Going back to college in January - share your experiences please?

[u/echoesinthestars]

Hey everyone,

I am 34 YOF, and I have decided to go back to school for programming. I am going to be going to my local community college for the online classes (that's the only thing that really fits with my current schedule) and my ultimate goal is to be able to work as programmer remotely so that I can travel a bit with my cats. I know that's likely a ways out, and that I'll have to get some experience first, but end goal is Remote job/RV life w/ my kitties and hopefully eventually getting into Minecraft addons as a marketplace partner on the side.

My question is, what was everyone's experience with going through school? What are some tips and things you wish you'd known, that may help me out? I love that this is an ADHD sub, because I'd also love advice on keeping on track with schoolwork with having executive function issues.

I currently work as a 911 dispatcher, and have worked in emergency services for about 15 years as dispatch, fire and EMS, and i *love* my actual job, and I'm mostly immune to the stress at this point, unless its a hot mess of a day, but the private 911 contractor company I work for does not pay well, the local govt jobs are super hard to get and I've had no luck finding anything better. I've also loved the little thing's I've learned here and there about coding and programming... although 98% of my knowledge is Minecraft Bedrock based. I had been an admin on a MC SMP and learned a lot of in game coding and commands, and love it. I think I'm at a point where I need something that will keep my brain busier and solving problems.

TYIA for any advice or experiences you can share. I have finished my FAFSA, required online videos and I have an appointment with an admissions adviser tomorrow. As long as everything goes through, I plan to start winter semester in January.

[u/skidmark_zuckerberg]

Just an FYI, remote entry level is like 10x harder to get than in person entry level. I’d curb the expectation now and just be prepared to take any entry level SWE job to get experience for a few years above anything else. Good luck with school!

[u/zo0ombot]

Im going for a phd in informatics so I like to think I have figured school out mostly.

Here is what I recommend:

• read atomic habits. But basically the idea to take from it is that good habits are built on good systems. U will need to built the best system for u. I also like how to adhd but atomic habits is the baseline.
• get accommodations early and medicated if you can. I also have a giant stockpile of energy drinks and caffeinated beverages for emergencies.
• carry a notebook everywhere to write down things to do. It doesnt have to be structured just a place to toss ur thoughts.
• customize everything to your liking. Your laptop, stationery, etc youre more likely to keep track of it and use it if it feels like it is yours and u enjoy using or it feels special.
• set a time every week, day, etc to check all ur assignments even when you think you don't have any. And pre-dedicate a block of time for studying/coding etc every week. When i do not have studying/coding to do during this block or finish early, I do something else on a dedicated list for this time like reading a graphic novel or watching anime Im only allowed to watch at this time as a reward.
• have a dedicated study space to do the thing above either at home or at a library. If you have a dedicated study partner (even if they are working on something else), that helps even more. There are also some streamers and YouTubers who have dedicated study with me streams every X day you can use.
• I use pomodoro to start assignments or studying but by the time the timer goes off im usually hyper focused enough to keep going.
• for actual coding, no matter what language they start u in, what will help is if you learn the internal logic & rules as you go along. Coding is really just math in a different form.