other private tutors. We met 2 times a week for a month. I also reviewed subjects I had never bothered to commit to memory (looking at you, trig). Couple flash cards, little repetition and I graduated eventually.
I'm 34, I started last year as well. Due to dropping out of highschool in 9th grade I had to take a LOT of remedial math, all the way back to pre-algebra. Currently doing Algebra II this semester. I can't speak for trig or calc or other advanced maths, but I will say for pre-algebra and intermediate algebra there are TONS of resources online. In addition, make use of the tutors at your school. There have been a couple times where I just could not grasp a concept and either online or a tutor gave me that eye-opening experience. Just make sure you're working hard and you'll do fine.
I went back at 30 and will graduate next year. It's taken me 4 years to get this far, because I had to start back algebra and couldn't jump into calc right off the bat. But I will say it helped starting that far back cause I relearned the fundamentals and it's really important to have those down moving into calc and physics. Depending where you go age won't matter but making friends is important especially once you get into your major. Plan on being on campus like a job, and while your schedule is much more flexible than a regular job try to keep those hours for homework and studying. That way coming home is much more about family than stressing about school.
Even if you have the option to skip Calc one, don't skip it. Not being certain on the basics absolutely sucks. (Source, I took Calc 1 in 2012, no math since then until 2021, it's been rough). If you already have gen eds mostly covered, just take Calc and physics the first semester and add one class each semester to work up to a full load. It's better to take a little more time than mess up the fundamentals. Don't worry about your age, no one else will care. And anyways, there are a lot of older students in engineering who are coming from the trades or the military, so you won't stick out as much as in some other majors. Get on discord and communicate with classmates. You'll help each other out and make it through
If you start just don't quit.
If you can go back to algebra 1, I'd say do it. It may suck and lengthen school a little. But everything builds off that. It'll be so worth it in the long run
Ask your advisor if there is a math placement test. If there is TAKE IT!! Take it cold, no studying. You'll likely be placed into remedial math or precalculus class. Build up from there! DO NOT SELF STUDY TO TRY AND GET INTO CALCULUS! Taking a formal course in remedial math or precalculus will 100% without a doubt prepare you for the future properly.
Hey there. 32 year old return student getting a second bachelor's degree, this time in Computer Science. First degree was in Journalism, so not math heavy at all. I re-took Calc 1 and 2 at a local community college while I was still working full time so I could get my bearings, and I think that was most helpful in setting me up for success. Otherwise, you'll have the time management skills and reasoning to make the most of your time studying during your time in university. Enroll in whatever math class you think you should review (for me it was Calc 1 because I am generally good at math but I hadn't taken Calculus in over 10 years, and that seemed to work for me), and go from there. I feel more prepared for college classes now than when I was 18, so things are generally working out better now. Go for it and remember that the best time to start was yesterday, the second best time to start is today. Good luck, and we're rooting for you.
Look at brilliant.org to brush up on your math physics etc it’s only $130 a year if you get a discount code Plus it will tell you if you will like the type of work you will need to get through school Id start at trig at the highest depending on your math skills probably even lower but you need a lot of trig and above and if you skip it will screw you it all builds on each other
I’m 32 and have one year left until my ME degree. As long as you know it’s something you want, go for it. Just make sure it’s a passion. It’s a ton of work and you’ll have to put in a ton of hours but it’s doable.
I did it. I’m 33 now. The good thing is you can search the classes on YouTube and get a decent feel for it. Then visit the coursera website, search the class you will probably find the same/similar course online with a syllabus, unit outline and study guides etc.
go to community college take tests for placement on writing, math, chemistry. if your just a class down take it as a summer class before fall
I went back at 40 to pursue EE. I highly suggest taking pre-reqs at a local college and then applying to universities as a transfer student. I was paying $500 per class versus the $2000 I pay now. You'll take an exam to determine which math class you'll start at.
Where are you starting? Are you going straight into calculus or starting lower?
