I’ve been very ill most of my life, have had to take several semesters off for hospital visits, have had to work my way through college, plus not going full time. It also doesn’t help that my major has a very specific coursework and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to major in until last year.
Even though I have around 60 hours, I’ll be starting my actual coursework in the fall.
I feel completely hopeless and anxious that I’ll be in my mid twenties and still be in college. Should I even bother doing it? I want to do it, but I don’t want to be the only 27 year old graduating. I’m very lost. Part of me just wants to choose an easy major and be done in two years. But most of me wants to graduate with that degree. I guess I’m just looking for any advice or encouragement.
I offer encouragement. It is never too late. 27 is not too old for anything. If you have developed specific interests and have a goal in mind you should pursue your dream. There is no one way, one path, that everyone has to follow. When you earn your degree just think of the pride you will feel because of your accomplishment.
I go to a school with a large nontraditional population - students well into their 50s and 60s who, after a career and a family, are deciding to go back to school. There is absolutely nothing wrong with deciding to better yourself and continue your intellectual growth. Who cares how old you are relative to your graduating class? The whole point is that you are in fact graduating - that’s all that matters.
Think of how grateful you’ll be 5 years from now after you’ve secured that degree under your belt and you’re working in a field that you weren’t able to work in before. The sense of accomplishment will far outweigh any insecurities you might feel at the moment about how you stack up age wise next to your peer.
For what it’s worth, I tend to admire older students because they are the ones who are clearly taking their education very seriously. Unlike some teenagers who go off to college just to get away from mom and dad and end up with a shot liver by 19, older students aren’t drawn to the frivolities of an “experience” - they’re there to learn.
Anecdotal: I just met a partner at a big law firm in Boston who is an alum of my school. He was a non-traditional student (he was in his early 30s; he had previously dropped out of high school, got a GED, and worked various odd jobs for a little over a decade.) He described himself as a “weird old guy that sat in the front of the class” – he immersed himself in his studies, sought out extra help whenever necessary, and made the most out of his education. He ended up going onto Cornell Law (where he too was somewhat older than the average 1L) and landed a partner track gig at the aforementioned firm with over 300 attorneys and is now a partner.
My mom went to college at 40, and she was able to create an entirely new life for herself --and for us-- out of it! You are never too old to steer your own life!
Also, the choice is to be a 27 year old college graduate, or a 27 year old college dropout. Which appeals more? 27 is coming, either way. So is 37, 47, and 57, if we are lucky! Where do you want to be in those years?
Thank you so much @preamble1776 You’re right. And thank you for your story of success. I really appreciate you taking your time to write such an encouraging message. You definitely give me more motivation and I feel less lost. @redpoodles Thanks for your encouragement. No matter what I’ll graduate, I’m just not sure if I should go for an easy degree with a two year graduation or a really difficult degree with a four year graduation…
Thank you @madamecrabster. I appreciate your thoughts.
Go for the degree you want. The 2 extra years will fly by. Someday you’ll look back on it and think “I can’t believe how fast college flew by” and “I wish I were back in college”.
I kind of get this weird feeling that I somehow am behind. I keep saying that I should’ve been where I am at 23 instead of 25, but you aren’t always dealt the best cards starting out.
My advice is to make the most of it. Although I am not using my degree, it has opened a door that would not otherwise have been open to me (software engineering).
If you need a college degree to achieve your dream, go for it. You’re lucky that you know what you want to do. I did not find out until my last quarter of college that I wanted to be an engineer.
As they say, if you do go you will be 27 with a degree. If you don’t go you will be 27 without a degree. It is far better to have one and that is not that old, many students are in the same position, it isn’t at all unusual.
However, if you have 60 units and you are headed in another direction that will take you longer to graduate that is not always worth it. So it depends if you have a plan that gets you out sooner into something else, having that more many years in the workplace and gathering seniority is not to be overlooked. So if you want real advice you will discuss these alternate majors and careers.
Go for it! I was not really ready for college right out of HS, and I took a while to find my way. I moved a few times, went part time to Community college, but then eventually was able to go to a 4 yr university full time. I was that older and married non-traditional student. It was so worth it! When I graduated I felt a real sense of accomplishment, and it has changed my life for the better. It’s not a race. Keep going.
I agree with the people pointing out you will either be 27 with a degree or 27 without a degree. Once you’re in college, age doesn’t really matter. Everyone has a different story. I started when I was 17 and was relatively young compared to some of my classmates. One of my friends is 26 because he joined the Navy after high school. Another one of my friends is 22 because he did community service in Korea after he graduated. I was surprised to learn their ages because they didn’t act any different from anyone else. Nobody has to know your age, and if they do know, they won’t care.
Not too old. When my dad came to America he graduated at age 70 with a degree from Computer Science. This is not his first degree but nevertheless it’s his first in USA.
First of all, 27 is only 5-6 years after the typical graduate. That seems alot now, but when you are older it will seem like nothing.
Also, if you don’t do anything, you will just be 27 in a few years time. Do you want to be 27 with no degree, or 27 with a degree? Having a degree will increase your earning potential for the rest of your life.