<p>So next week I'm headed back to school for pre-nursing. The last time I was in college was back in 2002 and it was for only one semester. I want to go back for a career change. I know there are many students out there that go to college at an older age than myself but I'm still anxious about it. </p>
<p>Are there any other people here that are going through the same thing currently or have gone through it? Did you feel the same anxiousness as I'm going through right now? I feel weird going back as a freshman being with the "just out of high school students". I've visited the campus a few times and it's an odd feeling to be around other younger people that I feel may have nothing in common with me.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. Colleges are full of people of all ages. Nobody really cares.</p>
<p>I’m a 26 year old college sophomore. I’m older than a lot of my classmates, but once you get settled in it isn’t a big deal. There will be people close to your age, no matter what that age may be, and people you’ll find common ground with.</p>
<p>I am a waaay older college student (one of my kids has graduated college and the other is about to - and I was not exactly a baby when I had them). I did feel a little anxious and it does sometimes feel a little odd. I started off at a CC and there were more older than average students there (or perhaps the much smaller campus just made me more aware of them). So I was quite comfortable there and even made a few friends to chat with. </p>
<p>Now I am at a large State U finishing up. I felt really uncomfortable and out of place at first. I occasionally see older students but have not had many (any?) classes with any. I have been a bit hesitant to put myself forward as far as chatting to other students (I feel that the last thing some young students want is someone their Parents age chatting to them). But now, in my second semester, I have actually had several students start talking to me. A couple of them I have had classes together last semester and they recognized me. I think that makes a difference.</p>
<p>So yes, it can feel a bit odd. But on the whole it has been a very positive experience.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I’ve done it twice. Once in my twenties, and once … well much later 
First couple of times I did engineering, and the last time I just completed an Art degree. It is weird, but usually not in a bad way. The other students are shy around you, but a smile and a few words usually takes care of that. Most straight from HS students are scared, and have little life experience, so you will find some gravitate to you just to find out about life. Also, this time you get to talk back to teachers. Big bonus. You will find you make way more friends with professors than you did before. </p>
<p>In the end I walked out the last time with friends half my age. I learned a lot from them, and they from me. So go ahead and feel weird, and every now and then walk off campus to a coffee shop to be around “real people” for a reboot. After a few weeks you will fit in just fine.</p>