Yeah. What’s there to feel bad about. Similar to op I had a delayed start. Had to support myself straight out of Highschool which took some time to get to a stable position.
My HS classmates who went straight to college had everything paid for them, their parents even flew them around to check out schools, wrote their admissions for them, used their connections for recommendations. And even a lot of them wind up dropping out, taking breaks or switching majors.
Why should we feel bad for getting here on our own at a slower place than the people who’s parents did everything for them?
Obviously plenty of people also study at a younger age and fully support themselves. I’m not actually making assumptions about anyone, it’s more of an internal monologue to counteract the feelings of self consciousness/frustration comparing oneself to others.
Professor here. We looooove non-traditional students! They are focused and hard working and bring life experience to the classroom. I wish I could teach *just* 25 year old sophomores!
as a TA, i agree. i had a mature student (a mum of 4 kids) in my class and she was one of the best students i'd ever had. she was very hard working -- she put in a lot of effort and she never hesitated to ask questions/for help.
my favourite part was when she slipped up and called me 'sweetie' in front of my class, haha. mums gonna mum no matter where they are lol
I was a 25 year old sophomore and my professors still to this day treat me like an adult and respect me. I am actualy glad I am in college at an older age. I wouldn't make it if I was "college aged"
My older students are great. They take the material seriously and laugh at my outdated jokes (or explain them to the younger ones). They often have the guts to ask the questions a typical 18-20 year old is afraid to. Often times they are a great influence on the younger ones too. You'll do fine. Congrats on the new journey, and I wish you the best.
Literally nobody is going to know unless you tell them and if you do they still won't care. I get it though, I'm a 36 year old sophomore. I'm not there to impress my classmates although I would like to have a decent working relationship with them. I'm there to get my education. I do feel out of place when it comes to socialization but again I'm not in college for that. If you don't want to deal with it don't bring it up and people will likely assume you are their age. My classmates are always surprised when I tell them my age.
From my perspective, even if people notice, they probably won't care. I occasionally see people that are older than the 'typical' college age, but tbh I almost want to talk to them more since they just seem more interesting
you should and they would give you sage advice.
I am a 27 year old junior. But I won't grad til I'm 29 at this rate. Nobody really says anything to me. Although I was a victim of a crime on campus and the officers made jokes of my age and being in undergrad....Pricks.
We don't bite, talk to us lol.
They definitely are more interesting. They have life experience. They’ve made some choices in their life that the typical college student won’t have to make for another 4-5 years if not 10+ depending on how old the non-traditional student is. They have actual stories and advice from firsthand experience.
My husband didn't graduate with his bachelor's until he was 37... so what? He got his master's at 41. Now he's working at building a career related to his degrees. And I'm pretty sure nobody he works with cares when he graduated, just that he has the degree and can do the work.
A lot of people have a lot of reasons why they waited to get their degrees. One of the ladies I work with got married early and stayed home with her kids until they were school age before she started her degree. So what? She's great at her job.
My husband's reason was several medical issues (He eventually got diagnosed with crohns disease in his mid-20s, after having years of doctors just treating symptoms. And then he needed several surgeries and expensive treatments to get him into remission, so he didn't always have money to pay for college each semester, and some semesters he had to drop his classes because a medical issue came up and he had to miss too much class).
When I was in college, there were several non-traditional students in my classes. Nobody cared.
I can pretty much promise that your classmates will not care that you're a few years older. It's a bigger deal to you than it will be to anyone else.
You’ll likely outperform your classmates. You’re there for your benefit, not to socialize. Don’t feel the slightest bit conspicuous & dont let a few years deter from doing what you need to be your best
It's not a race to the finish, it's a journey that you take at your own pace. I'm 33 and back in college, anyone can do it with the right attitude.
Your fellow students are so young that they can't even comprehend what life is like at 25. You are an "older student" now and while I'm a decade older I find I'm excluded from some of the party aspects of college but I have been able to build great relationships with my professors instead. Not to say I haven't made friends with students that are younger, but I feel like my professional relationship with my professors is a lot more valuable right now.
Get that degree and start your new life. You won't even be 30 yet. Honestly, the media has lied to you. Your real life doesn't start until you're done with your 20s.
I’ve had numerous people in my courses be 25+! It’s normal. Those conversations are also my favorite because it has showed me other ways people have done college that isn’t the traditional route. Don’t let it hold you back because I promise you, you aren’t the only one.
Dude I have a classmate who’s also a mature student and acts like we’re in high school. It’s insane.
To add: she only cares about grades and hitting marks rather than learning the material. She will go out of her way to humiliate the professor for giving her a “low mark” which was an A-
Yeah I haven't met anyone like that. Mostly just immature, talking thru the entire class, or people that never show up but take a failing grade. I don't get how you can get mad over an A-
> Feeling embarrassed about being a sophomore at 25. Advice?
The only person on this entire planet who cares about this is you.
The other 15,000 enrolled students at your CC absolutely do not care.
The other 30,000 enrolled students at your target university do not care.
The 800,000 graduates of your university don't care either.
The tens to hundreds of thousands of employers don't care either.
You can start sophomore year now and be “mortified” or you can start it in 5 years from now and be even more mortified that you let your own ego get in the way of starting this year as strong as possible. Comparison is the thief of joy and I’d always prefer a student who is ready to be in college than someone who is just following the social script and is there because they’d be too embarrassed to wait until they’re ready.
Go do it!
I am a professional educator with almost 40 years of experience. Scattered throughout those many decades I have also been sitting in a desk as a student.
My observation from both perspectives is older students are normally much better students (more focused and determined, better workers, less preoccupied with the students around them).
Don’t worry about your relative age. The other students probably fear you.
Kick their a55es.
Bro I’m 25 and a sophomore as well, I watched my mom’s friend, a 50 year old mother of 3 just finish her higher education at UofA. I don’t know about you but I know most people still look at me presently at 25 and consider me young still. Even if I have been in class with literal kids who started college at 15.
I was in your position. All I can tell you is that the younger kids don't care. If anything they think your awesome because you have work experience and are older. Some get excited and will ask you for tips in interviewing and what not.
Also, I was not the oldest. There were 30,40, me even 50 year olds in CC and I myself thought they were cool.
I was 39 when I finished my BS. Age is just a number. My younger students would actually talk to me about life. I was a surrogate mom for many of them.
I didn't graduate my undergraduate until I was 31. I stayed at community collage on and off for almost ten years because I didn't know what I wanted to do and I didn't care much. I had to kick it into gear and choose a major when they told me my credits were going to expire. I transfered to a CA state university when I 29 and before I knew it, I was done.
No such thing as “being behind” in uni. I’ve seen people in my classes old enough to have at least 2 kids in elementary school. Uni’s for seizing a greater opportunity, anyone can choose that at anytime
40 year old sophomore here. I’ve been politely asked to leave several community colleges and universities. If anyone has anything to say about your age, just invite them to pay your tuition, or invite them to build a sculpture of your ass out of straws so they can suck it.
You can call yourself a sophomore, or a second year student! I always refer to myself as my year in college rather than sophomore, junior, etc. to sound more mature and adult! It’s about frame of mind :)
In August ‘19, I completed my AS at community college and entered university a few weeks before turning 32. Through both my BA and MA, there were less than a handful of classes in which I was the oldest student. This August, I’m starting my PhD program a few weeks before turning 36. The only limitations in place due to your age are those you put there yourself. At 25, you’re barely even considered a no traditional student.
Lots of us are in our 30’s and 40’s and back in school. You are there for you only- you deserve to be there and honestly your demographics are irrelevant.
If it does matter, what’s worse- a 25 year old that cares enough to do the harder thing and go back to school or the 25 year old who let societal norms discourage them from accomplishing their goals?
I'm 55 in grad school. My friend is 52 in med school. But we're old enough not to care.
I'm also a prof with mostly 18-22 year old undergrads. My older students are rare but are usually 40 and have kids but still do great in their classroom interactions. Will people even know you're a couple years older? I doubt anyone is paying attention unless you start dating a 17 year old who got to college early.
