I'm going to make a big change

**starsapphire** · 05-26-2009, 03:55 PM

I've been working at my current job for 8 years. Over the last year I have come to realize that I am utterly and completely burnt out. I am at a place where I just cannot stand my job anymore. I have to get out of there. But I am 45, have no college degree, live in a small town in a rural area with really nowhere else to go jobwise. No kids at home but we need my income to get by.

DH and I talked about it and I told him I want to take at least two years off of work and be a student at our community college. Then either go back to work or go to a 4 year college after that. He supports me in this 100%, he knows I am unhappy.

So here's my plan for the next few years. I have some money put away. I will work one more year to save even more money and quit my job next May, then start college in August for the 2010/2011 school year and get my associate's degree. Working one more year will also give the economy more time to recover, plus there's a couple of wild cards in my plan. One is that there are layoffs happening at both of our jobs. If I get laid off, I will just start school right away and go from there. If DH gets laid off, I'm hoping he'll get another job within the next year and if not, I still have my job (much as I hate it). Another one is that DH has some medical issues which he has to see a specialist about to find out whats going on there.

I have crunched the numbers and even working another year we still will fall short money-wise but I will either get a part time job or a student loan (student loan is a last resort).

I feel really good about this plan even though going back to school will be a bit scary but I know I can do it. Ugh just waiting that year out at my job will be my toughest challenge for now. Every day I go in I think to my self 'only one more year of this crap' and everything in me wants to quit right now LOL. I have to squash that urge. So that is whats going on with me lately.

Any suggestions welcome concerning a non traditional student going back to college are welcome. Thanks

**Maine Girl** · 05-26-2009, 05:14 PM

Good for you to go back to school and study something you will enjoy. Once you are motivated towards a goal it will happen. Best of luck

**bluedog** · 05-26-2009, 05:34 PM

Congratulations on your plan and the courage to start such an endeavor. Best of luck

**savvy_sniper** · 05-26-2009, 06:31 PM

You could look into taking some classes online between now and when you quit your job.

Look around your house. Everybody has stuff they don't need or want anymore. Have a garage sale, list on craigslist, look into listing on eBay, etc. You and/or hubby could look into part-time jobs to earn some extra money.

Look at your budget and cut it to the bone. There are always more places you can cut back to save money.

You could also consider working part-time while you are going to school to bring in some extra money. Where there is a will; there is a way.

Good Luck!

**Delightful~Homemaker** · 05-26-2009, 07:09 PM

Good luck to you. It sounds like you have thought everything out.

**Sassyclass** · 05-26-2009, 09:02 PM

Congrats on your decision. You have lots of courage. I'm 49 and I have thought about going back to school several times and I always talk myself out of it. Not enough money, not enough time blah, blah blah. Good luck and I agree about checking out the online courses. Prayers.

Cat

**lamarus** · 05-27-2009, 04:55 AM

I agree that it is great to have goals and to follow your dreams and it is also importance to be realistic. You don't have children and I assume you don't plan to. Do you have a mortgage? What is your debt situation? Do you plan on moving somewhere else after getting your education as you....."live in a small town in a rural area with really nowhere else to go jobwise."

"No kids at home but we need my income to get by." Is working one more year going to provide you sufficient financial cushion to account for the "couple of wild cards". No its not....you said it yourself...."I have crunched the numbers and even working another year we still will fall short money-wise but I will either get a part time job or a student loan (student loan is a last resort)."

I think, deep down, you know that this is a very risky path you plan on taking. Maybe a more prudent path such as keeping your job and getting your degree online. You should have the time.....you don't have any children.

And may I finally say....unhappiness is a personal choice. You can choose to be unhappy with your job or find creative ways to deal with stress and make your work more rewarding.

**TheRootedNomad** · 05-27-2009, 06:38 AM

You're post resonates with me. I've found myself making some very similar decisions over the past couple of months. A very large part of my abscence from the village has been due to my dissatisfaction with my employment. I have worked for the same place for 17ish years in various positions. During all that time I have had multiple phases of dissatisfaction. None of them ever having to do with the actual work but instead with the politics or my direct supervisior at the time. I always pushed through when I should've probably walked and found something new because I "needed" the job, "where could I find better", "the scheadule worked", yada yada yada. We have worked hard to get ourselves out of a negative economic position and though my husband's money doesn't cover everything it comes close. I have kept my FT job to help move us foward and for the health insurance. (I won't get onto my soap box about the cost of health insurance for a "female of child bearing age" but let's just say it's a major factor.") Also, and most importantly, up until a supervisior change about 6 months back I was also in a content phase. With the new supervisior came the return of dissatisfaction as there is not any appreciation of a job well done, no true understanding of her own position or mine, and the small perks that made the job beneficial to working with the rest of my life have slowly been removed. That said, I too have put in place an exit plan. If I can meet the goals DH and I have set and things have not changed at work I will leave in July of next year. I too plan on taking some time off and then looking for something different. Simply having something to work towards that I REALLY want is motivation to not "cut my nose off to spite my face" when I become really angry/stressed/fed up at work. I think you'll find that having yours will be helpful too. Yes, things may come up and the plan may need to be tweaked or changed. A year and then taking off completely might not work but by the time that rolls around you'll know it and have another plan in place, like a PT job or a different one all together that pays for schooling, or so forth.

