Mature Students??

[Aporia]

In reading through the boards it seems that many have started their massage therapy careers at a later seforum.xxxe in their lives.Since I am 42, the mother of four and starting a new chapter in my life ( separated from my husband last fall ), I am interested to find out how others in my position have faired.Is it hard to get back into studying again?Did you find that your age was an advaneforum.xxxe or disadvaneforum.xxxe to you in school?What was the average age of your classmates?Was your age a factor at all in the physical aspect of your training?Overall, was age a factor at all in how well ( or poorly) students did in class?Once you are finished with school, do you think your age will affect your ability to find work? ( will you get more respect or will employers be hesitant to hire someone over 40? )Thanks for any input,Jan

 

[fizzy stuff]

I'm 37 (and will be 38 when I start).  When I went to an orientation at one of the schools I'm considering, most of the people did appear to be in their early 20s.  But there were a few who were in their 30s and 40s and 50s.  I'm not worried about getting back into studying.  I've been to both college and graduate school, so study habits are kind of ingrained in me.  I actually think my age will be an advaneforum.xxxe.  I've had time to try other things and think through whether I really want to do this kind of work.  I've put more thought into this than I did into making my college/law school decisions.  Don't know how to answer your last question (re: hiring decisions).  I'm actually a little more comfortable receiving massage from someone who's a little older.  Clients may well feel the same way I do, which would make my age a benefit.  But it depends on where you're working:  I'd think a place that doesn't pay very well would want to hire younger people who might not have other job skills.  I do wonder what my actual classmates will be like and whether I'll fit in.  I worry somewhat about the physical aspects of it-- not so much because of my age, but whether I'm in good enough physical condition.  

 

[February1]

I was 37 when I was in school.  I am 40 now, bday in 3 months.I have been the "mature" student several times during my life.I always found it an advaneforum.xxxe.  I don't want to say we take it more seriously, but there is a pattern I see with more mature students.  Stillness, less horsing around etc seem to be a common thread.  (THIS IS NOT A BASH on younger students).  I always felt that I had a stake in my being there.  I was paying my bills and I couldn't just fart around.{and there were people faring around,,,this I never understood....you're paying for SCHOOL.....quit being a jerk}I have had A&P several times in my life(thankfully) it was basically a review for me.  I have good study techniques.Our class was mixed.  I think we had one 18 yo in the class and two in their 60's. Everyone got along well.Physicality was a factor for me because I had a back problem examassageplanetate near the end of school.  The strain for me was getting home from class at 11pm and needing to wake for work at 4:30 AM.  Though it was only 3 nights a week(when we got to clinic), it was ROUGH going for a while.  My sleep cycle got screwed up...All of that has resolved.  MT is STILL the best decision I have ever made.RE: employment.  I really can't speak to it.  I work for myself.Good luck to you,RObyn

 

[Pompal 09.]

Mature Students??

I had big concerns about getting back into the "school brain" mindset when I began this phase of my life 15 months ago. I really didn't like school when I was younger. It felt like I was doing what someone else wanted me to do just because I "had to". When I went to the orientation though, I got really excited about the idea. Like Facingeast said, having some life experience has helped me to see that this is something I want to do, which helps when I feel overwhelmed. The school I am at is excellent, and the links between what we study and how they apply are very evident. The teachers I have had were all top notch as well, attentive to the audience, aware that for many people sitting and listening to lectures is not the best approach to learning, which makes the process much more pleasant than I remember from when I was younger.The concern about being older was dispelled quickly for me when one of the instructors at the orientation, who is in her late 50's, explained that with proper body mechanics, a person can do massage for years without injury. She made a point of saying that the training we receive helps us be more aware of our bodies and what hurts us, so that we are better prepared to take care of ourselves. I'm actually healthier now, at 45, than I was 10 years ago because of this. I have actually enjoyed being in a class with mixed ages. We have one woman who just turned 21 about a month ago, and a woman who is 50. The majority are in their mid twenties to early thirties. A couple have kids, a few are married, and some are still single. We all tend to mix it up pretty well, so there aren't really any exclusionary cliques. I don't think I would want to change anything about my experience thus far.

 

[Yia!]

I stated in MT school 20 months ago at the age of 53.  I'm still working fulltime in my original career choice and going to classes part time at night & weekends.  With a little luck I will be finished in December!It hasn't been easy.  It had been 30 years since I graduated from college and my brain doesn't learn and retain as quickly as it used to.  Also my original career is in technology (computers, programming, etc.)... very logical stuff.  My MT classes have taken me into many areas that I've never been before (chakras, Eastern A&P, energy work, and of course A&P).  I've learned a lot, it hasn't been easy.  But my "maturity" has helped me hang in there and study, straight A's so far.Most of the students in my classes have been the ages of my children, many even younger.  I'm always the oldest, including the insturctors. There have been times when I've felt like an outsider, and times when I was the last to find a partner for hands-on work.  I haven't had any "bad" experiences just awkward or uncomfortable ones. It has been interesting being immersed in a different "culture" and generation.  One night the major concern of a young guy in class was that he was the only one there who couldn't buy beer.Is it a mid-life thing for me, probably.  It is a whole new world for me.  My career has been (and will contnue to be) technology, but now I've added touch, energy and intent to my life.  I see the two as my yin and yang.It has been hard, and it's not over.  I've still got kinesiology and national exam to go.  But it has been interesting and fulfilling. I would do it all over again.(Sorry to be so long winded.)

