Any older students actually go back and enjoy the social experience?

Question

I've read frequent descriptions of older college students, especially with kids or married going back and feeling separate from the student body, not getting involved in clubs/programs and focusing on their studies. Any older students get involved in student life and recapture some of the college social (friends, networking, etc.) experience? I'll be 27 when I start, but I don't have kids nor am I married so I feel separate from the older college students with more experience/responsibilities, but not quite the wacky 19yr old I was years ago.
Of course my #1 goal is my education, I was home-schooled so I'm obsessed with my education anyway!

Thanks,
Tiffany

I should have made my question more direct. I guess my question is about whether older students get involved in extracurricular programs/campus clubs and make friends (with whom?) Most of the feedback I get is from older students with big responsibilities, children and marriage. I'm not sure where I fit in. I'd like to make friends and do the social thing in addition to studying, but I don't expect invites and phone number swapping with the younger students once they hear my age but I also don't have kids or the same responsibilities as most of the "older" students. Where do I fit without making an a$$ of myself, lol!

Answer 1

Hi, I am 27( I don't have kids, not married yet) and I started to go to school full time when I was 23, which made me the oldest person in a lot of my intro core classes. I felt separated from the kids in my class, they were all fresh out of high school, and very immature, which got on my nerves, because I was always quiet in HS anyway. But for the most part, people don't shy away from you because you may be a bit older. You will always see at least one silver haired person in your class, and you'll find that a lot of the girls under 21 have kids and other major responsibilities. As far as joining clubs, yeah, do it , it looks good on you're resume, no matter your age. If you're concerned about the maturity level, in some of your English and math classes, then take them in the evening, you'll find more late 20 and early 30 somethings there. You will not be the only late 20 something in your morning classes either. The school I attend said that the average age of a freshmen is 27. Good luck.

Answer 2

LOL..... I'm 32, have a family, and just enrolled in College last fall. I was worried at first about being the "older" student... HA! There are older peeps than me there. Everyone at my school is pretty kewl though. Everyone talks to everyone. (unless you are really obnoxious and annoying) Age is not a factor there. Of course I am attending a junior college and it is quite small. Just focus on your studies then the social game 2nd. You can't always get a job with social skills, you have to know what you are doing first!! lol

Answer 3

You can check with the college you're interested in and get the stats from them to see what percentage of the student body has same the age range and ummm....domestic? situation as you... but I don't think you should worry too much about not fitting in... the college atmosphere in insanely diverse.... go for it! Have fun! Expand you social and education horizons. I promise, that's right PROMISE you won't regret going back to school.