I am done with the transfer process (thankfully). I will be starting college in the Spring 2022 semester and am very nervous. I feel ashamed of myself but also excited. I am currently 26 and my major will be Computer Engineering. A lot has happened in my life (dad died of malpractice and that messed me up mentally, then grand pa died, recently a family friend died, and I was also in the hospital just some weeks ago). Even though so much as happen I am still determined to finish and get my degree.
My school has a co-op program that I was thinking of participating in but I wonder if it is worth putting me behind (about a semester to a year if we include rotations). I am afraid that I won’t make friends and will be judged/treated differently because of the age difference/age gap from the traditional students. Regardless, I would say that I am much more focused and disciplined academically than when I was 18. I did very well in CC and even got into over 30 colleges. Anyways, I was wondering if any non-traditional had tips in regards to adjusting, environment, making friends, and adapting to campus? I would also appreciate other advice as well if anyone has any. Thank you!
A reasonable argument might assert that a co-op program is more valuable than time in a regular academic program.
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I’m with publisher- the extra time (assuming the finances work) getting hands-on experience can make a disproportionate difference.
Are you going to a university? if so there will be a bigger range of ages than you might expect. As you will be going into your major (as a Junior?), you won’t have as many fresh-faced 18yo first years in your classes, and classes are a great place to start making friends (foxhole friendships develop very quickly). You will have a ready-made cohort of people who are genuinely interested in the same thing you are.
You are right that being that bit older/more mature will stand to you academically. I did my education in 4 goes (UG 1, UG 2, MA, PhD), with years between each one. It was easier each time- except for the finals part. Those were just as $&(## as ever.
I was going to say that this sentence made me sad, but decided instead to tell you to take yourself by the scruff of the neck and give yourself a metaphorical kick up the backside. What a waste of energy and heart! Ashamed that you have navigated a bunch of landmines in your path and are on track to get your degree in a field you like? or is it b/c your path doesn’t look like the typical script and it took you a little longer than some to get to this point? if so, save yourself a lot of heartache and get over the idea that you are the odd one out: most people have bumps in the road. Some people hide them better and some people have other people who will fish them out when the bumps hit, but sooner or later we all hit bumps. Be proud of yourself for making it through this far.
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Really? Do you think so? I know that I would have to do 3 rotations so that is about a year or more depending. It still seems great to have such experience before I graduate despite the delay though.
Hi! Thank you so much for the response! That is exactly what I was thinking. I want to try and take of the program if possible. Right now I am done with my CC and will be entering a University. Correct! I will be entering as a junior in college (Thank goodness lol). Haha hopefully not! I assume that I will be entering classes having to do with my major and not general ed which is a plus on the age difference. I personally don’t have a problem having younger friends but I know for the students it would be weird reversed. I never really made friends in class at my CC but I will for sure try to in class! Especially since I am going to a new environment where I don’t know anyone lol. I do plan on getting involved in organizations if possible.
Do you think that it would stand out in a bad way or good way? That’s awesome! What made you want to get 2 undergrads? That is a lot of school. I am super proud of you!!! Absolutely! I think that we should ban finals xD lol jk. I will say that it is much easier for me in classes now than when I was younger. I feel a lot more prepared and ready to learn.
Haha well noted! I will be sure to give a proper kick up the backside. I’ll make sure that it will be memorable. I know that I have been having both cultural and family pressure in addition to this feeling already which is very unfortunate. I actually was just in the hospital recently and am still willing to start my classes here in a few weeks. I am proud of myself for not backing down. I guess it would be the typical script and it taking longer. I am also nervous of what employers will think but these few weeks I have been better about it and am more worried about mentally preparing for classes.
I have always been the odd one out at school for various reasons (not race wise or anything but either personality, sometimes age, fashion, and etc…). That’s very true! I actually didn’t think to look at things that way. Thank you so much! Your message truly meant a lot to me. 