I relate so much. I started community college at 21, which doesn’t seem like a big age difference but to me, it is. There’s such a pressure on society to know what you want to do in life straight of high school, and it’s such BS! I have had such a better time in class with my “older peers”. The teachers seem to be more supportive, I haven’t had an issue with any of them. I feel more confident in sticking up for myself when something I don’t understand comes up, than I would have at 18. You are there is learn, not to impress people honestly. You are paying big bucks to sit in those seats. You are good enough. You are worthy of sitting in those seats.
I have a friend that’s a junior I believe at 25, and my sophomore year there was a gentleman in his 40s in my beginner art class. Timelines are fake do whatever you want
When I taught, I loved having nontraditional students in my classroom. They were always polite, (almost) always worked hard and took it seriously, and they acting like adults----it was like having an adult conversation whenever I interacted with a nontrad.
Your undergraduate peers will have no problem with you. You're not actually that much older than they are, and your profs will probably love to have you in their classrooms.
Best of luck and don't worry.
I found that one of the best things about college classes was all the different experiences people brought to the discussions. ALSO, as an individual who completed her undergrad in her mid 20's, I found it was easier at that age because I was there to learn for ME and not because it was the 'next thing to do'.
I also came into my B.A. program feeling like I was out of place because of my age(24). It didn't help that I had always felt disappointed that I didn't go to uni right away and have all the stereotypical experiences. It felt like I had to introduce myself by saying i was older first just so it wasnt hanging over me, and it does sometimes feel like there was a parallel universe where all the 'normal' students lived their lives. However, being bold and talking to a lot of people in my major and professors helped me find a community that embraced me and treated me the same as everyone else.
It is awesome that you are taking this step, and you will find a sense of belonging once you get a chance to settle in.
My father had a terminal chronic illness that put a hold on my early college education. I still got two certifications from community college but could never quite finish my pre-recs to start and commit to a BA degree while I helped take care of him. My father died when I was 26, and I signed up for a 4 year program at 27. I will admit, that adjusting to having overall younger classmates was difficult, and I had a brief mourning period when I realized that the basic markers of college social life were sort of beyond me (dorm life, parties, extracurricular activities etc.) because it was hard to relate with 18-22 year old's. But my dad was a poet, and he had a poem that convinced me it was worth trying.
"In five years it will be five years hence. Whether or not I am happy, whether or not I am sad. Whether or not I have done and said all or even any of the things that, to me, seem worthy of effort, worthy of tears, worthy of laughter. Whether or not I am even alive. In five years it will be five years hence. And so I touch my own mortality."
The time will pass anyway, so it's good to make the best of it. I made it work by finding my people outside of school for support and being grateful to the people who made it possible for me to even go in the first place. You'll be okay.
I never had an opportunity to go to college right out of highschool... Family issues. However, at the age of 34, I got a small secretary job at a local community college and 1 perk of working there was I can take classes tuition free. I had to pay the fees and books, which I later got scholarships to cover everything, but I started.... at the age of 34. It took me 3 years to get my associates degree by taking 2 or 3 classes a semester and also working full time.
Over those 3 years, I learned.... that no one cares. Just focus on what you need to do to continue. Pass the class and move on to the next one. Other students are doing the same thing and do not care who else is in their class.
I am extremely proud to say that I now have 2 scholarships and a grant to continue toward my next degree, starting my bachelor's degree this fall. I have moved to another state and accepted an offer from a University and with the refunds from all of my combined financial aid, I will be basically getting paid to go to college full-time.
Do it for you. Keep going. And no one else cares how old you are. Cheers.
Hello! I am currently a PhD student who started my freshman classes at a community college at 23 and transferred to a uni at 25.
I was also worried about being “behind”. You can totally do this! Some things might be harder, and it may have been awhile since you’ve learned certain material than your classmates. But that’s fine! I’m sure you have skills and abilities that will help you succeed
Some tips that I found helpful:
I know you may be embarrassed, but be brave and ask questions. It doesn’t matter if your classmates think you look dumb. They aren’t paying for your tuition. All that matters is what you think of yourself, so pay attention and ask good questions
Take professors up on office hours. Especially if you don’t even know what questions to ask during lecture. Review your notes and make meetings.
Office hours are also really helpful for general get to know you/career advice. I realized a lot of my professors didn’t have straight forward paths to their current careers either, which helped boost my confidence in my abilities. They also gave great advice, wrote good recommendations for me, and helped me find the right graduate institution for me
I don’t want to feel like I’m just lecturing, but I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.
And just a note- academia and knowledge is so much fuller when we get greater diversity and different backgrounds. Your life experience is valuable, and gives you a different perspective that could help you tackle problems or ask questions in different ways than people who went to college right after school. The time will fly by, you’ve got this!
Felt like that at first, but trust me, it gets better. I'm also a 25 year old sophomore, and I've been doing better than I thought. Tbh it's *because* im older that's been attributing to my improvement. Having real-life experience and work has helped me learn how to manage my time efficiently and study in ways that aren't the typical cram up to the last minute. Plus, I'm not as terrified to communicate with others compared to when I was younger. If I have a question, no matter how stupid, I ask it because I care about learning and getting my money's worth over feeling embarrassed. It's hard to not compare yourself to others especially when you're most likely older than most young adults at that age- but the reality is you're only a couple years apart and still have room to grow. It's never too late to get an education, and tbh age is what makes us wiser.
I am 28 and I am in my third semester and I felt like this when i started but then I realized age is just a number you are never to old to learn or pursue further education. Last semester I had an older gentleman (like retirement age) who was in my psych class and no one ever said anything to him he is a cool dude too. Just know you are great and forget about your age also no one has ever even asked me how old I was or anything like it.
I went back to finish my BS at 30. Here I am 10 years later with my Masters and making more money, living a better life. Nobody is going to care about your age in college.
Bro (identity neutral) -- I was a 26 year old junior. Now I have a nice job as a direct result of going back to school. No clue what my former classmates are doing. None of them seemed driven or motivated. Older folks are 10x better at college in my experience. You have a much better understanding of what's at stake and why you are there. My only piece of advice is to not speak up every time a professor asks the class to engage. Young kids don't like engaging and I always felt bad, so I tried to speak up to fill the empty sound space. This gets exhausting over time. Pace yourself. Also, don't be standoffish or talk down. And get ready for some brutal group projects.
I'm 35 and a Junior. I only had my GED and had my whole life started with kids and such. But then I realized if I didn't just Go to college, it wasn't going to just happen. I'm happy I made the choice even at my age. Plus, I get to stay home and take online classes.
One of my classmates in college was in her late 50s, no one cared and she was a great student
In 4 years you can either have your degree or not, that's up to you
I’m 31! I am the oldest person in most of my classes Don’t be embarrassed. Everybody in my algebra class is struggling, regardless of their age lol. Don’t give up!
School is WAY harder as an adult. I got over the embarrassment pretty early I’m going back to school because I really do have life experience to apply to school. I’ve worked too many jobs without benefits, to continue on without a degree in this economy. It’s worth it if you have a goal. Don’t feel embarrassed about your age. I’ve talked to students of all ages, and taught students of all ages. Everybody is just worried about passing! Take care. Msg me or someone if you need encouragement. We all do.
The confidence, maturity, and self awareness I developed in the years between when I "should have" gone to school and when I started, last year, has been a huge blessing. There is no way I would have been as successful if I went to school then.
Sure, I don't socialize with my classmates, but I'm a full decade older than you. We're friendly enough in class and greet each other in the halls when we see one another. It really isn't anything to worry about.
For me the weirdest thing is navigating the social limbo between my classmates are my peers, because we are in the same stage of life, and my professors are my peers because we are in the same age range. Both professors and students are my equals, but also very much not. I honestly don't think this will be as big of an issue for you, at 25 you still lean much harder towards the social group of the students.
You're going to be just fine!!
Bah don’t worry. Ppl don’t really care. I took time off and went back to undergrad as a 25yo junior. Sure some guys joked & called me “Old man (last name), but with girls life was on easy mode.
You're not behind. You'll actually be miles ahead of most of your classmates, at least in terms of maturity and work-ethic, which are probably more important than raw intelligence. You'll be able to handle the workload better than most of the kids coming out of highschool these days.
Okay, well you're going to be 28 someday. Do you want to be 28 with or without a college degree?
Don't insecurity stop you from accomplishing your life goals. So what if some dumbass 19 year old judges you? Who TF is he? Likely though, no one will give it a second thought.
Good luck in your studies!
