I'm almost 23 and I still haven't finished college yet, I am still in community college, should I be worried?

[Anonymous]

I'm 22, almost 23, I'm still in community college, my 5th year in Community College, year I know it's surprising, shocking that I am still in it, I graduated high school class of 2006. I've been in Community College since then, it's because for a while I slacked off, was lazy, dropped some classes, which I hugely regret now, for a long time I didn't know what I wanted to do, to major in, and I lacked the motivation, drive to succeed, but I want to break that habit now, I want to transfer to a 4-year university and get my Bachelor's Degree, I want to succeed in life.

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+1 y

another reason why it might take me a while to transfer out of community college is because of my GPA, I know I need to raise it up, make up for all the classes I dropped in the past, because I know that 4-year universities frown upon that

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+1 y

I want to transfer to Cal State Fullerton, since I live in Orange County, I want to stay close to home

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does anyone here know anyone who is either still in community college around my age, or is overall, just has not finished college yet? has no college degree yet?

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+1 y

I just turned 23 yesterday, so, who else did not graduate college until above the average age?

[Anonymous]

At this point, you're not missing out on much as far as the whole "career" thing goes. The economy's so far in the crapper and the job market is so saturated with potential EXPERIENCED candidates that new college grads are having a helluva time finding ANY type of work, let alone work in their chosen field. You either don't have enough experience for a career-related job, or you're overqualified for part-time work at the nearest retail store. I received my degree in 2009 and I'm still sending out resumes.

In any case, if you want to transfer to a 4-year and get that degree, it's time to "buckle down." I don't know what you're work schedule is like, but you may want to pick up a full-time course load (15 or so semester units per term), and focus on getting your general ed finished. CSUs have what's called the GE Breadth system and most community colleges have a way of allowing you fulfull the majority your GE requirement with classes that will surely transfer (I'd suggest talking to your adviser).

Get your GE done, maybe a few electives (as much as you possibly can at a community college where it's cheaper), and then transfer it all over to your chosen 4-year to finish out the your major classes and any others you HAVE to take at the CSU.

Transferring and still meeting graduation requirements for the CSU is a bit more complicated than that, but any adviser can point you in the right direction; talk to one, they're there for situations just like this.

Good luck.

[Asker]

i'm actually unemployed right now

[Opinion Owner]

Well then, as long as you've got a way to pay for classes, take as many classes as you can handle, and try for full-time status. You'll get there in the end, just take as much at the CC before transferring, it'll save you a ton.

Another possible route is military service and then college (GI Bill and practically guaranteed acceptance to any number of schools). Don't rule out trade schools either if you find a trade that interests you. I've always been partial to carpentry myself...

[tyrantfuryre]

You haven't gotten a job in over 2 years? Do you mean ANY job or a job worth at very least "tolerable" pay?

IF you can't find ANY job, you're either doing something wrong or you need to move out of their area...it's clearly no good.

[moviedude714]

there are a lot of people who don't finish college until their late 20's or their early 30's

[landysgirl]

Wow. This sounds exactly like me. Although, you probably wrote this years ago, I am in the same exact situation you were in then, now. It is very uneasy knowing that the "norm" expects us to be settled into our careers at 22, or at least graduated by now. I've attempted 29 credits and have only been credited for 17 of those. It's tough leaving all the mistakes and missed opportunities behind but knowing that people have gone through the similar situations makes me feel a bit more at ease. I already have crazy anxiety so anyone that I can relate to seems to lower my blood pressure. What else should I know moving on to my 23rd birthday? I'd love to read any feed back at all from people who've been in my shoes, anyone my age or older who can give some helpful and preferably positive feed back. I've got enough negativity floating around in my head. Thanks. Hope to hear from someone soon. (:

[strbryshake]

Really annoying.. this thing just erased my answer!

Oh well, much shorter this time: I graduated at 24, my brother graduated at 26, and I currently have a friend who is 27 years old, has done 2 years in community college so far and looking to transfer into a state school soon.

So, lots of people take extra time on their education. It speaks to your character that you're trying to better yourself. If you can show improvement in your GPA for 2 straight semesters and write a kick ass personal essay in which you talk about conquering your past faults and striving to better yourself I think you definitely have a chance at getting into Cal State. Oh, and buddy up with instructors who can write you recommendations, they are very important.

[Asker]

glad to hear that

[Anonymous]

No, you shouldn't be worried. You have the gusto to want to succeed and get your education. As long as you're motivated and doing the work, there's no reason why you should feel bad about being in community college for longer than the average student.

[mike5150]

Hey I started at community college in January 2008 and here it is January 2011 and I'm still going to community college and I ain't gonna be done for at least another year. I still have no major or really interestead in any subject yet :(

[Asker]

it's my 5th year, I started in the Fall of 2006, I know I still have a while to go, I regret slacking around

[mike5150]

Well as long as you end up getting a degree or certific I would say it is worth it. Teacher told me last semiester their comes a time when your in college where even though you may not have a major you have spent enough time in college that you feel commited to getting something for it.

[rose21]

Dont b worried you will be OK. I am 23 and have 6 more years of school:)

[peace-love-couture]

Are you gonna be a doctor?

[rose21]

yes foranimals

[Asker]

you have no bachelor's degree yet?

[rose21]

No I don't when I was still in HS a councler for college came to the school to advise us on what we should do after school. He lead me down the wrong path and I wasted 3 years doing corse work I didn't need so I practly had to start over.

[tyrantfuryre]

You're fine. More and more older people are either going back or just starting to go. I'll be turning 27 soon and I'm just starting. I'm not worried at all. :)

[Liberican_shawty]

I'm in the same situation don't worry about it as long as your your the right track you should be good because your are one step ahead of other people. Plus your still young. There's people in their 30s and 40s just receiving their bachelors

[Spacemen3]

if you want to be a civil engineer o a doctor in US, how many years of (college/university/after high school) do you need?

[Anonymous]

csuf? you can get in there with a 2.0 its not hard

[Asker]

really? are you serious?

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah pretty much it would be boarder line but you should have no prob if you have at least a 2.3

[Anonymous]

your not alone... I'm about your age and I still don't know what I'm doing...im just working and going to school...

[frustratedchump06]

I've been unemployed since October 2007

[frustratedchump06]

and yet I'm also still in community college