By beginning to plan you are taking charge of your emotional well being. There is a quote I wish I could remeber completely that says that if we were never dissatisfied we would never strive for anything better. I find that to be very true. :hugs: and keep us posted.

**MaryCarney** · 05-27-2009, 07:17 AM

I have a suggestion for you. How about 'homeschooling' yourself? What I mean is this - buy some study guides and textbooks, and begin taking CLEP and DANTES exams. I am mentoring a group of homeschooled teens right now through just such a process, and I have also done it myself. I recently completed my BS degree from Excelsior University (I'm going to New York in July to attend commencement), and part of my credits came from these exams.
For example, even at a budget-priced community college in my area, a three credit hour Algebra class costs around $300, not counting textbook, time and gas. A CLEP test for Algebra costs $75, and yields the same three credit hours, you do all your studying at home, and can take it whenever you are ready.
Another source of college credits are ECE exams- sponsored by Excelsior College. For example, I took an exam in "Psychology of Adulthood and Aging" which gave me three credits at the 400 (senior) level, for $285. The textbook I found on eBay for $20.
Another piece of advice is this, be very sure about what you want to study before committing major time and money. What I mean is, I love history, but I would never major in that, as the want ads are not packed with ads for historians. Instead, I pursue history as a hobby.
I hope this is helpful. I wish you much success. Hey,if I can finish my degree 35 years after I started, you can certainly get a degree.

**starsapphire** · 05-27-2009, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by lamarus

I agree that it is great to have goals and to follow your dreams and it is also importance to be realistic. You don't have children and I assume you don't plan to. Do you have a mortgage? What is your debt situation? Do you plan on moving somewhere else after getting your education as you....."live in a small town in a rural area with really nowhere else to go jobwise."

"No kids at home but we need my income to get by." Is working one more year going to provide you sufficient financial cushion to account for the "couple of wild cards". No its not....you said it yourself...."I have crunched the numbers and even working another year we still will fall short money-wise but I will either get a part time job or a student loan (student loan is a last resort)."

I think, deep down, you know that this is a very risky path you plan on taking. Maybe a more prudent path such as keeping your job and getting your degree online. You should have the time.....you don't have any children.

And may I finally say....unhappiness is a personal choice. You can choose to be unhappy with your job or find creative ways to deal with stress and make your work more rewarding.

Thanks but you haven't walked a mile in my shoes.

But to answer some of your questions, no more kids. No mortgage, we rent. Paid for cars. A tiny bit of CC debt which will be paid off in a few months.

If the wild cards happens then my plans change. Obviously. That's why I'm waiting a year.

The part about living in a small town in a rural area with nowhere else to go jobwise....I was posting on my lunch break and neglected to mention that there are opportunities with a college degree.

And no its not so risky

. With cutting back on monthly expenses and a part time job we'll make it just fine.

**Debbie-cat** · 05-27-2009, 04:44 PM

Good for you! I started online courses six years ago and earned my bachelor's degree (in Canada) and then went on to get my Bachelor of Education. I was working with a school board since I pretty much was out of high school but did not have the qualifications although I was teaching (unqualified of course, lower money) . It was the best thing I ever did. I was a single parent and had to leave for a year to get my Bachelors of Ed. My Mother watched my son and I was paying bills for two households. It was rough but I don't regret it for a second.

I would look into online courses. Even if you only take one course between now and next year, you will already have one course under your belt and you will be in the schooling "MODE" which will help when you start classes full-time. It is now time to do something for yourself and I am glad that your hubby is so supportive. Best of luck and let us know how it is going!

**MommyBliss** · 05-27-2009, 04:51 PM

Congrats on your plan! It sounds very sound to me. Good luck!

**frugalwarrior** · 05-27-2009, 04:59 PM

Good for you. I would love to go back. I have an associates degree but always had remorse I didn't get a 4 year degree. My daughter starts school in Aug. and my son in 2 years. I still am thinking about just taking a few courses for sanity reasons. You only get one chance and life comes around before you know it. Grab while you can. I sggest you start now at night if possible or online. Prime that pump.

**IndigoMom** · 05-27-2009, 06:48 PM

Congratulations on your decision! I agree with Mary Carney about studying at home to take the CLEP and DANTES exams - it will save you both time and money. Also, taking a course or two online in the mean time will help get you into the study mode as Debbi-Cat mentioned. Also, it may help to have something under your belt should you choose to apply for a scholorship or grant to assist with tuition.
Also, have you thought about what it is you do want to major in? Is there any part time work that could assist with it - Per Diem as a CNA if you're interested in nursing. Working part time as a pharmacy tech. if you're considering if you're considering becoming a Pharmacist. Receptionist, or hostess if you're considering working in the Hotel/Guest Services area, if you work at a college they tend to offer at least a discount in their tuition for employees, if not a complete waiver of tuition fees. Just a thought.