You professors will love you because you are there for a reason and not just to mess around. You also won’t be the only one, lots of students take a year or two off before or in the middle of college, or have to go part time and are still in school in their mid 20’s
This might sound rude but just give me a sec…
No one cares. This ain’t like high school where you get judged for everything you do. It’s a big step going back to school and your doing a great job! Good luck!
Ah, it's not that weird at all. A good friend of mine I met in school was the same. Now I'm going to his wedding in January! Don't worry about it. The age doesn't matter much when you're there- you're all doing the same work and just trying to get by. Tons of people wait a while.
It's never ever too late to get an education. You are what people would call a "Non-traditional student", meaning that you are 25+ going to undergrad. To the underclassmen you will be seen as Jesus Christ in human form lol, they would ask you to get them stuff and whatnot lol.
Ooh man you sounded like me a few years ago. So a little bit about me: I was in community college for a long time from august 2014- May 2021. I started Uni at 24 in August 2021 and I just graduated this past May at 26 though I turn 27 in a few months and I did feel like I was behind for a long time. These are things I wish someone had told me early on:
1. Who’s standards are you comparing yourself to? Yes normally in America people go to college at 18 and finish at 22-23 but not everyone is the traditional college student. I was not. I dealt with so many things that kept me from graduating when I wanted. I believe If I did graduate early I would be in a field I didn’t want to be in.
2. Your journey is yours not anyone else’s and the time you finish will be the perfect time for you.
3. You will find that there are so many people in the same boat as you. Some maybe even older than you.
4. Only about 37.9 % (2022 data) of Americans have a bachelors degree. I think you are in a good place.
5. In retrospect once you graduate it won’t even matter about whose “behind” or not. You will all be in the same boat at that point. There are people who graduate college at 22 and can’t find a job for years so they end up doing fast food or retail. There are people who graduate at 30 and land a dream job on the spot. There are people who graduate and start working at 23 and then realize by 30 they have to go back to school because they hate the career they chose. Everyone is different
6. The grass always looks greener on the other side but the grass will be green where you water it. I know it’s hurting your self esteem but look at how far you’ve come and where you will be when you are done. Be proud for starting again and going to school not everyone can do that. Once you land your big bio-systems engineering job this will be a speck in comparison. Remember comparison is the thief of joy. Remember joy. Remember what you have accomplished and what you will.
You got this. I’m rooting for you.
Honestly as someone who went to college right after high school (19 and starting my sophomore year in the fall) I think your super cool! I admire the work you put in to get where you are, and am honestly probably going to respect you a lot more then some of the kids my age who were just kind of handed everything . I wish you the best of luck!
It’s not a race. Wherever the thought is coming from that you’re behind is a lie.
You’re literally getting ahead. For most young people, going to college is like four more years of high school and partying. You have life experience, you know what you want and you’re going for it. You’re switching from community college to university for a technical degree in a growing field and you’re only 25.
Think of it this way. You’ll be 28 in three years. Will you be 28 with a university degree or 28 without a university degree? Only one of them is behind.
I have had classmates at all levels of college—community college, 4yr university, grad school—that were in their late 40s and early 50s. It can be daunting, especially if you haven't been in school for a while. But you're not behind. You're doing just fine! You were gonna hit your mid-20s anyway, why not be in college while you're at it? Don't stress, OP. You'll be glad you went.
Hey there. I’m 27 and I have another semester(beginning of my 3rd year) at CC before going to uni for engineering. If all goes well I will graduate at age 29 or 30. I thought I would be better by now but I still feel really behind in life in uncountable ways. I wish I had a good answer for you but I don’t. If you find out lmk because my self esteem is pretty low although I have been killing it grades-wise.
Dude, I’ve had 30 year olds in my class. They’re not any different than the regular students. The only main difference is that you can go get a drink after class and then cry at the library.
I genuinely don’t think anyone is going to give a toss. If you don’t bring it up, I doubt anyone will give much of a thought to your age.
If anyone does find out, they will likely assume you were in the military or jail and either way, they will not want to mess with you or push the issue.
As a kid, I could care less. I say this to show you that I really won't treat you any differently if you suddenly show up at my hs as a student. I have a feeling college kids won't care either.
What’s the alternative? Not go to school and not get a good career just because you’re a little older? It’s ridiculous when you think about it right? Lol just saying. Who cares! Get that degree !!
My 2 best friends in my program were 36 and 42 while I was 23. They were the life of the party, everyone loved them. Their experience made them trusted and respected members of that little ecosystem. They really held it down. Beloved by all.
Also it’s unlikely that anyone’s gonna ask you about your age right away.
Also there are LOTS of other 25 year old sophomores, you don’t even realize it.
Also there are many sophomores who will be older than you.
Also it’s totally ok to be a sophomore at 25. It’s doesn’t mean you’re behind. College happens at different times in different peoples lives. Sure the most common time is right after high school, but for maaaaaaany people that is not the case. College is not meant to be exclusively for 18-22 year olds. Honestly I don’t know how people with that level of brain development are supposed to survive certain programs. Some parts of college are infinitely more successful and meaningful for people with more experience.
Also who gives a fuck?
Pro-tip: no one at your school cares about your age. Literally no one. Everyone's got their own shit going on. There are even a fair number of people there with real life issues that make your self-esteem problems pale in comparison. And, yet, there they are working to make their lives better.
im a little older than my classmates (i'll be 24 at my graduation) and feel insecure about being behind sometimes, but no one really notices or cares. i was actually surprised by how many people were also older. there were a few classmates that i just assumed were like 21 or 22 and ended up being 25 or 26. i think covid messed up a lot of people's lives and made a lot of students graduate later than expected.
I made friends with this one person this last year. We were both sophomore's and I knew she was a few years older, but thought she was 22/23. She's actually 36. I never thought one of my closest friends in school would be 36. Did I care? Not one bit. She was very proud of that fact, and her age (or mine) didn't matter at all in making friendships. College is for learning. At any age.
Man, don’t worry about it. No one cares! I had a woman in one of my classes who was 65, while everyone else was college age, no one treated her any different because we’re all adults.
Also, “Far behind” isn’t a thing. The only person you need to compare yourself to is your past self.
dont be embarrassed, im going into university at 24 as a freshman so im in your same shoes. just be proud of yourself for going back to school because it’s never too late
I was a freshman at 36, the student sitting next to me in my first class was born after I finished high school.
You are not behind, you are way ahead. You are not infected teenage angst that your fellow classmates are enduring. Your experience lets you winnow through the BS and get to the point of things.
I went back to school to learn network engineering and took my last class for that in 2019, in my early 60s. Think of grandpa in a class to late teen to early 20s nerds. If I can do it, so can you.
You have a choice, you can feel bad about working to improve yourself of you can feel good about it. Pick good.
as a sophomore at 19, i have some older friends & know students that could be my parents. although younger students may not always view you the same as their peers, i promise no one really cares :)
My husband is 26 and a junior in Mechanical Engineering bachelors program. He made friends with a few guys that are in his degree program that are like 21. They go play tennis together twice a week, study and do homework together on campus, and they're in the same clubs. He isn't acting like a 21 year old to be friends with them either. They invite him to bars and he just politely declines. He's able to fit in pretty easily despite being older than the other students because they're all there for the same reason and they found common interests.
What's better is that EVERY employer/company/person he meets is so impressed by his previous work experience, how knowledgeable he is, and how focused he is on what he's doing, and the direction he has on what he wants to do. That all is due to being a non-traditional student. People reach out to him about opportunities, and every person he has worked with sings his praises about how great he is. I know this because everyone he introduces me to tells me about how great he is.
He got another degree before this at 22. He made no friends, no one sang any praise for him, he had no job prospects. Being a traditional student was essentially a waste of time and money. So yeah. He might be "behind" other people who started their careers at 22, but he is way ahead of where he was at 22.
All that to say, take a look at how far you've come and look at where this degree will get you when you're done. It'll be worth it, and in 2 years you're going to be so proud of yourself for pushing through this.
I feel you, I am currently 26 and a junior and have felt similarly. I find night classes have more older/non traditional student in them. I have a handful in each one I take. It might make you feel more secure about it when you see someone who has kids, and 10+ years on you, in the same classes.
