<p>I hope that this is the right spot and I apologize if it's a thread that's been done to death.</p>
<p>To sum up my life story -</p>
<p>I'm 21 (turning 22 in September) and I've spent the last three years doing absolutely nothing. I originally intended to go to college after waiting a year (so in fall of '08) but I still felt overwhelmed and anxious about it and I put it off even longer. I'm now starting college this fall three years later than most people. :</p>
<p>Because of my age and time spent away from school I'm going to be attending a community college initially. My plan is to transfer out of C.C. and go to a university within the next few years. At that point I'll probably be pushing 24. </p>
<p>The problem comes in at that point. I've felt kind of bad for the last few months when I came to the realization that I totally missed out on the "college experience." and will only continue to miss out on it by going to C.C. first. I always wanted to do the whole dorm thing even though it may not be exactly like it is in my "fantasy". :P</p>
<p>So my question is simple - Will I feel like a creepy ****** if I'm 24ish years old and living in dorms with a bunch of 18-20ish year old kids? Will my social life suffer? I can't imagine a 24 year does a whole of partying with 18-20 year old people, and if they do they probably feel like an old ass. </p>
<p>PS: I do plan on taking my education seriously, I just need to stop being a social recluse. </p>
<p>(Edit: I'm starting to think this might have been more appropriate for the college life forum. Dumb idiot is dumb.)</p>
<p>Have a look at My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a Student
by Rebekah Nathan. It’s about a professor who went undercover as a first year student and lived in the dorms - obviously older than you are, but might give you some insight as to the dorm experience.</p>
<p>Some of them will have age policies for their dorms (21+ and older dorms, or no one older than 24 in a certain dorm). Some colleges specifically have dorm communities set up for older students (Mills College comes to mind). </p>
<p>Realize at many 4 year colleges dorm life is still not the norm. SJSU has a huge commuter population. UofOregon, after freshman year, the vast majority of kids live off campus. My husband went to Berkeley and he moved out of the dorms as fast as he could into a co-op. </p>
<p>It is a bit of a mistake to equate dorm living=4 year college experience. I think it might be even more important to be deeply immersed in college campus life (the stuff that happens out of the classroom … but not necessarily in a dorm room). Hanging out 24/7 in a computer lab, stealing cafe trays and sliding down the hill behind Old Main (a St.Olaf thing), being in the college marching band, attending parties, watching TV in the dorm lounge – all these are that “college life” thing and do NOT require actually living in the dorm.</p>
<p>Freshman dorm years the kids tend to be uber-self conscious, rude, overly bulimic, loud, neurotic, depressed, narcissistic, and insecure. You aren’t missing much. Really. Upper-class dorm living is slightly better, the main perk being convenience - roll out of bed and you are 100 yards or so from class - rather than social. Because by upper-class years, socialization tends to run NOT in dorm packs but by activities cultivated by the student on campus (clubs, etc.)</p>
<p>I vote that unless the campus is geared toward older dorm students, to skip the dorm, get a great apartment off campus, and just dive deep into college life - academically and clubs/activities related to your major and plenty that are not.</p>
<p>Thanks Annika, you’ve helped me quite a bit. :)</p>
<p>I think I’m just getting incredibly stressed about starting college. I want to tear my eyeballs out for putting it off for three years. I worry about being the guy that struggles to find a social circle to fit into due to the possibility of me being perceived as an older guy just stopping off at school because I made a mistake or had to switch careers or something. In reality I’m just a late bloomer who is in the exact same boat, with the exact same mentality as all the 18-19 year old freshmen. </p>
<p>I suppose everyone has “agita” over school though. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Starting at a CC is smart. Chances are that you won’t be the only person your age in your classes, and if you take evening or weekend classes chances are you will be one of the youngest ones! You aren’t going to be a “creep” at all there.</p>
<p>When you transfer, do ask about your on-campus housing options. Some places will allow you to live in graduate student housing because of your age. </p>
<p>I agree with annika’s last sentence: you should probably get an apartment while still making sure to participate in college activities. Keep the academics at the top of the priority list. In the end, that is the best part of college–really.</p>
<p>You know, I absolutely hated dorm life. When I got out of the dorm, my appreciation for the opportunities college offered me increased a thousand-fold.</p>
<p>I agree w/other advice. You probably won’t want your social circle to be 19 year olds who constantly want you to go buy beer. Frankly you’ll have more in common with a 30 year old than a 19 year old.</p>
<p>Actually, I don’t even drink or do drugs or anything so I may just be spazzing out for no reason. I didn’t mean I actually had the maturity level of an 18 year old, more that I have the lack of experience of an 18 year old. :P</p>
<p>Again, I did NOTHING for the three years I was out of school - which is why I’m an ass.</p>
<p>Aside from dissuading me from my dorm aspirations a bit, this thread actually helped me out as far as learning of living alternatives in college - thanks guys. :)</p>
<p>Depending upon what college you go to, you may find that there are a lot of older students. Ask the housing office to assign you to a room with an older student (they will likely do it on their own). Starting out school at your age is not as unusual as you might think.</p>
<p>@Leary: you’re probably a college age student at heart. You may not have a lot of patience with some silly behavior/concerns you’ll find there, but going away to college is a great experience, no matter when you finally get to go.</p>
<p>Back in the day a few transfer students on our mostly frosh floor were very popular because they could buy beer. However as for making friends and building a social group, you’d probably be happier if you could live on a dorm floor made up primarily of transfer students who will be closer to you in age.</p>