Thanks to all who participated in Eons’ Back to School/Empty Nest survey. The results are in! The poll revealed that 19% of boomers have a child leaving for college, and 32% are going back to school themselves. Here are some details.
Of the 19% that have a child leaving college:
-51.5% are feeling happy that their kids are leaving for college.
-36.4% are planning to have more time for hobbies now that their child or children are out of the house, 18.2% said there would be more time for sex & intimacy!
-51.5% are planning on keeping their child’s room as is and over half of these respondents said they’d have to bring in the industrial cleaners!
-42.4% said the hardest part of them leaving is that they’ll miss the company, 12% said “it’s not hard, I need a break already!”
-24% are worried their kids won’t study and 24% are worried about paying tuition.
-Most will be keeping in touch with their child via phone and email and they want to hear from them once a week.
Of the 32% that are going back to school themselves:
-40% are going back for a career change.
-Most are finishing up a bachelor’s degree or taking non credit course.
-20% are studying Business, 20% Health.
-It’s been between 1-5 years since 50% of those going back to school have been in school.
-36% had thought about going back to school but never thought they’d go through with it.
-54% are excited about going back.
-46% don’t plan on ever retiring.
Some quotes on why boomers are going back to school:
“I needed to start a new career after my divorce. It was a painful divorce, but a blessing in that I have had to take ownership of my life and define my dreams, not live vicariously through my then-husband's. I've had to apply, be interviewed and accepted into this program, and I think my life experience was a plus in that process.”
“My biggest challenge was not feeling as if I 'belonged' on campus, and as a result I plan to start a non-traditional student org here at FSU. There are lots more of us than I imagined, and I like the idea of universities and colleges belonging to everyone, not just the traditional 18-26 demographic. We bring a lot to the table, and in turn, become more in touch with world of the 'new' adults.”
“Since my two sons are grown, and my mother recently died, I realized that, as long as my husband stays healthy, I don't have anyone to take care of for the first time in many years. I see this as a window of opportunity to use my time and energy on something I really want to do. I love going to school. My experience with hospice care motivated me to get a Master's Degree in Social Work, with the ultimate goal of being a hospice social worker. I am Luminous.”
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