 

[Pk.khafan]

I am 37 and started school in January of this year.  I also have a full time job (but thank goodness it's unsupervised so I have more leway) and 2 pre teen kids.  I did not go to college so this was a change for me!!  I actually came home from my first class that we had home work and sat down and said..  how the heck do I study!!!  It had been so long. Well I got the hang of it and actually am enjoying learning.  My class has 14 students and they range from 18 (still in high school) to I would have to say late 50's.  Everyone gets along great.  Although some seem more serious than others.  I cant say age has it's advaneforum.xxxes or disadvaneforum.xxxes.  There are young and old who are doing great and some having trouble.Right now I am holding a 97% in class. (who me??) My mom gives me a hard time saying we were glad to see C's and B's on your review card in high school, what happened?  LOL  We get anywhere from 4-6 muscles to study each weekk to test on the next week (O, I, & A's) now I do good on the tests then we get our new muscles so I start studying those, at that point dont ask me what the O,I, & A's are for the muscles we studied for last week. Now that I contribute to age  LOL Personally I don't think age will be a hiring factor.  I plan on opening my own office. But from my understanding if you work for someone else they usually have you give them a massage.  So your techniques and education will shine thru.

 

[R-U-B]

Saturday I received my certificate.  Tomorrow I mail in my application for temporary license.  I am 56 years old and where I will start my business there are four other therapist in a three mile range.  Normally those stat's would have me concerned.  I am not concerned today.To answer your questions:Yes it is hard to study again.  Is it worth the effort; I believe it is. I believe my age did have an advaneforum.xxxe.The age range in my class was across the board.I had no problems physically handling massage.The younger students appeared to have more problems because they were less focused than the other students.  That is just my opinion and observation.Jan I believe all students who are meant to be in this field will do well.  They will draw the clientele that need there services.  You will find in class what you need to build on and if you get in touch with what that is you will do well.I hope this helps you.  I have found so much help on this site yet due to being a student with so much to learn I had nothing that I could add.  Now I believe that I can help someone like so many others have helped me.

 

[Mogsy]

Thank you all for your replys !!It's great to hear that getting the hang of studying again isn't lost on those over 30!I guess the physical part isnt' really an age issue...but for me, one of long lasting and continuing injuries and pain. I have been doing very physical work for years now....raising cattle and horses, so I am in good enough shape ( only 120 pounds at 42 ain't so bad   )The problem is that because I am continually, day after day, lifting very heavy bales of hay onto the truck ( these are bales that weigh between 40 and 100 lbs )I have been plagued by back, shoulder and neck injuries the past few years.  I have also had my right index finger broken last spring...it was the knuckle joint that broke and it still gets stiff and sore, especially when it's cold .I have started trying to get into better ovrall shape, working out three times a week to try to strengthen my back and neck...but it probably wont' get any better until I can stop doing this physical work every day and give it a chance to rest and heal.I know that healing takes a lot more time once you get older....so I guess I am wondering if it is possible to heal enough to stand up to the constant work that this will entail.Once my divorce is final and the animals are sold, I will not be beating myself up every day !

 

[Gage]

I am like the others. I'm 42 and actually took my final and last class today (92% thank yew, very much!).  The oldest person in my class was 57, the youngest 19.  All in all, the ones that did the best were the 'non-traditional' students, the older ones. The younger ones seemed to have an attitude of not striving for excellence but more for passing-is-good-enough.  I don't know what their financial situation is but chances are they might not be paying for it out of their own pocket.  (Don't mean to jump to conclusions, I'm just saying.)Don't worry about not being able to handle the course load, you'll do fine. Physically, shouldn't be a problem unless you have some other challenges.  Keep in mind that at first it is like training for any new physical challenge. You are using muscles that you aren't used to using. You might ache in new places at first. This is normal. I think that older students have a certain advaneforum.xxxe when it comes to massage therapy.  We've been around, we've seen what time/age/gravity can do to the human body and while we might not like it it's not a big deal. We have life experiences that I think add to the experience of learning MT. After all, you aren't necessarily learning to massage the physical body, you are massaging the whole person. You'll be great.

