<p>I think maybe this thread should be combined with the thread on taking a gap year/5th yr of high school</p>
<p>Students who are a little older and are delibrately choosing to attend college- rather than heading into it because they don't know what else to do/parents pushing, may be less likely to behave irresponsibly</p>
<p>That's a really good point. I am the child of two college professors and also occasionally teach college courses myself. All three of us have found that our older students tend to be more focused and give less excuses. We've always chalked it up to not only maturity, but also the fact that these students are usually paying for everything themselves and want to get their money's worth. They have also been in the working world without a degree and realize that it's getting harder and harder to get your foot in the door without one as time passes so they are serious about finishing their degree. They are far less likely to roll into class hung over in the morning.</p>