<p>Due to compulsory military service, I won't be entering college until a month after my 20th birthday. I was just wondering how this would affect my experience. Would you care that someone was 1-2 years older? Would you even ask? How many people do you know that started college older than 18, and how are their experiences different?
Also, how would you as a college student react to hearing that your roommate/friend is/was a sergeant in the military police, a rank which encompasses a full reaction-force soldier (professional/contracted soldier), sergeant, and police officer education?</p>
<p>Nobody will care. I took English (first year course) in my 3rd year when I was 19 and some change and I still made a bunch of friends in that class that were a 1-2 years younger. No one acted differently. I'm also taking a bunch of 2nd year courses next year in my 4th year. And in my first year I knew a lot of people that didn't start school until older (19-21) and I never thought much differently of them.</p>
<p>Nobody is likely to care. I've had courses with a bunch of 40 and 50 year olds before.</p>
<p>I wouldn't want to hang out with 40 and 50 year olds.</p>
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Would you care that someone was 1-2 years older? Would you even ask? How many people do you know that started college older than 18, and how are their experiences different?
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<p>No, I would not care, and I would not ask. I have taken classes with students who have served four years in the military. You're more mature than the average eighteen-year-old, but you're not visibly older. So, your experience shouldn't be radically different.</p>
<p>It's not like you are much older. They might just assume that you are taking your general ed classes later on.</p>
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I wouldn't want to hang out with 40 and 50 year olds.
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<p>I've noticed (at least in my school) that the older the student, the...eh, slower they are at grasping things taught.
They also seemed more desperate to make friends.</p>
<p>^I've noticed that too with the students over 30. Since the OP is entering after 2-3 years, it might not be so bad for him. My piece of advice is to not be afraid to start at the lower level classes (especially math) if you feel like it is your weak subject or if you don't think your ready to jump in where you left off. If you don't understand/remember within the few few days, get out and drop a few levels. I'm not trying to sound mean, but I got so mad when 1/2 the time in my math class was spent teaching the 40+ year olds how to do simple functions. I really felt cheated out of my tuition.</p>
<p>I didn't notice older students being more desperate to make friends. I figure by the time you're 30, you have some pretty well developed friendships.</p>
<p>^they try to hang out with the younger students more and always get to class early and they just have to talk talk talk talk talk. People my age aren't as bad and they don't try as hard to be friends.</p>
<p>my roommate moved to the US a few years ago and had to repeat her senior year so she started college at 19. she's 20 now. there wasn't ne diference at all in my view</p>
<p>Well, I took a gap year after my senior year. And a guy I knew just finished his 2nd gap year and is now starting college.
You will find some older kids around your age too. You are probably think will the 18-year-olds be mean to me since I am older? College is different from high school I hope.
But if you do run into some not so understanding freshmen, just remember you are getting this education for yourself. Don't let the opinion of others detract you from your future goals. Good luck!!</p>
<p>my friend started college when she was 22 because of the military. shes going to graduate the same year as me, and i dont think its weird. is it weird that i asked her out?</p>
<p>it wont matter in the slightest -- if it doesnt come up, your friends might be surprised later when they find out youre a year or two older, but nobody will (should) care</p>