 

[Kate B]

I was 41 when I started school.  I was afraid I'd be the oldest, but I wasn't.  There were a few others older than me.  We had a range from 18-50.  I think the older students did better, as we had maturity and focus.  We had all ranges of physical fitness in our class.  It was more of struggle for some than others.  I think once you are done with the horses and the hay, your body will have time to heal.  Getting massage several times a week in class will also help.  Doing something you love that is nurturing and healing will also help.  If it turns out that some of the work is a little too hard for your body and you can't imagine doing it on a regular basis, then you might gravitate towards modalities that are less wear and tear on your body.  As far as hiring goes, I have not found age to be a factor at all.  I think many employers appreciate the maturity.  As has already been mentioned, I think many clients feel more comfortable with someone who is a little more mature.  Good luck.

 

[518]

Hey all.... I find it is interesting that so many of us are in the same "boat".  I am also starting in MT at a later age.. started back in school at 44 and am now 46.  This is my second profession as my first on is photography.  I had went through some rough times, my husband left me for another woman and I just needed something refreshing in my life.  I needed to learn something new and MT seemed to be such a good way to help other people.  I am so thankful that I decided to go through with it.     I worked 40+ hours a week and went to school at night and just graduated summa cum laude in my program and passed my NCE in April and now I am just looking for the right situation to open up for me..... God Speed to all of you fellow therapists and those making it through school.Drema   ;D

 

[Muldah]

You are all truly an inspiration...thank you !!!Yes, I think my body will come around once the hard labor and 'rodeos' stop !!( the colts I work with are all just weaned and never handled by humans before ) I am sooo looking forward to the masasages by classmates !!Dreamtouch...I am just going through a divorce right now as well...for the same reasons, sort of.  He has another woman but I am the one that left him.  I am now single, alone ( except for my kids ) and a lot less lonely than I have been for the past five years...and if he'd pay some child support life would be really looking up !  LOLThank you all for the inspiration to follow my dream.

 

[Magenta]

Janalta,Follow your dream! I am older too! Will be 47 soon.  I have had some nagging issues before school that were examassageplanetated by being "required" to do massage a particular way.  I will finish very soon and find that when left to my own devices, I actually feel better after giving several hours of massage than I did before.I send out an intention when I begin a massagelease provide what is needed for this person's greater good and please let me be a conduit for that healing. I take as long as I need for that connection to be made and the results are hard to believe and challenge everything my rational mind knows, but my intuitive self knows this is the way.Let us know how you do!LaLoba

 

[FrozenWaffles]

Wow... I thought I was alot older than I just now figured out I was, when I went over to massage therapy school. آ I was a mere 31 or 32. آ Heh. Now I am well into age 38. آ Well into...*hehe*... You have to understand, I am so looking forward to being 50 (no joke... I am an old soul in a medium body, with a lot of energy and life... what a strange combination!). آ It sure is taking a long time to get there!Anyway... my husband switched careers and started at age 40.I highly recommend it, if it is something you are called to. آ It is nice to have the career to fall back on and it is wonderful to help people.For your quote:

The problem is that because I am continually, day after day, lifting very heavy bales of hay onto the truck ( these are bales that weigh between 40 and 100 lbs )I have been plagued by back, shoulder and neck injuries the past few years. آ I have also had my right index finger broken last spring...it was the knuckle joint that broke and it still gets stiff and sore, especially when it's cold .

Believe it or not, massage will be a piece of cake of you. آ I grew up on a small peice of property and would feel goats and horses... move a little hay and grain. آ All I can say, is the strength I gained from it, makes massage soooo much eaiser!For the aches and pains... yeah... they are there.... but here is the good news. آ You'll be in massage school getting worked on regularly! آ Wahoo! آ And, you'll inevitably meet someone you'll be doing regular trades with for at least your first year after you have graduated, I'll bet.So, I say go for it. آ Studying may be a little hard, but you'll at least have more common sense than most in your class AND, you will know how to apply yourself. آ Something the younger generation of massage students I have seen, is lacking. آ Well, many were lacking it when I was in massage school too. آ The farting-off comment is so true. آ I think only one other person from my husbands class actually showed up for the board exams.  And there was only one other from mine too.آ Makes ya wonder!Good luck! آ 

 

[Catsftw]

Mature Students??

we had folks in my class from age 18 to age 75 becoming massage therapists. It was great...quite the range which gave us a more colorful history to learn from each other. I am 35 myself and feel it's never too late to learn a new trade, especially one that is so rewarding for yourself and others.Be well,Jen

 

[dlyle76]

We had a wonderful range of ages in my classes. I think the youngest was 18, the oldest student in the late 50's. I was somewhere in the middle at 30. I thought it was so great to have that broad spectrum of people and experience. We learned a lot from one another. When I first started I wondered what it would be like to have homework and tests. It had been a long while!  ;D But it was fab! It was hard work, and at times quite overwhelming but I made it through. (graduated with honors even, toot toot!) Studying hard and working my tail off made me feel great about myself as well. The biggest hurdle I had was trying to balance family life with school. Sometimes it went well, sometimes it was a nightmare, lol. But in the end the whole family got into the swing of things and everyone was very supportive.