[Mindinpieces]

Is anyone an older college student learning in a class with younger students? Do you find it makes/ doesn’t make a difference? Does anyone have an older student in the class they’re in? What do you think about it?

I know someone who went back to college last year who was 20 years old at the time, to do A levels. I can’t really go to that college as I use to date that person; people will only think I am stalking him, which isn’t the case. I just can’t get a job at the moment or be ready for work if I did get a job. So college would allow me to learn something and try and get a part time job as well. Instead of trying to find any job and hope I can give it a better go etc. I am not ready to go back to brunt of the working world just yet. I am 19 years old at moment and having extreme anxiety, low self esteem and confidence issues like most nothing out of ordinary but for me it’s hard. However the college just down road from me takes mostly school leavers. I would feel bad for going to college there but really it’s my only option. Every year I get the college prospectus but I didn't think I would be the right type of person for college or it wouldn't be fair on all the other people for me to go back, that's the low self esteem talking. So I never done anything about it and didn't consider this a real option for myself, but I want to go back to college but not sure if I would really allow myself to give it a good go or right time. I would like to do A levels myself in

- Psychology (personal use really, it may help me better understand myself and one T recommending it may be a good idea)

– English Lit/ Lang (always liked picking things apart and analysing text although my writing, spelling skills need brushing up)

– ICT (working with computers and computer systems always handy and I can generally pick them up ok)

– Travel and Tourism (I have never been abroad, wish I had the chance to, I have always loved learning about over cultures and this may help with people skills)

I would only do travel and tourism for 1 year as an AS of a A level and carry the other 3 over to the next year to gain full A level in them. That’s of course if the college accepts me or if I can bring myself to enquire about wanting to enrol late for this September. Things lately have all happened at once and now I need to act and actually do something otherwise I am going to be unemployed for a long time and getting stuck in a deeper whole then the one I am in now. Opinions please form anyone on my plan.

[Perna]

I went back when I was in my 50's! But I mostly took online, Open U. courses (here in the United States) and through a university that mostly had older students. That's what I would try if I were you; see if that university had some online courses to take one or two and see if that is what you want to be doing (and you could still look for jobs as you could do your school work whenever) and that way you would not have to worry about the age of the other students or if anyone thought you were stalking your acquaintance, etc.:

http://www.open.edu.au/public/home

[Secretum]

Honestly, I doubt that anyone would even notice that you are an "older" student. College students tend to range in age from 18-22. At 19, you're right in the middle. At least, that is how it is in the US. I'm 20 and a sophomore in college.

[SublimeChange]

Secretum is right, no one would really notice you're an older student if you're 19. I've met people on my campus who are well into their 20s, 40s, 50s taking classes and no one really made a big deal about it.

I think the great thing about college is that people readily accept the fact that students finish at different times. There's not a one set path for everyone, everyone finishes on their own time.

[Victoria'smom]

College usually have diverse ages in US. I'm 29 and no one seems to notice or care.

[Morghana]

I'm in college now and there's a huge variety of students. We have the youngsters who started when they were 18 (like me), but we have people in their 60s who are only just now earning their BAs. 19, like someone else said, is not old at all. No one would notice or care. It's very normal for people to start college a few years late or even a few decades late.

I'm 20 years old now and just about to finish my third year of college. In the course of my studying, I've had both the experience of being a slightly older student in a freshman class and being a slightly younger student in upper division classes. It made no difference (though I had to fight my way into one of the upper division classes because I technically didn't have enough credits--I passed with flying colors I might add). No one even notices my age, because you really can never tell with college students.

