16 year old in college....?

Question

Hi...
I graduated high school and now I'm in college at 16. I'm taking a few courses and commuting there. It's pretty stressful, especially being the youngest. I'm SO not into partying and drinking...Most of the people I know are. I'm making friends at school and I talk to classmates...but mostly I just hang out with old high school friends who are still attend high school. It seems to me that I'm a little young to take this on, and maybe I'm missing out a bit on the college experience. The studying is intense and I do miss my peers. I didn't expect to miss high school so much. My question is, is this normal to feel as a freshman or do you think I should wait till my peers catch up and go to college (and possible move out) then? I don't hate it, I just feel a little misplaced. My senior friends all moved out and seem to enjoy it. Thanks for your help everyone.

Thank you all so much, you have no idea how much each post helped (except for the 1st haha) I'm gonna just go for it and live at home thru college (thanks Hot Mama for convincing me). Ain't no shame in that Thanks!!! !

Answer 1

Wow...I've been there and know exactly how you feel!

At the time, it seemed like this huge deal. I can remember feeling SO different from all the students at the university, and missing my high school friends, and all the fun stuff I did there. Looking back on it (at the wise age of 25which really is not as far away as you probably think) I made WAY too big of a deal out of my age and being in college.

Most of the 18 year olds in your class are feeling a lot of what you are- minus the apprehension about age. And I can promise you that they dont think about your age nearly as much as you do, if they do at all. Now, I work with a small group of people ranging in age from 18-40 and we all treat each other the same. I have a kid now, but still like to spend the evening out with one of the eighteen year-old girls here. We have a lot in common and she is a good friend.

The other thing that probably makes you feel like you stand out is the drinking thing. I can remember feeling self conscious when my friends were drinking and I couldnt. I learned that it was another thing I thought about way more than they did. My advice, and please take it since I can't fo back and give it to myself at your age, is to loosen up. Have fun with everything, and approach every situation and person as though they already think you are more fun than anyone you know. Take the lead, you are obviously god at it if you are in this situation, and make things happen around you. If you dont feeling comfortable going to clubs...dont follow along with people. Initiate the nights activities...is there a good movie out, a new coffee shop you want to try, or maybe you feel like shopping with the girls... Also, were your high school friends are conscrened, dont forget them. Spend as much time as you can with them and have fun being 16. Some of my best friends are still hs friends, and I have done a lot of living and moving around in the years since I graduated.

Go out there and live. Enjoy it. And be proud of what you are. You have worked hard to get there...and you should, but just know that it doesnt get much easier, and now is your chance to work hard without the distractions of life getting in the way.

GOOD LUCK!

Oh yeah-- I never feel liek I missed out on any "high school" activities when I look back on it. When I was living it I always worried that I would. Dont look back- look forward.

Answer 2

Anyone in your position would feel the same way I think. I am on the other side of things and am a bit older than most of the kids in my college classes. Not relating to people you spend so much time with can be very stressful. You might have the same problem though, with kids your own age too.

There are many people who feel that 16 is too young for college an this is one of the reasons they would cite. HOWEVER, you have a great opportunity to kick start your life and if you are up to the challenge it will serve you well. Just remember one thing, just because you don't think you have a lot in common with people, you might be wrong. Have you tried any campus groups or anything, depending on the settings there might be opportunities to make friends who are in similar positions.

Perhaps honor societies etc... many of these groups do good campus and community work and have social gatherings that are not generally centered on drinking.

Keep your chin up, there are other people out there who know how you feel, you just may need to do a little extra work to find them.

Answer 3

Stick with it and you will graduate college A LOT earlier than everyone else.. Be able to move on in life earlier.. The only real reason to wait to go to school is if you want to live there and get drunk/smoke or have sex with random people.. That's all you gain by being 18 and living on campus.. I think everyone feels a little wierd, misplaced. I started college classes when I was 15 so I wasn't old enough to drive so I totally felt outta place, but it's worth it!! Stick with it..