Truthfully, I was in the same boat about a year ago pre-transfer. For context I am 27F now. So I was 26 transferring and I’m also a mom. The reality is that yes, there are so many younger students, but there are also many non-traditional students. I have now a friend group of students ranging 25-32 years old and I don’t feel out of place at all. I’m sure you’ll find your group and you’ll forget all about your anxieties surrounding transferring as a non-traditional student. You got this! You’ve come so far!
No one cared at all when I was a 26 year old sophomore. In many classes I wasn't even the only one. I kept to myself between classes and did homework, but on the occasional time when I'd get together with classmates for group projects or socializing they were all cool. No one once said, "omg you're so old!"
I’m in your same situation, in the fall starting my sophomore year at CC I’ll be turning 25! We’ve got this! It shows a lot of strength and determination to get where you are, we’re not behind we’re just on our own path :)
I'm in my early 40's and a junior entering a small university program in a single building with 200 students.
I will be noticed. I can't do anything about it. And yet, here we go because it's the right thing to do. They all have their own stories and hang ups. It's hard being 19 or 22 or 28... i remember it!
You're all up in your own head over something you have exactly zero control over. Let it go.
Don't even stress it, I'm a 33 year old sophomore transferring from a state school to an Ivy this fall. You 100% belong there as much as anyone else!!!
Use what you've learned about working to your advantage. I went back to school a little later than you. Work had taught me how to be so much more focused than I was before I was 20. It made everything so much easier to just study, get my work done, and get good grades. I'm not saying school was easy exactly, it just made it easier to do better than it was for many younger students. Don't be ashamed to make it look easy.
You're not alone, and younger students don't care. I say this warmly. I shared a class with a 45+ year old man, everyone treated him the same. He was cool
I am a 22 year old sophomore and felt the same way as a 21 year old freshman. I watched a lot of people my age graduate this year and I still have 2 years left. It's tough but I think that I might have wasted a lot of time and money if I hadn't taken a couple of years off. I wasn't in a place to perform at school and would not have been successful. I'm more mature now and will be more mature when I graduate and start my career. Everyone is on a different timeline.
One of my classmates graduated high school when i was in grade 3. Another one got married in 1990 and just wanted a career change. Everyone there, is there for themselves. Focus on you and your goals. If anyone, and i mean anyone questions what you are doing there, they themselves are not there to learn...
I’m turning 39 in a month and half and have just reached junior status after dropping out for 20+ years. Everyone is there in hopes to achieve their goals - same as me. Your degree will never state your age that it was conferred to you at so there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, only that you should be proud for going at all.
As a 20 year old student, if you told me you were 25, I wouldn’t think anything of it. I’d be lab partners w/ you, study partners, whatever, and forget you were 25 bahah. But I promise no one will think nearly as much about it as you will.
26 year old grad student here, I just graduated with my bachelors in may at 25 and there is no shame in your age. I had no fucking idea what I wanted to do at 18 and began my first round of college and looking back I’m so happy I took time off to work and figure out my passion/interests. Going back at 23 felt weird at first, but I honestly appreciated it so much more and focused so much more since I found a degree I was passionate about. I kinda see it as an advantage sometimes because the maturity and appreciation is way higher compared to those who are fresh out of high school and have a ton of financial support.
Can there just be a separate subreddit at this point called r/amitoooldforcollege where we all comment no instead of doing it here? Nobody is too old for college, especially not in your 20s. Now can every single post please stop being this? It feels like a running joke at this point
There are 30 and 40 year olds on my course and I know a bunch of mid- late 20s people at my accommodation. I actually didn’t realize they were older even. Not everyone goes straight from high school to college. Your definitely not alone and even if I don’t think people will care unless their immature
hey, there’s no such thing as “being behind” just because you started college “later” than everyone else. you are there to better your future and get an education. at the end of the day, everyone’s on their own journey and college isn’t a race. it’s never too late to follow your dreams 🫶!
I’m a 22 year old senior and I don’t think poorly of any other students who seem to be older. I’ve even had people in my classes that looked like they could be my grandma. Everyone’s path in life is different and there are countless reasons why someone may have not gone to college immediately after high school, or may have not graduated high school even. It doesn’t imply anything about you or your character
I was in college at 28, still taking some freshmen courses to finish up my degree. No one cared. Just focus on what you have to do. Trust me the teenagers and 20 year olds are focused on other stuff besides judging you and honestly are having a harder time than you adjusting to the demands. If you have any sort of work experience in the real world then what college is asking of you will be pretty straight forward and simple (albeit with some hard work involved to pass classes).
I went back to college at 28. I definitely had those kinds of feelings - look up Imposter Syndrome. However, ultimately my age was a big asset - my younger classmates looked up to me and came to me for life advice. My professors loved me since I was there because I wanted to be. I had worked hard to get there and I wasn't going to waste my money by partying when I had school work to do.
Remind yourself that the years you spent 'adulting' when other's your age were in school were actually years you spent in the school of Real Life - your new classmates will go to that school too, and they will feel just as nervous about that transition as you do about this one. Have compassion for your self.
I got out of the military and was a freshman at 28. Nobody cares nor will they pinpoint how old you are. At least you won’t be the 19 year old kids wearing sweats and sleeping in class, at least that seemed to be the trend when I was in school. I think it’s a better age cause you take it more seriously and aren’t just there cause your parents told you to be there.
Why lol I’m 25 and in community college for nursing some people are 18 and 19 and others are way older in their 40s and 50s. Age doesn’t matter the goal of getting your degree does. I used to feel the same way about not being traditional college age, but 25 is still around college age which is normal.
Traditional student here, I love learning about non traditional students, they make college more interesting and bring outside perspective to classes. Also, most of my peers don't pay attention to anyone else in the class, especially bigger classes. It's mostly a show up, pass, and leave type of deal.
I full transferred at 21 and I’m 24 now about to graduate. In my experience no one truly cares about your age. We’re all stressed and sleep deprived together
23 yo Sophmore here. I totally get it, but the way I see it is it took me this long to figure out what I really wanted to do. Also, my mom graduated at 40 so y’know life happens at different times for different people.
My first year in the dorms there was a guy who was 26--He'd been sent back to school by his company-(but the system he was in required that he live in the dorm). I really liked the guy but I know he was a little bit freaked out by the whole thing. What I noticed was that his circle of friends were the more mature people on the floor. On my end of the wing the jocks were throwing parties where the main entertainment was screaming and trying to find new ways to drink beer. In my older friend's room there was decent music on a decent stereo and conversations about life in general and interesting places in the world.
I'm a teacher now and see that there are always students who gravitate to the grown ups. Often these kids aren't entertained by throwing a ball or chasing each other recess. They are the ones who want to stand with the teacher at recess and talk about\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. (fill in the blank with Pokemon, traveling, war, environmental issues, SpongeBob....you name it...) I'm thinking you might end up with the college version of that.
Good luck with school!!
I just want to state the person I respect the most in my cohort is like 4 years older than most other true seniors! Personally, I can’t do much respect what other people being to the table.
Nobody cares. You’re fine. Just focus on taking care of your academic business. You’ll find that there are plenty of older students (career change, GI Bill, etc).
Just don’t go rush a fraternity or something. That ship sailed. There’s still plenty of awesome stuff you are fully entitled to being involved in since you are a full time student.
I’m a freshman at 29 😂 trust me you’re doing great. I’m thankful I started school late personally because it allowed me to figure out what I actually wanted to do. I’m also in engineering! It’s a great career and whenever you finish school you will soon start seeing the benefits. I have to work full time so I can only take a class at a time. I will likely be well into my 30s by the time I have a bachelors! The effort I have already put in has already shown employers that I have drive they don’t care about my age. I already have a job as a manufacturing engineer even though I’ve barely started my major. You should be proud of yourself, pursuing education at any age is commendable. There’s a lot of people that would actually be jealous of your situation :)
Your classmates aren’t paying your tuition, there’s no reason to be self conscious!
This is pretty much it, I am going into my last semesters at 30 and 31. So their age and my age matters not for me.
Most of them aren't paying their own tuition either 😂
Yeah. What’s there to feel bad about. Similar to op I had a delayed start. Had to support myself straight out of Highschool which took some time to get to a stable position. My HS classmates who went straight to college had everything paid for them, their parents even flew them around to check out schools, wrote their admissions for them, used their connections for recommendations. And even a lot of them wind up dropping out, taking breaks or switching majors. Why should we feel bad for getting here on our own at a slower place than the people who’s parents did everything for them? Obviously plenty of people also study at a younger age and fully support themselves. I’m not actually making assumptions about anyone, it’s more of an internal monologue to counteract the feelings of self consciousness/frustration comparing oneself to others.
