I’m a noob and I was working in “object mode” and went to click on the menu to get back to “edit mode” and all that’s there is " object mode". If I create a new file the whole menu is there though, but what’s the point of starting over? Please help!
you have probably selected an object that doesn’t have an edit mode, like the camera or a light. Just select your model and then press tab (or select edit mode from the menu)
still no luck 
any other ideas?
There’s a difference between “Selected” and “Active”; you can select many ways but an object can only be made Active by selecting it with RMB. The Active object’s name will be displayed in the bottom-left of the 3D window and in F9 buttons in the Link and Materials tab.
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sweet! it was the RMB thanks!