I don't think you'd regret going to college. It's a lot better than high school, at least in my opinion. The people are generally brighter and they're in college because they want to be instead of because they have to be. You only have to take subjects you like to take and you have the freedom to decide whether you want to go or not. It's not for everyone of course, and if you don't enjoy it that definitely doesn't make you stupid. But for me, college has been a really good experience. I hope it will be for you, too

[notablackbarbie]

Originally Posted by Perna

I went back when I was in my 50's! But I mostly took online, Open U. courses (here in the United States) and through a university that mostly had older students. That's what I would try if I were you; see if that university had some online courses to take one or two and see if that is what you want to be doing (and you could still look for jobs as you could do your school work whenever) and that way you would not have to worry about the age of the other students or if anyone thought you were stalking your acquaintance, etc. http://www.open.edu.au/public/home :

[quote=Perna;2352752]

((((((Mindinpieces)))))

Besides saying ditto to everyone else, I would also like to 2nd what Perna is saying here. Why not just start with 1 or 2 courses and begin as a part-time student to gradually get into the routine? It REALLY IS okay to take your time in college/university to do the courses well, especially if you are starting at one level as prerequisites to a possible next level (e.g. – you are interested in psychology, you do Intro to Psychology, you get a good grade, you can be allowed to take upper level courses in more specialized areas of Psychology like mental health/development/abnormal/environmental/social etc…). Going to school partime, does mean you can fit in work at the same time – especially to pay for school.

I am 26 years old and just starting University, after taking A LONG TIME to complete a college diploma and certificate. I do relate to the worry of looking at yourself VS looking at “everyone else who went to university right after highschool (O levels in the UK?)". I do have peers/former classmates who just got into Law School or Med School or just finished their Master’s and now continuing graduate studies abroad and on and on and on, which does make me wanto But then you step onto the campus - and realize that there are a wide variety of students with their own stories too. We really can’t make assumptions on how each one got there.

Check out STUDENT SERVICES and COUNSELLING AND DISABILITY SERVICES on the campus. You can be honest and tell them what you are concerned/interested in as a prospective student. They should be able to help/redirect you provide additional support in applying, starting, continuing, and studying further. This support can exist alongside T and Pdoc and your family/friends that can be on your side . Plus, while the fear can be intense, I also agree with Morghana in that it also can be more satisfying focusing more on what YOU want out of YOUR education and learning, rather than following a set curriculum. I do believe there are more choices in higher education; and that you are still young with a lot possibility ahead of you. So why not?

Hope all of this feedback helps. At the very least, know that you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed with all of the aspects of starting, continuing, finishing, next steps(after??) college/university. There are still many days where i am too . Just start with one step at a time....

[Mommilady]

I did what Perna did and took classes online - actually my entire degree program was online. I went part-time and liked it so much I'm now in a Master's program, again all online....except for a week-long orientation on campus. I'm in my 40's and there were at least 15 of us in our 30's or older at this orientation, out of 100.

[insideout]

youre only 19.
You are not considered a re-entry or non-traditional student.
Do it now before you turn 59.
even then, you wont be too old.
is there a rule book on life that you are trying to follow? if so, who wrote the book?
Forget all that!!! just do whatever you wanna do whenever you wanna do it.

[Mindinpieces]

THANK YOU so much everyone for all your comments and words. It does help but it would just be a case of me being me and sometimes I feel like doesn't matter what age I will be I will still be as hopeless and stupid and no good. So I scare myself from doing something because I would be the one doing that, I think therefore of course it’s going to go wrong. HMM need to work on changing that thought and I know I can’t see into the future so how will I know and yes I am jumping to a conclusion. On a good note my local college is still accepting people for September 2012 but can I phone the place and book an appointment with an advisor, that is for another day I think. But I hope I will because my anxiety is at its worse and thinking about working makes me want to stay in bed all day. Although I am starting volunteering at weekend and applied for two jobs today so still trying.

Thank You once again to everyone not very good at being considerate towards others but I really do appreciate your reply’s, Wishing you all the best and hugs

I'm thinking of going back to college and i'm 34. You have zero to worry about in terms of age.

[Mindinpieces]

Originally Posted by Illegal Toilet

I'm thinking of going back to college and i'm 34. You have zero to worry about in terms of age.

Thank You I am sure you have nothing to worry about either will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best

[DenisDonnacha]

Age doesn't make a difference, I'm 19 but my classmates go from 17 to 40 and one of my best friends in college is 34, no one really seems to care.

and good luck with your decision

[PsychiatricEnigma]

I notice some of the answers you're getting are from the US and thus more US-orientated. Not that it matters much, but do be aware that 'college' means different things in the US and here in the UK.