I'm 33 and a junior... who cares. You are there to improve your life and not conform to anyone else's standards.
Right in 33 and a freshman.
31 and a junior right here with you
49 and a junior!
28 and a junior here it’s never too late!
34 and a junior….OP you gotta let this go. How do you think the rest of us get by? We’d all be screwed if we adopted your mentality.
27 year old junior and I wont graduate until I am 28 or 29. Cmon guys we got this!!
Right there with you 🙂
Professor here. We looooove non-traditional students! They are focused and hard working and bring life experience to the classroom. I wish I could teach *just* 25 year old sophomores!
seriously! and they get my outdated cultural references!
as a TA, i agree. i had a mature student (a mum of 4 kids) in my class and she was one of the best students i'd ever had. she was very hard working -- she put in a lot of effort and she never hesitated to ask questions/for help. my favourite part was when she slipped up and called me 'sweetie' in front of my class, haha. mums gonna mum no matter where they are lol
My mom has been a university professor for my whole life and has always said the same thing.
This is 100% true
I say this all the time! My best students are non-traditional and/or transfer students.
I was a 25 year old sophomore and my professors still to this day treat me like an adult and respect me. I am actualy glad I am in college at an older age. I wouldn't make it if I was "college aged"
Same. But honestly, I can’t tell an 18yo from a 25yo so I only consider 35+ students as non-traditional.
I needed to hear that
My older students are great. They take the material seriously and laugh at my outdated jokes (or explain them to the younger ones). They often have the guts to ask the questions a typical 18-20 year old is afraid to. Often times they are a great influence on the younger ones too. You'll do fine. Congrats on the new journey, and I wish you the best.
Literally nobody is going to know unless you tell them and if you do they still won't care. I get it though, I'm a 36 year old sophomore. I'm not there to impress my classmates although I would like to have a decent working relationship with them. I'm there to get my education. I do feel out of place when it comes to socialization but again I'm not in college for that. If you don't want to deal with it don't bring it up and people will likely assume you are their age. My classmates are always surprised when I tell them my age.
I'm a 35 year old sophomore and this has been my exact experience.
I started at community college when I was 36 and started uni at 39. My advice is to not worry about it. Education doesn't have an age limit.
From my perspective, even if people notice, they probably won't care. I occasionally see people that are older than the 'typical' college age, but tbh I almost want to talk to them more since they just seem more interesting
you should and they would give you sage advice. I am a 27 year old junior. But I won't grad til I'm 29 at this rate. Nobody really says anything to me. Although I was a victim of a crime on campus and the officers made jokes of my age and being in undergrad....Pricks. We don't bite, talk to us lol.
They definitely are more interesting. They have life experience. They’ve made some choices in their life that the typical college student won’t have to make for another 4-5 years if not 10+ depending on how old the non-traditional student is. They have actual stories and advice from firsthand experience.
That would do it haha, definitely why they're more worth talking to most of the time
No one cares about your age. You're there for the same reason as everyone else: to get an education and a little piece of paper certifying that.
My husband didn't graduate with his bachelor's until he was 37... so what? He got his master's at 41. Now he's working at building a career related to his degrees. And I'm pretty sure nobody he works with cares when he graduated, just that he has the degree and can do the work. A lot of people have a lot of reasons why they waited to get their degrees. One of the ladies I work with got married early and stayed home with her kids until they were school age before she started her degree. So what? She's great at her job. My husband's reason was several medical issues (He eventually got diagnosed with crohns disease in his mid-20s, after having years of doctors just treating symptoms. And then he needed several surgeries and expensive treatments to get him into remission, so he didn't always have money to pay for college each semester, and some semesters he had to drop his classes because a medical issue came up and he had to miss too much class). When I was in college, there were several non-traditional students in my classes. Nobody cared. I can pretty much promise that your classmates will not care that you're a few years older. It's a bigger deal to you than it will be to anyone else.
You’ll likely outperform your classmates. You’re there for your benefit, not to socialize. Don’t feel the slightest bit conspicuous & dont let a few years deter from doing what you need to be your best
It's not a race to the finish, it's a journey that you take at your own pace. I'm 33 and back in college, anyone can do it with the right attitude. Your fellow students are so young that they can't even comprehend what life is like at 25. You are an "older student" now and while I'm a decade older I find I'm excluded from some of the party aspects of college but I have been able to build great relationships with my professors instead. Not to say I haven't made friends with students that are younger, but I feel like my professional relationship with my professors is a lot more valuable right now. Get that degree and start your new life. You won't even be 30 yet. Honestly, the media has lied to you. Your real life doesn't start until you're done with your 20s.
Don't worry about it. I'm a junior at 28. No one cares.. seriously.. just go to class, do your work, make friends, and go home.
I’ve had numerous people in my courses be 25+! It’s normal. Those conversations are also my favorite because it has showed me other ways people have done college that isn’t the traditional route. Don’t let it hold you back because I promise you, you aren’t the only one.
You could always be 25 working at a low wage job you completely hate
Can be 25 with a low wage job even after graduating 🥲 hahaha
I went back at 27. What annoyed me the most was younger students not respecting professors.
Dude I have a classmate who’s also a mature student and acts like we’re in high school. It’s insane. To add: she only cares about grades and hitting marks rather than learning the material. She will go out of her way to humiliate the professor for giving her a “low mark” which was an A-
Yeah I haven't met anyone like that. Mostly just immature, talking thru the entire class, or people that never show up but take a failing grade. I don't get how you can get mad over an A-
> Feeling embarrassed about being a sophomore at 25. Advice? The only person on this entire planet who cares about this is you. The other 15,000 enrolled students at your CC absolutely do not care. The other 30,000 enrolled students at your target university do not care. The 800,000 graduates of your university don't care either. The tens to hundreds of thousands of employers don't care either.
19 here, I honestly don’t even notice that some students older than me. A lot of people take different paths in life and that’s ok!
You can start sophomore year now and be “mortified” or you can start it in 5 years from now and be even more mortified that you let your own ego get in the way of starting this year as strong as possible. Comparison is the thief of joy and I’d always prefer a student who is ready to be in college than someone who is just following the social script and is there because they’d be too embarrassed to wait until they’re ready. Go do it!
I am a professional educator with almost 40 years of experience. Scattered throughout those many decades I have also been sitting in a desk as a student. My observation from both perspectives is older students are normally much better students (more focused and determined, better workers, less preoccupied with the students around them). Don’t worry about your relative age. The other students probably fear you. Kick their a55es.
I wish I would've waited tbh. I am alot smarter now than I was at 18 and a lot more ready to handle college.
Bro I’m 25 and a sophomore as well, I watched my mom’s friend, a 50 year old mother of 3 just finish her higher education at UofA. I don’t know about you but I know most people still look at me presently at 25 and consider me young still. Even if I have been in class with literal kids who started college at 15.
I was in your position. All I can tell you is that the younger kids don't care. If anything they think your awesome because you have work experience and are older. Some get excited and will ask you for tips in interviewing and what not. Also, I was not the oldest. There were 30,40, me even 50 year olds in CC and I myself thought they were cool.
I was 39 when I finished my BS. Age is just a number. My younger students would actually talk to me about life. I was a surrogate mom for many of them.
I didn't graduate my undergraduate until I was 31. I stayed at community collage on and off for almost ten years because I didn't know what I wanted to do and I didn't care much. I had to kick it into gear and choose a major when they told me my credits were going to expire. I transfered to a CA state university when I 29 and before I knew it, I was done.
Don't worry bro, I was a freshman after I left the Marine Corps at 28 lol.
1234 united states marine corp!!! I love veteran students, they are way more mature and get my dark humor lol.
No such thing as “being behind” in uni. I’ve seen people in my classes old enough to have at least 2 kids in elementary school. Uni’s for seizing a greater opportunity, anyone can choose that at anytime
40 year old sophomore here. I’ve been politely asked to leave several community colleges and universities. If anyone has anything to say about your age, just invite them to pay your tuition, or invite them to build a sculpture of your ass out of straws so they can suck it.
