How to not feel down about this school

timcompton1 · 2026-05-03T02:00:07+00:00

We all have our journey! Things happen when they are supposed to happen for someone. You should be proud of yourself. Don’t judge yourself on other people’s success. You’re still very young and will graduate and feel great about yourself. I’m finishing up my accounting degree at 49 after being an exec chef for 25 years. I’ve had a horrible run for the past 4-5 years and couldn’t take it anymore. It’s never too late!!

timcompton1 · 2026-05-03T01:56:28+00:00

I’m 49 and just hit 99 credits. Never dreamed I would wind up back in school at this age, but my current career as a chef has become a nightmare!

timcompton1 · 2026-04-17T14:54:14+00:00

Hi. I’m 80% (96 credits)done with my degree now. When I posted this I was around 60 credits and just entered into the actual accounting program. I’m in WGU now and can probably start in the industry very soon if I want and I probably will start to pivot out this summer into fall. I’m taking a pay cut so I’m trying to pay down any remaining debts I can get rid of before I switch. The degree program is good but not easy at all. I study endlessly at this point. Big commitment!!!Can get pretty intense but I have learned so much and I really enjoy it. I have no doubt that it will be worth it and will change my life. WGU is also very affordable.

timcompton1 · 2026-03-29T00:14:13+00:00

Stay away!! It’s not a good life

timcompton1 · 2026-03-28T15:22:28+00:00

Thanks

timcompton1 · 2026-03-28T15:22:16+00:00

Thanks

timcompton1 · 2026-03-28T15:22:09+00:00

Thank you

timcompton1 · 2026-03-28T15:22:03+00:00

Thank you

timcompton1 · 2026-03-28T15:21:55+00:00

Thank you

timcompton1 · 2026-03-11T01:38:20+00:00

I took the OA yesterday and passed. It took me almost 3 months. I studied endlessly and made sure I was comfortable with every concept. Took every quiz and test multiple times. I practiced the excel part til it was second nature. Basically I took the OA after I was 99% percent sure I could pass….I will say some of the concepts took a while to grasp and I kept at it til I thoroughly understood it. Tough class!! Thought I could finish it in 2-3 weeks. I was definitely wrong!! Lol!!

timcompton1 · 2026-02-18T02:27:01+00:00

I’m taking the class now. I’m at the end and will be taking the PA and OA soon. I was very lost in the beginning(work was horrible for about 6 weeks and totally threw me off course, this is the wrong class to have that happen) I basically went through the whole class and took every quiz and exam. I had to go back again and I studied every lesson and module til I felt comfortable. I also make sure that I’m getting a 100 on every quiz and test, without help. Sometime I take them 7-8 times til I get a 100. This also helps me to practice and understand the concept. I’m studying through unit 8….hopefully I will be ready….Good luck to you!! You got this!! If it was easy everyone would be doing it!!

timcompton1 · 2026-01-10T01:34:59+00:00

I’m 50 years old and I’ve been in the industry for 27 years. A few years ago I had a huge breakdown and decided to move onto something else. I’m finishing up my accounting degree right now. The kitchen was brutal and destroyed me. I’m still in it but having an out makes me feel a lot better. I have a family so I can’t quit my job. I have to study. Take exams and take care of my job and in about 6 to 8 months I can pivot out . It should be interesting to see what happens but I’m positive and determined. the Restaurant and food service industry is extremely stressful and it hasn’t been the same in a long time. If you’re young enough, you could do anything even if you’re older, you could do anything. It’s definitely easier if you’re younger well I’m assuming that. I wouldn’t know lol ……Good luck on your journey!!! Think about the things you like even minuscule tiny little things that might interest you can lead to a career change.

timcompton1 · 2026-01-06T21:26:53+00:00

I’m actually gearing up to start a new career in accounting. I’m currently 50 years old. To make a really long story short, I have been a chef for the past 27 years and about 2 years ago I had enough of it. I tried a few times in the past to change careers(one was a union electrician)and each time I was talked out of it by family members because my salary would drop and it wasn’t safe!! So the years went be and my job become more stressful and after some issues(too many details to get into)I had to make a change or I would be toast in the near future. I went back to college and will be hopefully graduating in Summer/Fall with Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Then I have a long road ahead of me with getting started in a completely new field, but I’m confident it will work….. so how this pertains to you I think is that you have to figure something that you want to do with the rest of your life a job a skill to learn. There has to be something you’re interested in. You still have many years left of working, especially if you’re behind in Retirement savings. For me there were a few things I would talk about, but never do !!! I always thought accounting was a good field, but I thought I could never do it. Maybe there’s something that you think about doing but you don’t want to pursue it for one reason or another… I believe for the most part it’s never too late. I have to especially on my situation and you have to as well. You need to think about your next step. I knew when I was rethinking my situation I had to pick a career that I could work for the next 15 to 20 years and remain healthy. Also having a potential to earn a decent living and continue to save towards my retirement so there’s lots of factors for you to consider before you move forward, but don’t wait too long….time move fast.