In the US pretty much all tertiary education (post high school, in other words) is referred to as 'college', including university. Here in the UK 'college' strictly refers to tertiary education institutions where people go to learn vocational trades, like electricians, plumbers, hairdressers, etc. and to do courses which prepare you for Higher Education/University such as AS/A-levels, Access courses, HND/HNDs, etc. and they run courses which are aimed at helping unemployed or vulnerable people get back into work, such as people who've just been in prison, etc. But these institutions cannot award degrees. These have a lot of older adults, but they're mostly made up of 16-19 year olds who have just finished their GCSEs in Year 11 at school. I think in the USA, these are called 'community colleges'.

As for the OP, don't let age hold you back. As an A-level student you will be older than most (if not all) the other students, but so what, you're there for the qualifications and there's no reason you can't befriend them, they probably will not even be able to guess that you're 20. I'm planning on going back to college next year to do an Access course at 20 years old (I'm 19 now) so I can get into university, I was hoping to do one in September but I screwed up on the preliminary maths/literacy tests (anxiety attack, i froze, i couldn't register what i was doing, despite how simple it was) and I had to decline an offer to go back and retake them since I'm unsure if I'll still be in the city next year, my parents have been threatening to throw me out and they're planning on trying to sell the house and moving up North to Leeds.

Hope it goes well, anyway. What are you planning to do after your A-levels, can I ask?

[Mindinpieces]

Thank You for your reply PyschiatricEnigma. I am really sorry you are having a hard time with your parents. You should give yourself some credit for actually putting things into action. All I ever done from 2008 after doing one term of college to beginning of 2009 was get the prospectus each year and obsess about what courses I could do but never brought myself to actually do anything about it. When you applied ok it didn’t go as you want it to but that’s never a waste. People keep telling me this; even if you think you failed at something really it’s never a waste. I am not saying that’s the impression I got from you or that’s what happen for you, as you didn’t fail. You can always take something from things whether it’s how not to do things next time or finding out that actually you are not suited to this or it’s really not something for you. So you are then able to better understand yourself form what may seem like set back. I hope things work out for you in mean time. Taking it you mean you are reapplying for the course you wanted to do for September 2013 instead of the September coming up. Did the college advise you on other courses you could do instead and may be still get the points you need for university? Would it be possible for you when you do the course to live in hall of residence?

Although I am 19 at moment I would be 20 by this September (arr so old or that’s how it seems/ feels for myself) I really should have by now finished or near finishing university if I followed all my other peers from leaving school in 2008. I don’t really have a plan to go to university. I only really wanted to go back to college so I can lessen the stress of finding near enough full time work. I just had an interview for weekend work and well my interview picked up on my anxiety and out right asked me how I honestly expected to work there at weekend and cope. So I said I was sorry and hope she didn’t mind that I went for the interview but couldn’t take it further. Luckily she was ok about it but that doesn’t help me. So I was hoping college would take the pressure off and enable me to learn something that has interest to me as well. May be this would help me lessen the anxiety and get some more confidence in that environment instead of working environment. Working has so far wiped away what little confidence I had left. However of course doing A levels doesn’t necessarily help me in regards to bettering my chances of employment. However it always leaves the door open for higher education in future if I get good grades. Maybe if I did get to doing A levels I would have a better idea once started them as to whether carrying on in education is the route for me. To be honesty I have no idea if I will apply for this September of next although I would ideally like to go back this year as it would help get my brain thinking about other things. I don’t have any idea really as to if things will still be the same next month or if things will finally start to get back on right track. I wish I was able to say, this will happen on this day like this and then that happen on so and so day. If only life was as simple as that lol. Only time will tell. Thank You once again and wish you all the best.

[seeker1950]

I went back to college in my late 50's to get my M.A. in Art. It was such a wonderful experience, and though I was the oldest one there, all the other students didn't even seem to notice. I can honestly say this was one of the most positive experiences of my life.