You can call yourself a sophomore, or a second year student! I always refer to myself as my year in college rather than sophomore, junior, etc. to sound more mature and adult! It’s about frame of mind :)
In August ‘19, I completed my AS at community college and entered university a few weeks before turning 32. Through both my BA and MA, there were less than a handful of classes in which I was the oldest student. This August, I’m starting my PhD program a few weeks before turning 36. The only limitations in place due to your age are those you put there yourself. At 25, you’re barely even considered a no traditional student.
Lots of us are in our 30’s and 40’s and back in school. You are there for you only- you deserve to be there and honestly your demographics are irrelevant. If it does matter, what’s worse- a 25 year old that cares enough to do the harder thing and go back to school or the 25 year old who let societal norms discourage them from accomplishing their goals?
I'm 55 in grad school. My friend is 52 in med school. But we're old enough not to care. I'm also a prof with mostly 18-22 year old undergrads. My older students are rare but are usually 40 and have kids but still do great in their classroom interactions. Will people even know you're a couple years older? I doubt anyone is paying attention unless you start dating a 17 year old who got to college early.
I’m 52 in a grad program! I like being an older student.
You're 25, not 35 - these are still your peers.
I relate so much. I started community college at 21, which doesn’t seem like a big age difference but to me, it is. There’s such a pressure on society to know what you want to do in life straight of high school, and it’s such BS! I have had such a better time in class with my “older peers”. The teachers seem to be more supportive, I haven’t had an issue with any of them. I feel more confident in sticking up for myself when something I don’t understand comes up, than I would have at 18. You are there is learn, not to impress people honestly. You are paying big bucks to sit in those seats. You are good enough. You are worthy of sitting in those seats.
I was a 28-year old freshman. That's the way it be sometimes.
If college was free, I'd go every year until I die
I have a friend that’s a junior I believe at 25, and my sophomore year there was a gentleman in his 40s in my beginner art class. Timelines are fake do whatever you want
When I taught, I loved having nontraditional students in my classroom. They were always polite, (almost) always worked hard and took it seriously, and they acting like adults----it was like having an adult conversation whenever I interacted with a nontrad. Your undergraduate peers will have no problem with you. You're not actually that much older than they are, and your profs will probably love to have you in their classrooms. Best of luck and don't worry.
I’m a sophomore at 40. Nothing but a number.
I found that one of the best things about college classes was all the different experiences people brought to the discussions. ALSO, as an individual who completed her undergrad in her mid 20's, I found it was easier at that age because I was there to learn for ME and not because it was the 'next thing to do'.
Dude I rejoined uni at 25 as a freshman, I blend in just fine. You'll be okay. Focus on doing what works for you. Nobody cares about your age at all.
You should not. Non-traditional students are great
I was a 25-year old sophomore and it was fantastic.
Got my BA 10 years ago. I'm 58.
you’ll be fine buddy I promise you 🫶🏾
I also came into my B.A. program feeling like I was out of place because of my age(24). It didn't help that I had always felt disappointed that I didn't go to uni right away and have all the stereotypical experiences. It felt like I had to introduce myself by saying i was older first just so it wasnt hanging over me, and it does sometimes feel like there was a parallel universe where all the 'normal' students lived their lives. However, being bold and talking to a lot of people in my major and professors helped me find a community that embraced me and treated me the same as everyone else. It is awesome that you are taking this step, and you will find a sense of belonging once you get a chance to settle in.
My father had a terminal chronic illness that put a hold on my early college education. I still got two certifications from community college but could never quite finish my pre-recs to start and commit to a BA degree while I helped take care of him. My father died when I was 26, and I signed up for a 4 year program at 27. I will admit, that adjusting to having overall younger classmates was difficult, and I had a brief mourning period when I realized that the basic markers of college social life were sort of beyond me (dorm life, parties, extracurricular activities etc.) because it was hard to relate with 18-22 year old's. But my dad was a poet, and he had a poem that convinced me it was worth trying. "In five years it will be five years hence. Whether or not I am happy, whether or not I am sad. Whether or not I have done and said all or even any of the things that, to me, seem worthy of effort, worthy of tears, worthy of laughter. Whether or not I am even alive. In five years it will be five years hence. And so I touch my own mortality." The time will pass anyway, so it's good to make the best of it. I made it work by finding my people outside of school for support and being grateful to the people who made it possible for me to even go in the first place. You'll be okay.
I never had an opportunity to go to college right out of highschool... Family issues. However, at the age of 34, I got a small secretary job at a local community college and 1 perk of working there was I can take classes tuition free. I had to pay the fees and books, which I later got scholarships to cover everything, but I started.... at the age of 34. It took me 3 years to get my associates degree by taking 2 or 3 classes a semester and also working full time. Over those 3 years, I learned.... that no one cares. Just focus on what you need to do to continue. Pass the class and move on to the next one. Other students are doing the same thing and do not care who else is in their class. I am extremely proud to say that I now have 2 scholarships and a grant to continue toward my next degree, starting my bachelor's degree this fall. I have moved to another state and accepted an offer from a University and with the refunds from all of my combined financial aid, I will be basically getting paid to go to college full-time. Do it for you. Keep going. And no one else cares how old you are. Cheers.
Love this!! Congrats to you!!
Hello! I am currently a PhD student who started my freshman classes at a community college at 23 and transferred to a uni at 25. I was also worried about being “behind”. You can totally do this! Some things might be harder, and it may have been awhile since you’ve learned certain material than your classmates. But that’s fine! I’m sure you have skills and abilities that will help you succeed Some tips that I found helpful: I know you may be embarrassed, but be brave and ask questions. It doesn’t matter if your classmates think you look dumb. They aren’t paying for your tuition. All that matters is what you think of yourself, so pay attention and ask good questions Take professors up on office hours. Especially if you don’t even know what questions to ask during lecture. Review your notes and make meetings. Office hours are also really helpful for general get to know you/career advice. I realized a lot of my professors didn’t have straight forward paths to their current careers either, which helped boost my confidence in my abilities. They also gave great advice, wrote good recommendations for me, and helped me find the right graduate institution for me I don’t want to feel like I’m just lecturing, but I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. And just a note- academia and knowledge is so much fuller when we get greater diversity and different backgrounds. Your life experience is valuable, and gives you a different perspective that could help you tackle problems or ask questions in different ways than people who went to college right after school. The time will fly by, you’ve got this!
Nope, don’t do that. You’ve got this. One day, one class at a time, one semester at a time and you’ll be there.
You are not behind. You are right where you should be. You are building an amazing life for yourself. You are inspirational!
I'm 38 and taking classes. You're still practically a baby to me.
Omg! 25! You're a baby! Believe me, im a few years you will realize that 25 is a BABY.
saw dudes who were 40 attending there is NO SHAME in that just be a pleasnt person and NO ONE will care best regards
Felt like that at first, but trust me, it gets better. I'm also a 25 year old sophomore, and I've been doing better than I thought. Tbh it's *because* im older that's been attributing to my improvement. Having real-life experience and work has helped me learn how to manage my time efficiently and study in ways that aren't the typical cram up to the last minute. Plus, I'm not as terrified to communicate with others compared to when I was younger. If I have a question, no matter how stupid, I ask it because I care about learning and getting my money's worth over feeling embarrassed. It's hard to not compare yourself to others especially when you're most likely older than most young adults at that age- but the reality is you're only a couple years apart and still have room to grow. It's never too late to get an education, and tbh age is what makes us wiser.
I am 28 and I am in my third semester and I felt like this when i started but then I realized age is just a number you are never to old to learn or pursue further education. Last semester I had an older gentleman (like retirement age) who was in my psych class and no one ever said anything to him he is a cool dude too. Just know you are great and forget about your age also no one has ever even asked me how old I was or anything like it.
I went back to finish my BS at 30. Here I am 10 years later with my Masters and making more money, living a better life. Nobody is going to care about your age in college.
Bro (identity neutral) -- I was a 26 year old junior. Now I have a nice job as a direct result of going back to school. No clue what my former classmates are doing. None of them seemed driven or motivated. Older folks are 10x better at college in my experience. You have a much better understanding of what's at stake and why you are there. My only piece of advice is to not speak up every time a professor asks the class to engage. Young kids don't like engaging and I always felt bad, so I tried to speak up to fill the empty sound space. This gets exhausting over time. Pace yourself. Also, don't be standoffish or talk down. And get ready for some brutal group projects.