Answer 4

I was 17 when I started collage, I'm 19 now. I graduated 1 and 1/2 early, but I was put into school late. I completely know the exact way you feel. Honestly, do you know how cool that is to start school so early? Nothing is hotter than somebody who is very intellegent. Keep going to school, you'll friends will catch up soon, but it's not about your friends really any more. They are important, but they won't get you a good job, and a home. Now, I'm not saying that your friends aren't important, because they are. And actually, it's healthy to go and spend time with them from time to time. When you get a little older, it'll hit you hard, because it took a while to hit me too. Listen carefully, once you get into collage, it changes, everything. Your best friends change, you change, your desires change. You become more prominant in the way you live, and you kinda start seperating. It's sad, and you won't believe me, but it's going to happen. I said, No Way! is that going to happen to me, but it did. I still talk to my friends from time to time, but it's all about school. I'm all good because in 10-15 years I'll have this great job that pays over 150$ an hour doing something that I love to do. Your friends love you, and I'm sure you love your friends, and they are important, but collage life is tough and it's going to consume your life for a while- but it's all worth it. I'm going for psychology, I swiched careers 5 times already, but this one seems to fit the bill. So if you feel like you can't find what you want to do, it's normal. It's going to be tough. You might as well set out for your career now, and sacrifice. Hey, if you have the time and money, do it. I'm serious, you are so lucky- Not everbody has that. You'll be so happy when you have finished, how accomplished you'll feel. So roll your sleeves up and get working. You have my support.

Answer 5

I think you have a very good perspective on your situation. Even though intellectually, you are ahead of your high school classmates, it's a big jump in emotional development for a 16-year old to go to college.

If you're allowed, try to stay involved in high school activities and stay involved with your peers. You can be someone they look up to when they begin college themselves.

If you're really unhappy, talk to your parents about finishing high school and just taking one college course one evening a week or something.

You're doing right by not getting into the party scene so early. You'll have plenty of time for that later on. Good luck.

Answer 6

I began school at sixteen (moved up 2 years in college) and adored it! Just in view that you are more youthful doesn't suggest you will not make any peers and can mess all of it up. I met my companion there and I'm nonetheless with him at 19 years of age :) A sixteen 12 months historic school scholar may not reduce to rubble the 12 months any longer than any 18 12 months historic will. People underestimate teens widely. *EDIT* I do not believe it is suitable for anybody below sixteen-17 although... Simply in view that you are particularly now not on the equal adulthood stage because the others there. I would not particularly speak to a 14/15 12 months historic at school, readily in view that I recognize I'd don't have anything in traditional with them.

Answer 7

well I'm 19 years old and I'm in my second year of college. at the beginning everyone feels weird and misplaced mostly because you will always be with older people in class there is no age difference in college only major difference. i say stick to it and study it will do you good to finish faster because then you can enjoy the job of your dreams faster and be independent sooner. if your stressed go out but didn't do anything dramatic because you might be sorry later that you let such a good opportunity go. as for your friend you would probably not have many classes with them anyway.

Answer 8

Well, if you're in a community college or a school that will let you come part time, I would lessen the number of credit hours you are taking. Then once you turn 18, transfer to a place that isn't a party school and you'll still get plenty of the college experience.

Answer 9

Your are young to be in college that is for sure. It is normal to feel out of place because you are out of place. You might be able to take on the school work, but socially you are out of your element and not developed to the point of your fellow college students. It is unfortunate that you aren't still in high school so that you could enjoy your life and have some real friends. You are going to rush through your college life and not have an opportunity to enjoy high school OR college. That is the price you have to pay (I guess) for being on an academic fast track.

Answer 10

I am a lot older than my classmates and all of my friends are already in careers. So I have a little understanding of how you feel. Yes it is normal to feel the way that you do.

Stay where you are don't leave collage. keep going you have a great gift don't loose it because you miss your friends