I'm 28 years old, and going to college, how will I fit in?

Question

After being in the workplace for 7 years, I quit my job and enrolled in college full-time. I moved about 4 hours away from everything and I'm now living in a pretty large college-town.
I'm just a little concerned about fitting in. I'm over the partying/drinking scene, and I'm more interested in focusing on school.
Anyone have any experience they can offer? Any ideas on what it would be like for a 28 year old to try to fit in with 18-21 year olds?
THANKS!

Answer 1

Many colleges have an organization just for students like you. At my Alma Mater the name of the group was LOTAS- meaning
Little Older Than Average Students. Why don't you check with the activities office on your campus and see if they have a chapter on your campus? Good Luck and I'm proud of you! It takes a lot of courage to go back to school after 7 years!

Answer 2

You can hang out with all the other 28 year olds in college. I went to college when I was 22 and left when I was 24 so I get the idea a bit. Try to find you a young girl friend. The people who put themselves through college are more mature regardless of how young/old they are. Also Married people are more mature. Look for people with kids too.

I say this because after a person turns about 16 maturity doesn't come from age, it comes from experience. People mature at very different rates in adulthood.

As you get further along in your college, you will find the age of the students goes up faster than the number of years of school. 18 year old freshmen, 20 year old sophomores, 22 year old juniors, 24, 25, 26, 27 year old seniors. Lots of people quit and restart school.

Answer 3

I went back to school fulltime when I was 28 I had a wife and 2 kids and a full time job that requires 60-80 hrs a week. I graduated with a 3.8GPA.Your instructors will respect you a lot more and you will be more serious about your education and success the younger ones in your class. I felt out of place at first. After a very short while the younger ones started coming to me for help. I was always happy to help. I am so glad that I waited to go to college.

Answer 4

I think that you will not be the only 'older' person on campus. Colleges are way more diversified than high schools, meaning you'll get so many more walks of life there. And not ALL students are into the partying scene, there are even some young ones who have their heads on straight and prefer to put their noses in the books and stay focused. You'll do fine. I think you are making a wise decision to go back to school. You may even be an inspiration to your younger classmates. Keep up the good work and good luck!

Answer 5

I'm 31 and is in my final semester. The biggest problem that I have is when the younger pupils ask questions just to be silly. You don't have to act the way they do....there will be others your age and older there, so for studying purposes, you'd probably want to choose them. I'll admit that I was a big time party person and still will from, time to time, but my thought process is much more stable at my older age. Good luck....

Answer 6

you will probably find you are not the only mature student and you may find that some of the 18-21 year olds dont want to hang with the other 18-21 year olds

I went back when I was in my 30's and there was 1 woman my age, one older and one young one we hung out together all the time and it was great!

Answer 7

I would say seek out students in your age bracket. Speak with your faculty advisor activities or things you can get involved in with people your own age.

I'm interested to see others reponses to your questions as I will be enrolling in a university in January and I'll be 31 next March. It should be interesting.

Answer 8

I enrolled at 30 and you will probably get way better grades.
I did all my homework and didn't goof off because doing 20 year old partying didn't appeal to me.

You will be surprised how many people your age and older will be there too.

Answer 9

I think it will be frustrating for you at first, because the predominantly 18 year-old freshmen won't know how to react to you. Stick it out, though, because the payoff of the college degree will be worth it. And eventually, you'll be one of the crew, albeit one with more life experience, so you'll likely be the one your classmates go to for advice.

Answer 10

Tough situation. But you can't help it. Just face it. Be normal and don't try to act like your younger class-mates. You might end up become a laughing stock. Sooner or later you will fit in when they realise that you are a decent guy.