So what's the cost? Part II

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So you've decided that you need a new life/career.  You've figured out what you want to do.  You have  a way to stay fed and sheltered for the next 3-4 years.  Are you ready for the hard part?

Remember what it was like to be college freshman?  Yes, you have to do that all over again.  So what if you have a master's, published papers with R&D credit.  You're wiping all that away.  Know that some professors will take offense that you are both a peer (albeit a different field) and a student.  Know that some will balk at teaching a person older than themselves.   Remember, your classmates will not be your friends (at my age, you're approaching "old enough to be my mom.")

What you need is called humility, with a good dose of tact.  I suggest reading Miss Manners extensively.

Learn to put others at ease.  Learn to show humility, to be ok with not knowing.  Put down the "I'm superior" act you had to use at work.  Learn to listen to all the drama of college life, without judging or lecturing.  

Eventually, you will find your place.  You will discuss life with your teachers, because you understand where they are, and they will love that you actually follow instructions. Eventually you will adjust to working 7 days a week either on a job, your house or homework.  I'm almost flexible enough to not lose sleep when my schedule switches again.  

After a while it might even have an upside... you'll remember what it was like to have the rest of your life a blank slate.  Anything is possible.  There are some limitations now:  marriage, home ownership, age.  But you're free, making the sacrifices you choose to make.  And that is worth the cost.

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