Girls can be like that, without much regard or thought for others feelings. One of my lectures recently, I was sat next to these 2 girls who kept *****ing and slagging off people in our lecture theatre, just picking out random people and ripping them to pieces. I felt so uncomfortable but couldn't move seat! It gave a bad impression, because it was week one and it left me thinking 'geez is this how it's going to be? I thought students were meant to be open minded.' Since then though I have met some really decent people (quite a few of them mature students!). You know why you're there, to learn. They are fresh outta school and approach the whole thing differently. The ones conducting themselves in this manner are still immature. Some students appreciate/respect an older student. In my tutorials mature students are treated well and we tend to think they will be more focused and interested in the course. Hopefully you will find some students there with some common goals who you can bond with. These girls sound like they should still be in the playground. Who knows by next year, they might o dropped out, or wised up.

I hope you can hold your head high and plough through, you have a lot to offer and if a few can't see it, it is there loss. I'm sure you'll have some better experiences soon and it'll all look rosey!