Advice for going back 2 college at 26 y/o.?

Question

I'm 26 and most of the students there are 18!!!

It is my second career, but still I am affraid I'll feel ackward or younger people will look weird at me, please! advice! I am seriously thinking about not going because of this (I have lready been accepted)

Answer 1

Congratulations for doing this! Now follow through. . .with courage!

You are investing in yourself and your future. . .so it will be worth it. This is not a competition. . .nor should you expect that you will have things in common with fellow classmates in order to be successful in school (or to enjoy its social aspects).

Btw. . .at the age of 28 I quit my job and spent two years in an MBA program 2,000 miles from home. . .it was a real adjustment for me. . .even though this is what is expected from MBA students.

Be open to new ways to find friends (reasonably close to you in life experience, maturity, etc.). . .and that you have a leg up on them in that you HAVE been in the real world for a while and know that theoretical BS has its place in stretching the mind, learning how to think creatively and strategically.. .but rarely is the exact content (and context) readily applicable to what you will end up doing once you have that diploma. . .hmm. . .how many 18-21 year olds know this when they are in the thick of learning?!

(And how many of them will use their spare time wisely. . .while in college. . .networking. . .talking with college alumnis. . .planning for that killer job upon graduation. . .you have a shot at doing this. . .knowing first hand how the real business world works.)

Once again. . .congratulations!

Answer 2

I was 45 when I went to college for the first time. Heck, I was older than a lot of my professors. It's NEVER too late to go back to school. An education is something that no one can ever take away from you once you have it. I have an AA in Social Sciences, a BA in English Literature, and am now working on a Master's. I'm 56 and will probably be a student for the rest of my life! Go for it!!

Answer 3

A lot of people go back to school at all ages. I went at 30. It wasn't a big deal. You will see that there are students that are a lot older than you and a lot younger, and a lot will be your same age. Don't worry about it.
Don't worry about what time of day to go. Go when you can go. I do not recommend On-Line courses. They are a lot of work. I took an on line course and it was so hard to keep up just because of all of the reading and writing you have to do on-line and in the text. But anyway, these days, there isn't a set age for going to college anymore. Just GO! Go For It!

Answer 4

Definitely go back to school if you want to! I am 25 and am back in college. There are people in my classes that are 18 and 19 and there are some that are 35 and 40. I even had a class last semester that a 58-year-old woman was in so it doesn't really matter. But if you've already been accepted you should go and continue your education. Good luck!

Answer 5

I did the same thing. For the first year, I felt I was creepy old guy. But truthfully, its not a big deal. Most of your core classes will have freshman in it and they are more concerned about how they feel then your concerns. But once you start going into your major, its a breeze. Those classes have older students and have been their for a while. Also, unless you look old, people will assume that you look older for your age. It is no reason to stop your education. Value that more than your appearence

Answer 6

Believe me, you will not be the oldest there. I went to uni at seventeen and was one of the youngest since many of the class were in their thirties. I'm now back at uni and the class demography is split between the early twenties and folk in their thirties and forties.

Also, uni is not like it's shown in the films. Most students are there are adults, not overgrown kids who spent the entire time partying and doing no work (the ones who do have this philosophy will probably disappear after the first week of classes). So I'm sure you'll be fine and younger people will be happy to befriend you if you appear nice and friendly. Suss out anyone who is sitting alone and join them and take advantage of group sessions to get to know people in your class.

Don't let you age put you off. These days, little old grandparents are off to uni in their seventies so you're just a kid compared to them! And if they can do it after years of being away from school then I'm sure you'll be fine.

Answer 7

Go for it!! It's never to late. They may be younger than you
but you've got more of life's experiences under your belt.
You also know what you want and need to to further your
2nd career. With hard work and determination on your
part, you'll be just fine. Stop thinking about what the youngsters
will think. I'm sure most of them will accept you and encourage
you to succeed. Good Luck!!!

Answer 8

I am 38 and doing the same thing. Don't worry about it. Most students don't have a problem working with someone a bit older. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of folks your age and older who are going back to school.

Answer 9

No Worries!! Just Do It! You will find you're in the middle of the age group. Since our goverment has let us down and corperations only care for $$$ most of us will be going back several times to start a new career or update skills. Its the new American way! Study and work till you die.

Answer 10

26 is soooooo young! Go for it! You will really get a lot more out of college now that you appreciate it. There will be older people than you there. No one will look weird at you! You should be proud of yourself, I don't even know you and I am very proud of you!!! I wish you the best of luck and I know you will be totally happy with your your decision to go to college.