Advice or tips for a someone whose going back to school and starting college for the first time?

Question

I am 24 by the way and I haven't been in school since I was 15 (I dropped out and got a GED by 17). I know there is going to be an age difference in the class when I am surrounded by everyone who just graduated from high school. The one thing that I am worrying about is my lack of exprience with the school work. I am worried that I won't be able to keep up with the same pace as for the other students. I don't want to feel discouraged and quit, how can I block these feelings out so that I won't feel so low of myself? Any other suggestions for my situation will be helpful as well, thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Schedule your classes late in the afternoon or evening.

Most Professors behave better with adult evening students than with daytime college kids.

also, if you have a bad feeling about a class/ professor, don't even take it.

It's better to choose another section or wait  another semester than being so stressed and ending with a bad grade.

If you feel nervous it 's normal, but if you aren't doing well in your classes you need to get help, tutors, counseling etc.

always talk to your counselor.

good luck

Answer 2

First of all, congratulations on going back. :) That's a good choice and there's nothing wrong with making that choice at 24 - or 50 or 75 or 90. :) There were plenty of non-traditional aged students in most of my college classes (some were retired people!).

The other students aren't more capable than you, they're just more likely to be in the routine of schoolwork. All you have to do is get yourself in that mindset. It's been a few years, but you did the work like all of them and you're in the same classroom as all of them now too. The reason for that is you're just as qualified and ready for college as they are!

Just ease back into school - take it slow the first term or two. You can take a full course load without being Suzy College (or Joe College if you happen to be a guy). :) It's a very good thing that you recognize the fear that you'll get overwhelmed and quit altogether - just by addressing that fear you're less likely to make it a reality. If you take it easy and work to feel connected to the school (by making friends, joining clubs, getting a job on campus) you're more likely to succeed.

Besides, if you don't tell people your age they won't even know there's an age gap. If you do tell, they'll probably respect you more for going back to school and having more life experience under your belt (well, and the freshmen will be jealous you're of legal drinking age). :)

Don't be nervous - be happy! You've made a great choice and you should enjoy it. Have fun, enjoy your classes, and good luck!

Answer 3

You are just like me I dropped out in the 9th grade and I am 24 now. I still have about 5-6 years to go. (I want to get a masters in mechanical engineering.) The thing that I have noticed is that people that are our age do better in school because we are more responsible and less likely to spend all night binge drinking.

I have also noticed that I am a lot smarter than the other kids because I have real world experience. That means that I can apply the knowledge I gain from class and actually apply it to situations that I have dealt with.

Another thing is that I am more ready than ever to go to school and get to work. This is my second year and I am amped! Right now I feel a little nervous about how I will fit in. However, last year was great and I don't know why this one wouldn't be.

Good luck old timer.

Answer 4

Don't be nervous! My boyfriend's mom was 36 when she went back to school. And she got a 4.0 and an invitation to do a special internship with an accountant. According to her "just reading a d**n book and answering some questions is better than cleaning up after other people or serving them food." She had a great experience in college because it was easier than the jobs she had w/o an education. Also you're an adult now, so you are able to prioritize and keep a level head. Those other students who just got out of high school (like me) have no idea what's going on really, are still immature, don't know what they want, and your experience in the real world will definitely be beneficial.

Good Luck!!!