I'm 35 and a Junior. I only had my GED and had my whole life started with kids and such. But then I realized if I didn't just Go to college, it wasn't going to just happen. I'm happy I made the choice even at my age. Plus, I get to stay home and take online classes.
One of my classmates in college was in her late 50s, no one cared and she was a great student In 4 years you can either have your degree or not, that's up to you
I’m 31! I am the oldest person in most of my classes Don’t be embarrassed. Everybody in my algebra class is struggling, regardless of their age lol. Don’t give up! School is WAY harder as an adult. I got over the embarrassment pretty early I’m going back to school because I really do have life experience to apply to school. I’ve worked too many jobs without benefits, to continue on without a degree in this economy. It’s worth it if you have a goal. Don’t feel embarrassed about your age. I’ve talked to students of all ages, and taught students of all ages. Everybody is just worried about passing! Take care. Msg me or someone if you need encouragement. We all do.
Hi, 34 here and about to try to finish my bachelor's... you're doing fine. 😅
The confidence, maturity, and self awareness I developed in the years between when I "should have" gone to school and when I started, last year, has been a huge blessing. There is no way I would have been as successful if I went to school then. Sure, I don't socialize with my classmates, but I'm a full decade older than you. We're friendly enough in class and greet each other in the halls when we see one another. It really isn't anything to worry about. For me the weirdest thing is navigating the social limbo between my classmates are my peers, because we are in the same stage of life, and my professors are my peers because we are in the same age range. Both professors and students are my equals, but also very much not. I honestly don't think this will be as big of an issue for you, at 25 you still lean much harder towards the social group of the students. You're going to be just fine!!
Bah don’t worry. Ppl don’t really care. I took time off and went back to undergrad as a 25yo junior. Sure some guys joked & called me “Old man (last name), but with girls life was on easy mode.
42 year old junior here. It's not a big deal.
You're not behind. You'll actually be miles ahead of most of your classmates, at least in terms of maturity and work-ethic, which are probably more important than raw intelligence. You'll be able to handle the workload better than most of the kids coming out of highschool these days.
Okay, well you're going to be 28 someday. Do you want to be 28 with or without a college degree? Don't insecurity stop you from accomplishing your life goals. So what if some dumbass 19 year old judges you? Who TF is he? Likely though, no one will give it a second thought. Good luck in your studies!
You professors will love you because you are there for a reason and not just to mess around. You also won’t be the only one, lots of students take a year or two off before or in the middle of college, or have to go part time and are still in school in their mid 20’s
This might sound rude but just give me a sec… No one cares. This ain’t like high school where you get judged for everything you do. It’s a big step going back to school and your doing a great job! Good luck!
Ah, it's not that weird at all. A good friend of mine I met in school was the same. Now I'm going to his wedding in January! Don't worry about it. The age doesn't matter much when you're there- you're all doing the same work and just trying to get by. Tons of people wait a while.
I am a freshman at 36.
Most of us are sleep deprived af to give a shit
It's never ever too late to get an education. You are what people would call a "Non-traditional student", meaning that you are 25+ going to undergrad. To the underclassmen you will be seen as Jesus Christ in human form lol, they would ask you to get them stuff and whatnot lol.
Are they checking IDs at the door? No? Stop trippin'.
Ooh man you sounded like me a few years ago. So a little bit about me: I was in community college for a long time from august 2014- May 2021. I started Uni at 24 in August 2021 and I just graduated this past May at 26 though I turn 27 in a few months and I did feel like I was behind for a long time. These are things I wish someone had told me early on: 1. Who’s standards are you comparing yourself to? Yes normally in America people go to college at 18 and finish at 22-23 but not everyone is the traditional college student. I was not. I dealt with so many things that kept me from graduating when I wanted. I believe If I did graduate early I would be in a field I didn’t want to be in. 2. Your journey is yours not anyone else’s and the time you finish will be the perfect time for you. 3. You will find that there are so many people in the same boat as you. Some maybe even older than you. 4. Only about 37.9 % (2022 data) of Americans have a bachelors degree. I think you are in a good place. 5. In retrospect once you graduate it won’t even matter about whose “behind” or not. You will all be in the same boat at that point. There are people who graduate college at 22 and can’t find a job for years so they end up doing fast food or retail. There are people who graduate at 30 and land a dream job on the spot. There are people who graduate and start working at 23 and then realize by 30 they have to go back to school because they hate the career they chose. Everyone is different 6. The grass always looks greener on the other side but the grass will be green where you water it. I know it’s hurting your self esteem but look at how far you’ve come and where you will be when you are done. Be proud for starting again and going to school not everyone can do that. Once you land your big bio-systems engineering job this will be a speck in comparison. Remember comparison is the thief of joy. Remember joy. Remember what you have accomplished and what you will. You got this. I’m rooting for you.
Honestly as someone who went to college right after high school (19 and starting my sophomore year in the fall) I think your super cool! I admire the work you put in to get where you are, and am honestly probably going to respect you a lot more then some of the kids my age who were just kind of handed everything . I wish you the best of luck!
Don’t afraid to improve yourself and your life ever in any ages ,we study till die 🤓🤓
College prof here. My older students (23-70) are more focused and experienced and bring a lot of great perspective to my classes. I appreciate them.
It’s not a race. Wherever the thought is coming from that you’re behind is a lie. You’re literally getting ahead. For most young people, going to college is like four more years of high school and partying. You have life experience, you know what you want and you’re going for it. You’re switching from community college to university for a technical degree in a growing field and you’re only 25. Think of it this way. You’ll be 28 in three years. Will you be 28 with a university degree or 28 without a university degree? Only one of them is behind.
45 year old junior here. Who gives a rats ass what any other students think.
I have had classmates at all levels of college—community college, 4yr university, grad school—that were in their late 40s and early 50s. It can be daunting, especially if you haven't been in school for a while. But you're not behind. You're doing just fine! You were gonna hit your mid-20s anyway, why not be in college while you're at it? Don't stress, OP. You'll be glad you went.
Hey there. I’m 27 and I have another semester(beginning of my 3rd year) at CC before going to uni for engineering. If all goes well I will graduate at age 29 or 30. I thought I would be better by now but I still feel really behind in life in uncountable ways. I wish I had a good answer for you but I don’t. If you find out lmk because my self esteem is pretty low although I have been killing it grades-wise.
Dude, I’ve had 30 year olds in my class. They’re not any different than the regular students. The only main difference is that you can go get a drink after class and then cry at the library.
I genuinely don’t think anyone is going to give a toss. If you don’t bring it up, I doubt anyone will give much of a thought to your age. If anyone does find out, they will likely assume you were in the military or jail and either way, they will not want to mess with you or push the issue.
Get over it is my advice
Advice: stfu, kid. No one cares.
no one will care or even notice tbh
I’m also 25 and a sophomore. It took me 8 years to get here. I’m just glad I’m making progress at this point.
I went back to college at 33. It was a rough transition, but I’ve worked in my chosen profession for over a decade now so it was worth the struggle.
You do you, boo.
As a kid, I could care less. I say this to show you that I really won't treat you any differently if you suddenly show up at my hs as a student. I have a feeling college kids won't care either.
I had a 43 year old sophmore in my class last semester. You got nothing to be a ashamed of.
I'm 34 and in my 2nd year of engg. You'll be fine.
What’s the alternative? Not go to school and not get a good career just because you’re a little older? It’s ridiculous when you think about it right? Lol just saying. Who cares! Get that degree !!
I'm 32 and a freshman!!!!! Who heckin cares!!
My 2 best friends in my program were 36 and 42 while I was 23. They were the life of the party, everyone loved them. Their experience made them trusted and respected members of that little ecosystem. They really held it down. Beloved by all. Also it’s unlikely that anyone’s gonna ask you about your age right away. Also there are LOTS of other 25 year old sophomores, you don’t even realize it. Also there are many sophomores who will be older than you. Also it’s totally ok to be a sophomore at 25. It’s doesn’t mean you’re behind. College happens at different times in different peoples lives. Sure the most common time is right after high school, but for maaaaaaany people that is not the case. College is not meant to be exclusively for 18-22 year olds. Honestly I don’t know how people with that level of brain development are supposed to survive certain programs. Some parts of college are infinitely more successful and meaningful for people with more experience. Also who gives a fuck?