[PsychiatricEnigma]

Thank You for your reply PyschiatricEnigma. I am really sorry you are having a hard time with your parents. You should give yourself some credit for actually putting things into action. All I ever done from 2008 after doing one term of college to beginning of 2009 was get the prospectus each year and obsess about what courses I could do but never brought myself to actually do anything about it. When you applied ok it didn’t go as you want it to but that’s never a waste. People keep telling me this; even if you think you failed at something really it’s never a waste. I am not saying that’s the impression I got from you or that’s what happen for you, as you didn’t fail. You can always take something from things whether it’s how not to do things next time or finding out that actually you are not suited to this or it’s really not something for you. So you are then able to better understand yourself form what may seem like set back. I hope things work out for you in mean time. Taking it you mean you are reapplying for the course you wanted to do for September 2013 instead of the September coming up. Did the college advise you on other courses you could do instead and may be still get the points you need for university? Would it be possible for you when you do the course to live in hall of residence?

Thanks for the reply. The thing with my parents, I'm not sure they've been threatening it every few months, at varying levels of seriousness but since they've decided to attempt to move to Leeds, if all goes well, I'll be going with them anyway. I did want to go and do A-levels but the only college around here doesn't let people aged 19+ do them only 16-18 year olds and there's no way in hell I can afford paying hundreds to do them via distance learning/online learning, but for older students I learnt Access is a better route for getting into uni since it's only one year (as opposed to two years), they're accepted by most unis and they are designed to help people get studying again up to pre-university level, so I don't want to do any other course tbh.

I actually used to spend quite a bit of time reading university prospectuses in the library, deciding where to go. I'm eventually hoping to get into a good university in a city/town I like, like maybe Liverpool, Manchester or Leeds (very ambitious since I only have average GCSEs and stuff lol but its worth a try right? Only will cost a couple of quid on a UCAS form and 3 choice slots). Depending on where I am in September this year, I'll be re-applying to do the Access course for Sept 2013, yeah, and hopefully get into 2014 entry for uni. When I'm 21 going on 22... lol.

As for Halls of Residence. At college, can you even get them at college? If/when I get to uni I am hoping to go in Halls, though. Preferably in a Mature Students hall since some unis try to put people with people their own age. I am not worried about the "debt" or whatever since the student loan won't have to be paid back until you're on over 21k p/a and it's only a small percentage. A lot of people make out uni debt to be something that it's not, well not the student loan debt anyway, 50% of the reason I want to go is the experience and to get away for a while and another 50% of the reason is getting a degree is becoming more of a requirement these days anyway.

Although I am 19 at moment I would be 20 by this September (arr so old or that’s how it seems/ feels for myself) I really should have by now finished or near finishing university if I followed all my other peers from leaving school in 2008. I don’t really have a plan to go to university. I only really wanted to go back to college so I can lessen the stress of finding near enough full time work. I just had an interview for weekend work and well my interview picked up on my anxiety and out right asked me how I honestly expected to work there at weekend and cope. So I said I was sorry and hope she didn’t mind that I went for the interview but couldn’t take it further. Luckily she was ok about it but that doesn’t help me. So I was hoping college would take the pressure off and enable me to learn something that has interest to me as well. May be this would help me lessen the anxiety and get some more confidence in that environment instead of working environment. Working has so far wiped away what little confidence I had left. However of course doing A levels doesn’t necessarily help me in regards to bettering my chances of employment. However it always leaves the door open for higher education in future if I get good grades. Maybe if I did get to doing A levels I would have a better idea once started them as to whether carrying on in education is the route for me. To be honesty I have no idea if I will apply for this September of next although I would ideally like to go back this year as it would help get my brain thinking about other things. I don’t have any idea really as to if things will still be the same next month or if things will finally start to get back on right track. I wish I was able to say, this will happen on this day like this and then that happen on so and so day. If only life was as simple as that lol. Only time will tell. Thank You once again and wish you all the best.

