Chris Said:

How long would it take for me to become a teacher?

We Answered:

About 2 years, depending on if you are a full time student or just part time. Good luck!

Mae Said:

Have any of you finished college after the age of 30 and become successful in your careers?

We Answered:

Lots of people have done it. I'm 28 and I go to college. I don't have kids and live with my boyfriend, he is 30 and going to college too. Even though we don't have kids, we still have to go to jobs. Its tough because there are times where I don't want to do homework and study. So I usually try to study before I go to work.

Another thing we have done is not have debt. We haven't taken out any student loans yet. We're trying to avoid them as much as possible, we both hate debt. We don't have any credit card debt either. We also do without other things, we don't have cable. Although doing without cable isn't really a sacrifice because we both think its crap. If you lower the bills or find ways to get rid of certain things then that can help. We use Netflix and itunes for movies.

Colleges these days have child care for parents, why not see if your college has child care? In America you can go to college at any age, lots of people have gone to college after 30 and 40 and have done amazing things with their lives. I've even heard of people going to med school at age 40. If other people can go to college with kids then you can too.

Constance Said:

At the age around 30, most people get confused and unsure what to do next?

We Answered:

Thirty?! That late?!

(Dear lord, my entire LIFE since age 10, I think, has been one large midlife crisis! :) )

It depends on the person, but people commonly (men especially, since their self-image is more tied into their profession) go through a few periods of confusion where they wonder if they are doing the right thing, if they are wasting their lives, if they could have been more productive, if they are really happy, and so forth....

This mid-life crisis is normally considered around 40, but 30 is a fine age as well. It's just enough time to establish yourself in a job or leave graduate school, get married and have a few kids... and then wonder if you did the right thing and if you'll be happy later or regret your decisions.

Society has become more flexible at least. Especially nowadays, people change jobs regularly. Fifty years ago, you usually just worked one job and retired from it; now it's possible to try out different things as you go, and experiment a bit.

I still struggle over the purpose of my life, and I'm 37. While yes, your options will be more limited than when you were younger, you always have the option to start each day fresh and new, moving in a new direction. It will take work and commitment, but you shouldn't be afraid to try something new and see how you like it... and if you don't like it, try something else.

There is no right answer. The cliche nowadays is that it's "the journey, not the destination." That's correct -- what it means is that you can enjoy changing your life, trying new things, experience today on its own merits, and stop worrying so much over how everything will work out and if you are making the most beneficial decision for your whole life.

Life is more trial-and-error than that, and it's okay.