I am changing careers and my new path requires allot of math. I am on my way to 38 years old and work shift so I can not take classes on a regular bases. I have a family and other commitments.

I am committed to learning and am eager to start although it will be a long process as I am surly below the average IQ and have been out of school longer than I was in.

I will need to be at a university entrance level for chem. trig, algebra and on top of that I don't even know what calculus is.

If you know what a stationary engineer is or a power engineer, I am currently at the third level and intend on gaining my first class if my grey matter can muster the retention necessary. Here is the program link… SOPEEC - Standarization of Power Engineer Examinations Committee

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Grogy

Hello again, Grogy!

For one thing, you already have a job. Correct? You have a family that is supportive of what you want to do. Correct? You already know that the learning of these things will be a long process.

I admire someone who is committed to a goal as well as family and is willing to change in order to better themselves for the potential of making a better life for themselves and their family.

If you have had a stable job history, that is one thing that will work in your favor when you do learn the things that you need to learn and eventually apply for the type of job that you want. I would suggest making yourself indispensable at the job that you have now so that a reference for you will be more than favorable.

I would also suggest going online and finding some sites that are free for you to use that will help to better yourself in your grammar and spelling. What and how you communicate on cover letters will more than likely be the first impression that you will have on a potential employer. Using correct spelling and grammar will also enable you to do better at whatever job you have if you need to communicate in writing to anyone else.

Here are a couple of sites with subsequent links that might be good for you to use. Although they might seem to be pretty basic, I notice that you are misspelling as well as leaving out certain words with what you are trying to communicate by writing. Even if you think that what you have written is correct, always use the spellchecker.

Learning English vocabulary and grammar with free online English language tests, exercises and quizes

Grammar Style refdesk.com

Hey! You know what? You've already got one up on me, because I don't even know what a stationary engineer is or a power engineer is!

As far as learning math at your age, there is going to be some problem with retention on your part. You are going to have to study harder than someone who is much less your age. But, you can do it if you try. You will need to immerse yourself in your studies. There will need to be a little sacrifice as far as balancing family time with study time.

Just an idea - maybe there might be a retired math teacher in your area who would enjoy tutoring you for free? Again, just an idea. Also, maybe you can afford to hire a tutor?

You might find some online sites that will help you in your math to prepare you for the type of engineering that you want to go into.

You might also consider enrolling in some math courses at a junior or community college. The cost at one of those places wouldn't be as much as it would be at a college or university.

Please remember that it's not just practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice that makes perfect. In addition to immersing yourself in your studies and practicing under the guidance of a teacher and/or tutor, you will need to take periodic breaks from all of the brain work for it to "sink in" and then return to your studies refreshed and able to go on and learn more.

There are at least a few real math whizzes on this site. And, I am sure that any one of them would be willing to help you to figure out any math problems that you have and ways that might help you to understand the functions of the math that you are trying to learn concerning the applications that it might have to the type of engineering to which it applies.

I wish you well in your pursuit! And, I hope that there will be others who will provide their answers, opinions as well as insights about your inquiry here. I encourage you in the positive pursuits that you have for yourself.

Sorry! My answer above just got repeated here because the system was slow and I tried to make sure the answer was posted. So, I just deleted it.

Hello Grogy, boy do I understand your dilemma. I was 39 when I went back to college and had to take my shoes and socks off to add 2 + 2 (a little joke from my Algebra Professor).

If you are in the states you need to go to your local community college and take an entrance exam. The one in my state is called the COMPASS test. This will test your skills in all areas including maths. It's basically a placement test.

Sign up for the maths that you feel comfortable with. I tested into College Algebra, only because of lucky guesses on the test. I needed an advisor to override my scores so that I could get into pre-algebra (yeah my daughter took that last year in 7th grade). The classes range about an hour 2 or 3 days per week and some schools even have night classes you could take. Take it slow, get a tutor if you need one.

Hi Grogy, I went back to school at 37 so I can relate!

I got my BA from St Leo University through their online courses. They are fully accredited and have brick and mortar classrooms if you prefer the traditional setting, too.

I worked full time, have 2 kids and an aging mother - so classrooms were not going to work for me. If you are self-directed and organized, online courses are the best! Your local community colleges and most universities may have classes as well.

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Good Luck!