Any older(much older) students really enjoy school?

Question

Yikes! This is like High School! I'm 42, and I shake my head. The content is like middle school and I'm the only geek who answers questions. The kids look at me, like I'm weird and roll their eyes.

I'm just trying to get my paper, and I don't even want to go to class. I'm not trying to show off, this is just stuff I know.
I quit going to class because I can't stand the looks and the silence.
I know I don't belong. The class is stupid and all the teens stare at me, for a response. I'm not going to class. I can do the readings and show up for the last 2/3 of class.

I hate college. It's still the same ****, with the same stupid blondes, only I'm paying for it! WHAT!!!

Answer 1

I went back full-time day schedule (with 18-21 year olds) at 39 and haven't looked back yet. There were some experiences such as yours but for the most part, it was a good experience.

You need to get out of the lower level classes and into some upper level major classes to see the change in classmates. Most of the people you're talking about will fail-out by the end of this school year.

Also consider classes in the evening school - they tend to have more working adults.

You write "the kids" and "all the teens", you might want to reconsider how you're viewing them. There are no "kids" in college. There are young adults the same age as soldiers in Iraq. If we older students go in there with the attitude that "I'm as old as your mom so I know best" we lose a lot of respect - because they then wonder "then why don't you have a degree yet?" We must realize, in the scheme of academe, we too are no more than students, and they are no less than our peers. We simply have a lot more experience (maybe).

If this is really stuff you already know, then see the department chair or dean and test out of it. Almost every college offers an option to waive or test a class for credit by examination.

Answer 2

Well, I am not a much older student (I am 26) and I have been married for almost 8 years and I have a five year old and 2 year old twins. I was in college when I got pregnant with my oldest and when she was 2, I went back only to find out in the middle of the semester I was pregnant with twins and I had to stop again. I am 6 classes from being done with my BS in Early Childhood.
Although I am not much older than many traditional students, my life is different. I am some what established (I own my own home, I drive a minivan, I am a stay at home mom, etc.) and have many responsibilities that a lot of traditional students don't have. I can identify with you on the stupidity of people. I'll be glad when I am done and I don't have to deal with anymore stupid people. I can accept my degree and be a full time mommy where the people I work with (my kids) are the best coworkers in the world! Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm 27 and I love it. I even moved 8 hours away from home to go to college. Sure you have your typical airheads. They will ALWAYS be there. Theres always that awkward silence when a teacher asks a questions and no one raises their hand and then you decide to answer the question. So what, who cares what they think or aren't thinking for that matter. You may not realize it, but you're probably raising the bar and making the kids thinks more about the real world. Now, act like the adult you are and go to class because as you said you're paying for it.

Answer 4

Don't quit school. You'll breeze through it. Educators grant partial credit if you answer 1+1 = 3. Who cares if the kids stare? You're responding to questions because you know the answers. All you need to worry about is earning your degree, and you will!

Best of luck!!!!

Answer 5

I've found that higher level evening classes have the best students. All daytime classes are full of teenagers as are most evening introductory courses.

Of the many many classes I've taken, I've enjoyed two or three. I prefer learning on my own, but unfortunately you can't get credit for that.