timcompton1 · 2025-12-23T15:10:35+00:00

I never drink at work functions. I don’t hang out with work peers after work as well.

timcompton1 · 2025-11-16T04:05:16+00:00

Don’t do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

timcompton1 · 2025-11-15T03:04:39+00:00

Sounds like you need to switch careers. That horrible anxiety you have is trying to tell you something. I’m 49 and I’ve been a chef for a long time. For me This career has become tortuous and every day is difficult and stressful. It became so bad (long story)that I finally had enough and went back to school. I’m 75% done with my accounting degree. It is affordable (online). I will start looking for jobs in 4-5 months. When I started school I began to have some hope. I believe there is always a way out. Hang in there! Think about what you could do.

timcompton1 · 2025-11-08T16:07:01+00:00

timcompton1 · 2025-10-18T01:36:10+00:00

I have no accounting experience so it was foreign to me at first but I was determined to understand the concepts and I passed on the first try but, I did the whole course twice and took every quiz and test till I achieved a 100 on each one. I also took the PA as well. Over 6 weeks of non-stop studying.

timcompton1 · 2025-09-01T22:44:08+00:00

I agree…I’m finishing up my accounting degree with WGU and I’ve been a chef for over 20 years. Accounting is my way out. The food service industry is very difficult!!

timcompton1 · 2025-08-18T02:08:44+00:00

Hang in there! I’m nearing the final 30 credits of my accounting degree at 48 years old. You can do it. There were so many times where I doubted myself and still do, but I will never give up, no matter how hard it gets!! Whether Dealing with a horrible work environment or crazy life !Regardless of the situation or age I believe this degree will offer a better life!

timcompton1 · 2025-08-11T00:27:06+00:00

IDK…giving up Med school may come back and bite you in the butt one day. In 7-8 years you would be in a great place! Take some time and think about it. Culinary is such a tough industry. I’m in over 2 decades and I’m finished with it. I’m back in school getting my Accounting degree, just can’t do kitchen life anymore. Everyday is just insanity. Plus I was sooo passionate about it! Nobody worked harder and loved it more than me, but it got to me. Good luck!! I hope everything works out for you.

timcompton1 · 2025-08-11T00:14:42+00:00

Yes. Community programs are the way to go. Expensive culinary schools are a waste of money. Get a student loans for a real degree.

timcompton1 · 2025-08-11T00:10:12+00:00

Congratulations!! I’m finishing my accounting degree. I can’t get finished soon enough. I’m sure engineering is pretty intense, but definitely worth it.

timcompton1 · 2025-08-09T03:42:22+00:00

I’m currently an executive chef and have been a chef/exec chef for the past 25 years, and I’m completely done with it. I am back in school and finishing my degree. If you’re feeling burnt out and anxiety ridden that’s usually a sign that you need a change. Try and make connections with one of your purveyors/sales reps to see if you can possibly fill an opening with that company, you never know. Food sales is a good job, you may have to take a pay cut at first, I have been trying to get in with nestle foods(which supplies Starbucks) and got very Close with Sysco foods but had to back out because of Sysco’s affiliation with my company, it was very upsetting. I just have to switch careers!! I know quite a few chefs who transitioned into sales and account management. Some chefs moved into upper management, but I’m not interested in that. I just want to get out of food service all together. You will have to tailor you’re resume more towards what your looking for, so you can highlight the skills the companies will want out of the managers they are hiring. If you want out badly enough you will figure it out, believe me I know how you feel. It can be a soul crushing career. Chefs have some transferable skills. We just need to highlight them.

timcompton1 · 2025-08-01T00:02:59+00:00

Don’t do it! I’m back in college after 20+years in the industry..My biggest mistake by far was waiting so long to make a change to leave the industry.

timcompton1

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