Don't worry about age in all honesty, even if you want to go to uni. Most of the people in my year that went to uni will be entering their second year, and it's weird to feel really left behind and stuff, but after school nobody really cares about age as much, and lots of older students go to college and uni, not to mention most workplaces are mixed age. I have this anxiety too, but I do try not to care, since at the end of the day it's only us that would make an issue of our ages, not the youngsters. A-levels may help you more than you think, some apprentice schemes want people with A-levels (as opposed to just GCSEs) and you have to work fairly hard to do well at A-level, and it's good to have university options open for the future. It's better to be at college doing something than being unemployed and lying in bed all day. I am in that position at the moment. I think, you should totally go for it. I don't think you'll have any financial worries since when you're under 25 you can get your first Level 3 qualification for free or if you're on the dole at any age.. something a lot of people seem to be unaware of.

Good luck deciding what to do, although I think you should go for it as I said. Why not? x

[CastlesInTheAir]

31 and in college......and I just said 31..

Damnit!

I take mostly online classes and the only time my anxiety really gets the best of me when i take classes at the college is the first class when the stupid professor or instructor wants everybody to introduce themselves....I always want to be a smart *** and say "ill pass on this this one"

[Mindinpieces]

Hi PsychiatricEnigma, the colleges from where I am from in Sussex, down south there are two types of colleges. Sixth form colleges that are for 16 to 18 year olds and then there’s colleges that offer that as well as full time type of courses like BETCS etc. that mainly take on people of 16 to 18 ages as well but also offer places to older applicants. Also as many people come into the area for some of the better colleges they do offer halls for those people so they can actually attend the colleges due to travel and maybe this college is offering other courses that colleges near them may not offer.

It’s good you know what you want to do and I am sure when your time comes you will do great at the course of your choice. As for average grades, that means nothing because it’s what you learn next that counts and even then you can still add to that knowledge. So that mark you got really it’s not a true picture of what you are capable of throughout your life. When I started high school my predicted grades for when I finished GCSE were D grades if that. Only because of my middle school life was hell. Really it comes down to you just giving it a go and doing the best you can do. I am sure with the attitude you are taking you can get the grades you want and go to uni for sure, anyone can achieve what they want with the right support and self input. What I got at GCSE was 3 B/ 5 C/ 2 D still pretty much average however an achievement for myself personally. I still however some days feel so stupid and worried that people who are younger than me are probably a lot cleverer than me. I am worried that in college I will make a fool of myself and they will show me up. Oh well they are fresh from school and I have been doing nothing much apart from dwelling in negativity lol. Although actually in reality that is not the truth we all learn at different levels and time in your life so really, that’s just my negative self talk making excuses and making it harder for myself to do what seems so scary. However like you said it’s a lot better than doing nothing and stuck in this rut and actually it probably isn’t as bad as I think and I can make things turn out better than they have been going, all I need to do is lock me thoughts up for a bit and actually apply lol. I am sure it is worth it we can learn and better ourselves and even if you or I don’t take it further we can still learn some skill and techniques you wouldn’t get from everyday life unless you were in those college situation and lessons. Wishing you all the best.

[PsychiatricEnigma]

Originally Posted by Mindinpieces

Hi PsychiatricEnigma, the colleges from where I am from in Sussex, down south there are two types of colleges. Sixth form colleges that are for 16 to 18 year olds and then there’s colleges that offer that as well as full time type of courses like BETCS etc. that mainly take on people of 16 to 18 ages as well but also offer places to older applicants. Also as many people come into the area for some of the better colleges they do offer halls for those people so they can actually attend the colleges due to travel and maybe this college is offering other courses that colleges near them may not offer.

