A question to older college students-genuine answers only, please?
Let me give you some background on me: I just turned 24, I have 2 children, and I’m going to take classes this fall. I was going to start classes several years ago, but I had several problems with depression, anxiety, two high-risk pregnancies, and various other health problems. I am in better health, my children are a little older, and I have a pretty good support system. The thing is, I’m not a very social person-I never was, and I’m kind of worried about how things will go when I start. I mean, I know that there are people well into their 40s and 50s that start school, but I feel that I lack that self-assuredness to feel okay once I am around all of these people that will be younger than me. So-for anyone that started college later in life, can you please give me some general information on how your first semester went; if you felt out-of-place at all, and how you got over that? Genuine responses, please. I’m honestly a little scared of having this experience.
Well, as I briefly stated- I have a problem with anxiety. I worry that people will look at me, and (even though I can’t buy cigarettes without getting carded) will think ‘Damn. She’s kinda old to be here.’ Which, I know is illogical-but that doesn’t make me stop thinking about it. As for being some social butterfly…that ship has long since sailed and sunk. I have a 2 and 3 year old. I barely have time to shave my legs, much less join a wet t-shirt contest. I have no real interest in making friends (although it may be nice, and prove worthwhile later), or joining social groups-but things like study groups can be helpful, and sometimes people take my being quiet as being snobby, which I’m not. I’m just afraid that my anxiety over the age difference is going to push me off the course I’m on. If I can get over that, then I think that lowers the possibility that I will have some fit of anxiety and end up quitting.
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Filed under: Pregnancy Depression Support
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so, first of all WHY would you feel less than self-assured about being in class with younger people? are you in competition for the ‘kewl hunk’? are you in contention for the wet t-shirt queen? if you aren’t there to socialize and to hookup, then i don’t see what the possible problem is. you’re married, have a couple of kids, and have a bit of an aidea as to WHO you are as a person. you have those advantages over the kiddies. also, you are more mature in your thought processes, and have a real desire to attend college, as opposed to going because you have no better idea how to spend time. you say that you aren’t a social person. well, why would you have to be social, since you aren’t going to attend school for all the parties and flirting, you’re going to get an education.
when i went back to college, when my oldest was 1, i certainly felt a little out of place, but, then, i was there for the education, and i put my efforts into that. i made some friends, both in faculty and other students, but, that wasn’t until i felt a little more at ease, like after i blew the rest of the class away on an exam! life experience will give you another perspective on school. relax and enjoy the experience, and get all the knowlege you can!
i started college last sept im 44 all rest of class was under 19 but after 2 weeks i was part of their groups and realy enjoyed it so go and enjoy your self
Sounds familiar, not to me but I met people like that. Honestly, people don’t interact that much outside school. Some talk, others don’t talk much.
I got a degree years ago (on time), then went back years later for additional courses.
Oh, you won’t be the only older student. (at 24 you are hardly “older”)
Even if you are in some classes, as I said, some talk, others are quiet. You will blend right in, don’t worry.
I started college at 19 like most people, but I can tell you that there are several people in all my classes who are around 24. Some of them waited a couple years after high school before starting college, and some of them have been part time students for several years and will probably graduate in another year or two. Many of them have children and/or spouses. Being 24 in college is very common. The college atmosphere is a lot more mature than the high school atmosphere, so you won’t feel like you’re going to class with a bunch of immature kids, with the possible exception of some of the 101-type classes that Freshmen have to take. It’s not a big hierarchy of kids and their cliques like high school; it’s a group of adults who won’t exclude you or make you feel out-of-place. Trust me, the atmosphere is so different in college. And don’t worry about not knowing anyone. Most people don’t, except for some of the kids who came from the area high schools.
Congratulations. I really think you’ll do fine. I just went back full time. I’m 46, so it’s a little different. If anything, I had an advantage just by having more maturity and judgment.
I can honestly say, nobody cared what my age was. My school experience had a lot more to do with good teacher or bad teacher than my age, by far.
My only problem with the kids was the ones who weren’t serious and didn’t want to be there.
If you’re going to college to learn, it’s not like high school, where school also serves as social life. Not that you won’t socialize, but you have am important life away from school.
I think you’ll do fine. Find a club for something you’re interested in, and you’ll meet like-minded people.