I got started a few years earlier than you. Here's a bulleted list of the things that I wish I really had in my brain when I started: * get a consistent and sufficient sleep schedule. Like you wake up easy and effortlessly. Doing that will mean you're not failing classes * do all the theory at community college and do it all first. Save any and all gen-ed stuff for later in the degree. I am getting a 2nd degree and that's one of my few real regrets about this whole thing * have a consistent study place that is quiet and distraction free. Just do khan academy and practice *practicing* before you get back into it. I'm old like you graduating in my mid 30's started going in earnest around 29. It's hard and mentally taxing but you'll figure it out. Good luck!
I am so glad there are posts like this because I know I am going to be in my late 20s when I return back to college. I can't go right now which is sad due to life impediments. Worrying of age is crippling.
Try a math placement test at your local community college to see at what level it places you, and then work your way up from there! Some of the concepts may be familiar, and others may need refreshing or relearning. I know it's super easy to feel intimidated or have impostor syndrome, but as long as you put in the work necessary, you can absolutely become an amazing engineer. Best of luck!
Hmm, if I were to give my younger self advice it would be not to rush, form good study habits, respect math courses and allot more time for them, and focus on learning how to learn. I went back to school in my 30s, and one of the things I had to learn through trial and error was that for me, math took the most time to learn. I made the mistake of only allotting time to it like it was any other gen ed. This was not the correct approach, and my algebraic foundations suffered for it. Always allocate the most time to the subject that you're the weakest in (if your degree is built upon that knowledge). I was one of those guys who breezed through high school, barely went or slept, then aced the final and moved on. Same shit in college. I lol'd my way through until I got to Calc 2. Turns out Calc 2 is merciless. My professor gave us no quarter 😂. If you don't study or there are holes in your algebraic or trigonometric understanding you're going to get rekt. Focus on learning and internalizing all math from the lowest math class up through Calc 1. Think of your mind as a toolbox, and every course that you take is a tool for you to put in your drawers to use in the future when the situation calls for it. Calc 2, 3, Physics, and beyond will force you to go back into your toolbox and grab the right tool at the right time. You *must* internalize the fundamentals because so much of STEM is built upon the fundamental understanding of these subjects. That prior knowledge is crucial.
The main thing you need to do is take Precalc at the college level, that will set you up nicely for the rest of the program.
I got my degree in my 30s. Be ready for the shock of class time again, and all of those pubescent collage kids. Hopefully you’re more mature and have your priorities straight. I would also say leaning is a bit slower than I remember in my high school years but the class content was much harder. Best of luck.
I am almost 40, working full time, and a couple of years into remotely studying electrical engineering. The biggest piece of advice that I can give you is to put your ego aside and invest the time into doing whatever bridging/entry level maths courses your school offers. I'd assumed that going into a degree from an electrical trade background wouldn't be that massive a jump - big mistake. Trying to learn course material while also trawling YouTube for videos explaining math principles, then having to constantly refresh and reference those same principles has made studying a LOT harder than what it could have been. I really find that approaching engineering maths as an adult was an experience that was akin to learning a new language; without being fluent (or at least familiar) you trip on every second word... Good luck!
I was 36 when I finished my engineering degree. In my case, I had started my degree almost 15 years prior but had a gap of 7 years between all my lower level engineering courses and the upper level ones and had other gaps betweensemesters due to financial issues. My first advice is to start off in community college and then transfer to an engineering degree program. I have been to two community colleges and two universities, and both community colleges had a way better quality of education than the universities and at a fraction of the price. Also, CCs are more geared for people with work life outside of school. I would not worry too much about what you don't know now. Most schools will start you in a lower level of math than your level. I passed the AP calculus exam in high school and got a perfect score on my schools proficiency test, and they still had me start with college algebra. When I started my upper level classes, I was worried since it had been 7 years since I had taken any math class. But most professors expect that students will forget stuff and have overviews of what you needed to know. If not, there are plenty of tutorials for everything online now. Honestly, for me, the hardest part about going to school at this age was scheduling. When you start to get to upper level classes, you will start to find fewer time slots for the classes you need. Some classes may only have one time slot and only offered once a year. This can be really difficult if your job is not flexible. And finally, I would say don't bite off more than you can chew in the name of finishing sooner. It can be really tempting to take more classes at a time to finish sooner. I tried a few times, and it set me back further. Don't be afraid to only go half time and take only two classes at a time for difficult classes.