It’s good you know what you want to do and I am sure when your time comes you will do great at the course of your choice. As for average grades, that means nothing because it’s what you learn next that counts and even then you can still add to that knowledge. So that mark you got really it’s not a true picture of what you are capable of throughout your life. When I started high school my predicted grades for when I finished GCSE were D grades if that. Only because of my middle school life was hell. Really it comes down to you just giving it a go and doing the best you can do. I am sure with the attitude you are taking you can get the grades you want and go to uni for sure, anyone can achieve what they want with the right support and self input. What I got at GCSE was 3 B/ 5 C/ 2 D still pretty much average however an achievement for myself personally. I still however some days feel so stupid and worried that people who are younger than me are probably a lot cleverer than me. I am worried that in college I will make a fool of myself and they will show me up. Oh well they are fresh from school and I have been doing nothing much apart from dwelling in negativity lol. Although actually in reality that is not the truth we all learn at different levels and time in your life so really, that’s just my negative self talk making excuses and making it harder for myself to do what seems so scary. However like you said it’s a lot better than doing nothing and stuck in this rut and actually it probably isn’t as bad as I think and I can make things turn out better than they have been going, all I need to do is lock me thoughts up for a bit and actually apply lol. I am sure it is worth it we can learn and better ourselves and even if you or I don’t take it further we can still learn some skill and techniques you wouldn’t get from everyday life unless you were in those college situation and lessons. Wishing you all the best.

Oh yeah, where I live there's only two colleges, they're both regular FE colleges, but only one of them offer A-levels and they're strictly for 16-18 year olds except for expensive night classes for adults which are expensive and have about 1/3 of the options. Only nearby Birmingham has all the proper Sixth Form colleges and stuff, but yeah neither colleges have halls or anything like that. I got similar GCSEs to you, basically. Bs and Cs (although one A as well, but that's in Religious Studies), I had no idea what I wanted to do, school was a very hard time for me (like you), and I didn't pull my finger out til the last minute. I did attempt A-levels in my schools sixth form but failed them, except for AS History where i managed a C (and that was just because my teacher was really good with notes and things), that year was bad for me. I am hoping to pick myself up, but my education has been seriously messed around since that year in sixth form, I did a science BTEC when I was 18 and whilst I enjoyed it and made a good friend I didn't continue it after one year.

I think you're right, we all get better at different ages and what happens at school isn't the end of the world. Have you considered doing an Access to HE course like me? It's more limited than A-levels, but it's a fast-track route to uni and you can pick different pathways, such as science, engineering, humanities, law, etc. The course also has a much wider range of ages since they're strictly 19+ you get lots of people in their 20s and 30s in them and they're often endorsed by local universities. I got the idea off a guy from a student forum who was at my college last year (I met him in real-life briefly) who went to Cambridge after his Access course to do Law. However, I'm not sure if they're good for getting on careers, but they're worth UCAS points. There's more funding options available as well.

Might be something to look into? x

[fishsandwich]

Mind in Pieces, I surmise from your posts that you're in Britain because of all your A-level talk! Maybe some of the US posts won't be relevant to you, because you're talking about what in America they call high school??

I don't think 19 is very old to be in (British) college. I used to tutor in one and there were lots of A-level students who were 19 for various reasons.

If it worries you, though (and uni is possibly in your future), you could look into doing a foundation course instead of A-levels? Lots of people do those well into their sixties, and you'll leave qualified to go to uni. You would have to check if the uni/course you want will take a foundation degree, though. ETA: Sorry, before I wrote that I totally missed you talking about it on the ephemeral second page!

It sounds like you've picked a good spread of A-levels that you're really interested in. That sounds like motivation enough to at least find out, eh??

[fishsandwich]

Originally Posted by PsychiatricEnigma

I actually used to spend quite a bit of time reading university prospectuses in the library, deciding where to go. I'm eventually hoping to get into a good university in a city/town I like, like maybe Liverpool, Manchester or Leeds (very ambitious since I only have average GCSEs and stuff lol but its worth a try right? Only will cost a couple of quid on a UCAS form and 3 choice slots). Depending on where I am in September this year, I'll be re-applying to do the Access course for Sept 2013, yeah, and hopefully get into 2014 entry for uni. When I'm 21 going on 22... lol.

Manchester is fantastic! Not an alumnus myself, but I wish I were. Such a fantastic university and with a lot of the amenities of an Oxbridge college

Anyway I'm replying because 21 going on 22 is not old. I just finished a degree at 23 (oh, so old!) where all my classmates were two-three years younger. It was hard to make friends sometimes, but it the extra maturity made the course a lot easier.