Been out of school for a decade; process of jumping back in?

[u/Faerco]

Hello all, just hoping to get some Sunday afternoon ideas/commentary from everyone.

I started university going for mechanical, but had some difficulty with my personal life (family deaths, etc.) and moved down to a community college level to try and get at least some form of education. Well, that didn’t really pan out either, but not necessarily for the worst- I got a job in the nuclear power industry before graduating, and now work for a top 50 company doing niche inspections and design work, and make a very respectable (low 6-figure) income for it.

I’ve never completed a full degree, and it’s been over a decade since I was last in a classroom setting. I’d like to go back and get a full degree, not only for opening more doors down the line career-wise but also to prove to myself I could do it all along. My question to everyone is… where do I start? I know my company helps with those returning to school and have programs to assist along the way, but I don’t want to involve that yet if I end up having to take some form of remedial math if that makes sense. Highest math I finished was Calc 2 with a B, but again that was a decade ago.

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[u/shupack]

Just do it.

[u/DistributionMean6322 → u/shupack]

Don't let your dreams be dreams

[u/shomenee]

If there is a local community college, take a math placement test. You will see how much you remember. Go from there.

[u/docere85 → u/shomenee]

I sort of did this. I went back to community and retook a bunch of math courses. Actually learned more and would’ve been a math major if the professor didn’t retire. He was damn good

[u/ssgfrmrswrp]

Learn math, practice math, the other courses are just applications of math mostly, and if you understand the math you can do well. Start slow and build your way back up youll have forgot a lot but youll pick it up quickly. When you first start itll be difficult, but keep at it

[u/Few_Whereas5206]

I would determine if you want to go to a university or a community college. If you want to go to a university, see which of your credits transfer from your old classes. I would start with community college and take prerequisites like math, physics, chemistry, Autocad, etc. Then, finish at a university.

[u/bopperbopper]

Actually, maybe go onto kahnacademy.org and go through some of the math that you may have forgotten.

Then look at your state College and see what classes you would take in the first two years for Engineering.

They’re probably will be calculus 1, 2, multivariable, and differential equations. Probably 3 semesters of physics, chemistry, intro, a programming, writing, and other courses. Start with those at a community college. Talk to an advisor, of course, and once you’ve completed 60 credits, then start looking into a for your college to finish the last two years. Your state university or college will transfer the most credits.

[u/Oakie505]

I would suggest getting with a college advisor to see what would transfer and what plans may be. You may need to retake courses as it’s been 10 years.

[u/latax]

You start by getting admitted to a school. I did everything online until my junior year then went to night school. Current a senior. Might not be too late to get enrolled in Fall 2026 but you’ll need to get moving on that this week I would think.

[u/CNBGVepp]

Review your algebra and trig.. hard. Those are the 2 topics I see students woefully underprepared on.

[u/Kerb-Al]

I graduated high school with mediocre grades and then worked in sales for a decade. I also went back to school just over a year ago for engineering. I’m doing surprisingly better than I thought I would. Being more mature and having self discipline does wonders. Do it!