Back to School at 31

Going back to school can be nerve wrecking for anyone. I am 31 years old and am finally making my way back to the classroom. It has been over 7 years since I have been to school and over 10 years since I have been in a traditional college classroom setting. In a few short days I will set foot into Front Range Community College to finish my requirements for my B.S.N. The nerves are causing my stomach to flip, my teeth to grind, and my heart to skip a beat. Will I be able to keep up? Do I remember how to study? How overwhelmed will I become?
My first hurdle to leap over was the placement test. In order to qualify for college level English and college algebra, a test is given to see if you have the skill set to succeed in these classes or if you require a lower level math or English class to help you get to the college level classes. Although I had a 4.0 in my previous college experience which included both college level English I and college level English II, the years, and the internet, have taken a toll on my sentence structure and my placement test placed me in a pre-college English course. This was a hit to my self esteem, but I realize that this pre-college course will only help me regain my writing skills and will be of massive help to me later in my college experience.
I am currently signed up for Environmental Ethics, History since the Civil War, pre-college level English, and first year Spanish. 14 credits is quite the course load, but I am trying to stay optimistic. I have created a course schedule that allows me time to study and provides adequate breaks between classes. I have set my youngest son up with a really great baby sitter that I have known for many years and trust while my older children and I attend school. I have purchased my books, have done everything needed for my financial aid, and have prepared my family for all the time I am going to need to study. While all this planning and preparation have helped me get ready for college, the nerves are still present.
I simply need to trust in myself and know that this education is something that I really want and if I work hard enough, I can do anything I put my mind to. Even at age 31.