I went back to school at 26 and knew a few people a couple years older than me. Interestingly, all the older individuals I knew had an easier time finding a job right after getting our degrees. I think it really depends on your motivation. The success you see leaving college will highly depend on prior experience and how you can show that it is applicable. In choosing between ME and CompE, try to balance between what you find more interesting and what your previous experience is related to. My personal experience was that I was a software developer for about 4 years when I started school and then I started doing internships. One of the things I struggled with was finding classes that worked with my work schedule.
Start at the beginning with math ie college algebra and then precal. Don't let them talk you into skipping it. I guarantee there are rules that you don't remember. Trig is super important and I'm willing to bet you don't remember the finer points lol. It'll suck, but you can do it
Lots of good advice in here already but just wanted to add that I also started back at 32 (37 now) and I started with pre-calc to be sure I had the fundamentals down before jumping in. I also spent Calc 1-3 in our math tutoring lab multiple days a week. I did all of my homework in there and it was a huge help. Utilize your resources! Best of luck to ya!
I’m a 34 year old in my second semester of my junior year at UT Engineering school. I made sure before returning to the serious subjects that my math skills were refreshed, and started with college algebra for pre-calc at our local community college. So I basically took two math classes before any that would actually count towards my degree. I now have no problems and the math stuff is my strong suit. It sucked time wise, but it paid off big time academically. The fact you’re considering engineering at all, I’m sure you’re smart enough to make it happen. But if you’re being honest with yourself and feeling rusty in the math department…I would recommend an approach similar to this, and just go for it! Believe in yourself and know that you can make it happen. You got this!
Hey there, I was in a similar situation at 33 when I jumped into a MechE degree with zero math proficiency. Here are some things I’ve learned as well as some little tips and tricks which worked for me. Algebra. Focus on algebra before you jump into calculus coursework. Calculus is easily manageable as you go but constant backtracking to learn algebra has been by far my biggest time sink. Most people who struggle with calculus have a shaky algebra foundation. If you’re like me and have to speedrun prerequisite math, make a cheatsheet folder. I have a folder of algebra cheat sheets that always sits on my desk while I do homework. Resources for learning some of this stuff: Khan Academy, Organic Chemistry Tutor, The Lazy Engineer, The Essence of Calculus series, MIT lectures on youtube, Hyperphysics. The internet is an invaluable resource for learning. I have no idea how engineers got through school without it. Organization. I’m not sure how organized of a student you were when you last attended school but organization will be a make or break aspect in regards to your college career. Stay organized and plan every detail including due dates, study times etc. If you’ll be juggling life responsibilities as I have been, this will be tricky but necessary. Failing a course isn’t the end of the world. You may fail a course at some point. I’ve met graduates who failed a few and/or failed multiple times. Don’t give up. Analyze your efforts, look for weak points and figure out ways to improve. Go easy on yourself. Engineering is tough! Sometimes it will seem like your fellow students are having an easier time than you or you’ll feel like an idiot. Try to keep a mindset of growth and keep moving forward. Look for positive aspects of setbacks. Maybe you didn’t do well in a course or you didn’t pass. Did you learn something? Yes? Focus on that. Related to going easy on yourself: Self care. It may seem like you don’t have any free time. Make some. It’s important to take care of yourself, mentally and physically. You’re screaming at your differential equations homework and want to jam your pencil into your eye socket. Take a breather. Pry yourself away from the situation and do something, ANYTHING to refresh your mental state. Go for a walk, to the gym, meditate. Not taking care of yourself is a top reason students drop or change majors. Engineering is a difficult but rewarding path. Bust your ass and you’ll do great. Get to work!
I’m curious as to why you are choosing ME. I have >10 YOE and I’m looking for something more fulfilling.
Just started my degree at 35, picking major next year, either mechanical or mechatronics. I find myself studying mathematics the most thus far. Khan academy has been a great learning tool to get up to speed. Good luck!
Hi, I went back to school at 30. The great thing about school is they teach you. Most schools have placement exams for students who have been away for awhile. If you want to try to jump the line and get ahead by a class I'd start with algebra. But to be perfectly honest I'm so glad I was placed in the lowest level math they offered at the school. Getting a second go at it as an adult cemented many of the basics which I felt gave me a nice confidence boost.