I’m 22 and am just starting my college major (mechanical or industrial engineering). I am almost a junior by credits, but I had to take off three different semesters for hospital visits and didn’t have the math to get immediately into engineering.
How do you cope with being the oldest one in the class?
Do you have any advice on being a non traditional student?
Are you finding it difficult really? You aren’t very older. When I think nontrad, I think 10 or 20 years older. Not that is worth asking the question in advance. Many state schools average age is 27.
Maybe it’s just the classes or schools I’ve been in, but yes. In most of my classes I am the oldest one.
I guess maybe I’m not a non traditional. But it feels like it. =/
I’m 41 years old. I’m usually the oldest person in my classes and that includes the teacher. I don’t worry about being the oldest. I’m there for myself, for my education, for my future.
I don’t have to worry about making friends or connections. Why? Because I’m highly visible in my classes and my fellow student see that I’m serious about doing well so they routinely seek me out for study groups and such.
Just concentrate on your academic success. That’s what counts.
I’m 23, but I look like I could be 18-20, so it always shocks people, and I’m sure they’re wondering why I’m still at community college. I’m more worried when I transfer, too. I don’t know the average age, and I know it shouldn’t matter but it’s something that bothers me while years are passing at community college and I’m still lingering around. With the classes I take and the way the students act I can tell a lot of the time I’m older. Unfortunately, I have no advice, but reassurance that you’re not alone.
Well, I’m going back to my last year in boarding school in 3 weeks, and I had to take 2 semesters off during different school years, I’m going back to my 2nd senior year (after having 2 junior years) and I’m going to turn 20. going into freshmen year of college being 20, i feel weird for being in high school at 20, but I guess age will have its advantages eventually
I’m 31 and on my last couple of semesters before I graduate and transfer. I started when I was 28, and it really took me a few semesters to get comfortable enough to be social. I thought starting college as an older student was kind of thrilling, and made me feel young again. Luckily I look really young for my age, i’ve been told I look 22-24 years old, so I think that helps me blend in and most students are surprised when they find out i’m older and married. As long as you keep focused on your academics and don’t go in expecting to have a huge social life, you’ll find yourself making friends with your classmates. Once you start going to school regularly after a few semesters you’ll see the same students around, people will get used to your face, and it’ll be easier to feel apart of the student body.
I am starting full time college in my thirties. I appear much younger, but it has been fine socializing with my classmates at a diverse school.
When I took a college class at age 16, I was grateful for the chance to interact with adults instead of teenagers. For students 18-20 years old, having a 21+ friend is often a good thing.
How to cope with being a non-trad student? Well, just be yourself. Just go and get it over with.
Something about being in my late 40’s and back in school and even the professor being young enough to be my kid…lol!
Oldest in the class? o-O By 4 years or less?
I’ve had people who were at least 60 in class with me when I was 18. No one cares. Yeah, at 60, we looked at them a little older and different/professional/wiser/not as casual since they were 4 times our age, not 4 years older. Some were 40something and blended in so we didn’t notice. A girl in my dorm at 18 was 28… she seemed “older” to us but not 28, and we didn’t care.
The average age in many non-traditional adult education programs is 28. Some programs it’s 40s.
Meh. You’re there for a degree, not for friends.
Yeah, if you’re 40 or 50, or heck- 35-- still wanting to have keg parties with 18 year olds at college and pal around with just college-aged school buddies, that’s not the healthiest life choice. People don’t have as much in common if they’re decades in age difference, but that doesn’t mean a person can’t make some friends. If you just want an education, you can get that at any age.
After a semester or two you end up seeing some of the same people in class/around, and can fit in. Or join a student group. You’re not an “outsider” because you’re old (LOL, same age as everyone else there)-- but you feel that way because you’re new and don’t know anyone yet. Everyone feels like they don’t fit in at first, whether that’s at 18, 22, 42, or 82.
“Meh. You’re there for a degree, not for friends.”
But a good friend network genuinely helps with getting the degree. Learning extends outside the classroom. Study groups, group projects, pre- and post-class discussions, etc.
There’s a difference between wanting to have keg parties with 18-year-olds and wanting to be part of the social community of learning.
In my experience, there are some students like the ones @CoffeeBlack describes, who see the difference in those agendas and welcome non-traditional students into their scholastic activities even if they don’t invite them to their keggers.
There are also some students who assume that the 40+ year old asking “Hey, want to get together and go over these problem sets?” is a weirdo creeper with a Peter Pan complex, even though all he legitimately wants is to study and learn with his peers.
In general, my policy has been - and my advice is - “Follow the fit where you find it.” It’s easier to create a social and intellectual bond with those who are already open to it than it is to try to change the mind of anyone whose opinion of you is clouded by assumptions.