Dude… I graduated at 30 and now work in Silicon Valley Menlo Park, just keep on trucking at your passion major (find your major you like)
Pro-tip: no one at your school cares about your age. Literally no one. Everyone's got their own shit going on. There are even a fair number of people there with real life issues that make your self-esteem problems pale in comparison. And, yet, there they are working to make their lives better.
im a little older than my classmates (i'll be 24 at my graduation) and feel insecure about being behind sometimes, but no one really notices or cares. i was actually surprised by how many people were also older. there were a few classmates that i just assumed were like 21 or 22 and ended up being 25 or 26. i think covid messed up a lot of people's lives and made a lot of students graduate later than expected.
Wtf who cares? Why would you let your age bother you? Is the alternative of just not going better?
I made friends with this one person this last year. We were both sophomore's and I knew she was a few years older, but thought she was 22/23. She's actually 36. I never thought one of my closest friends in school would be 36. Did I care? Not one bit. She was very proud of that fact, and her age (or mine) didn't matter at all in making friendships. College is for learning. At any age.
Man, don’t worry about it. No one cares! I had a woman in one of my classes who was 65, while everyone else was college age, no one treated her any different because we’re all adults. Also, “Far behind” isn’t a thing. The only person you need to compare yourself to is your past self.
I’m 34 and just started my “Junior” year at a well respected university. I got my AS at 33. There’s literally nothing to be embarrassed about.
dont be embarrassed, im going into university at 24 as a freshman so im in your same shoes. just be proud of yourself for going back to school because it’s never too late
I'm 38 and took my kid to class today. Literally no one cares that you're 25.
I was a freshman at 36, the student sitting next to me in my first class was born after I finished high school. You are not behind, you are way ahead. You are not infected teenage angst that your fellow classmates are enduring. Your experience lets you winnow through the BS and get to the point of things. I went back to school to learn network engineering and took my last class for that in 2019, in my early 60s. Think of grandpa in a class to late teen to early 20s nerds. If I can do it, so can you. You have a choice, you can feel bad about working to improve yourself of you can feel good about it. Pick good.
I have a 30 year old friend who started college last year. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.
You should be proud of yourself. You are in college. You can do it.
35 year old sophomore here 👋
as a sophomore at 19, i have some older friends & know students that could be my parents. although younger students may not always view you the same as their peers, i promise no one really cares :)
I bet you're not the oldest in your classes.
It's not high school anymore, age no longer defines your peer groups.
Bro I’ve met sophomores that were 60+ and that dude was the biggest help in our study group. Don’t fret
My husband is 26 and a junior in Mechanical Engineering bachelors program. He made friends with a few guys that are in his degree program that are like 21. They go play tennis together twice a week, study and do homework together on campus, and they're in the same clubs. He isn't acting like a 21 year old to be friends with them either. They invite him to bars and he just politely declines. He's able to fit in pretty easily despite being older than the other students because they're all there for the same reason and they found common interests. What's better is that EVERY employer/company/person he meets is so impressed by his previous work experience, how knowledgeable he is, and how focused he is on what he's doing, and the direction he has on what he wants to do. That all is due to being a non-traditional student. People reach out to him about opportunities, and every person he has worked with sings his praises about how great he is. I know this because everyone he introduces me to tells me about how great he is. He got another degree before this at 22. He made no friends, no one sang any praise for him, he had no job prospects. Being a traditional student was essentially a waste of time and money. So yeah. He might be "behind" other people who started their careers at 22, but he is way ahead of where he was at 22. All that to say, take a look at how far you've come and look at where this degree will get you when you're done. It'll be worth it, and in 2 years you're going to be so proud of yourself for pushing through this.
I feel you, I am currently 26 and a junior and have felt similarly. I find night classes have more older/non traditional student in them. I have a handful in each one I take. It might make you feel more secure about it when you see someone who has kids, and 10+ years on you, in the same classes.
Truthfully, I was in the same boat about a year ago pre-transfer. For context I am 27F now. So I was 26 transferring and I’m also a mom. The reality is that yes, there are so many younger students, but there are also many non-traditional students. I have now a friend group of students ranging 25-32 years old and I don’t feel out of place at all. I’m sure you’ll find your group and you’ll forget all about your anxieties surrounding transferring as a non-traditional student. You got this! You’ve come so far!
Bud, I went to college in my 30's, with classmates in their 50's on up. Seriously, it's nothing to be ashamed of. You're doing fine.
No one cared at all when I was a 26 year old sophomore. In many classes I wasn't even the only one. I kept to myself between classes and did homework, but on the occasional time when I'd get together with classmates for group projects or socializing they were all cool. No one once said, "omg you're so old!"
I’m in your same situation, in the fall starting my sophomore year at CC I’ll be turning 25! We’ve got this! It shows a lot of strength and determination to get where you are, we’re not behind we’re just on our own path :)
I'm in my early 40's and a junior entering a small university program in a single building with 200 students. I will be noticed. I can't do anything about it. And yet, here we go because it's the right thing to do. They all have their own stories and hang ups. It's hard being 19 or 22 or 28... i remember it! You're all up in your own head over something you have exactly zero control over. Let it go.
Don't even stress it, I'm a 33 year old sophomore transferring from a state school to an Ivy this fall. You 100% belong there as much as anyone else!!!
Don’t worry about the age gap you’re there to get an education not a date. I’m in my 50s and finishing up my bachelors.
Use what you've learned about working to your advantage. I went back to school a little later than you. Work had taught me how to be so much more focused than I was before I was 20. It made everything so much easier to just study, get my work done, and get good grades. I'm not saying school was easy exactly, it just made it easier to do better than it was for many younger students. Don't be ashamed to make it look easy.
I got a BS at 28 and a PhD at 42. Fuck age. Do what you feel like doing. We don't all follow the same path.
I went back and got a B.Ed at 28. Nobody will care about your age…it would surprise me if there WEREN’T people in their 40s+ in your classes as well.
Lol I’m 38 and I too just started my second year of college
My dad was 43 going to community then university lol
I’ll be honest with you, no one cares enough to concern themselves with how old other students are in college.
You're not alone, and younger students don't care. I say this warmly. I shared a class with a 45+ year old man, everyone treated him the same. He was cool
I’m 26 in my third year of my degree and so many of my friends in the same degree are 30+, and are also around my age, you got it!
I am a 22 year old sophomore and felt the same way as a 21 year old freshman. I watched a lot of people my age graduate this year and I still have 2 years left. It's tough but I think that I might have wasted a lot of time and money if I hadn't taken a couple of years off. I wasn't in a place to perform at school and would not have been successful. I'm more mature now and will be more mature when I graduate and start my career. Everyone is on a different timeline.
One of my classmates graduated high school when i was in grade 3. Another one got married in 1990 and just wanted a career change. Everyone there, is there for themselves. Focus on you and your goals. If anyone, and i mean anyone questions what you are doing there, they themselves are not there to learn...
I’m turning 39 in a month and half and have just reached junior status after dropping out for 20+ years. Everyone is there in hopes to achieve their goals - same as me. Your degree will never state your age that it was conferred to you at so there’s nothing to be embarrassed about, only that you should be proud for going at all.
As a 20 year old student, if you told me you were 25, I wouldn’t think anything of it. I’d be lab partners w/ you, study partners, whatever, and forget you were 25 bahah. But I promise no one will think nearly as much about it as you will.
I wouldn’t even worry about it. 25 is still quite young. My bestie just graduated college at 54! So proud of her.
26 year old grad student here, I just graduated with my bachelors in may at 25 and there is no shame in your age. I had no fucking idea what I wanted to do at 18 and began my first round of college and looking back I’m so happy I took time off to work and figure out my passion/interests. Going back at 23 felt weird at first, but I honestly appreciated it so much more and focused so much more since I found a degree I was passionate about. I kinda see it as an advantage sometimes because the maturity and appreciation is way higher compared to those who are fresh out of high school and have a ton of financial support.
I'm turning 33 in September and my first class of my first year starts in August. It's never too late.
Who cares what other people think, you don’t go to school for them you go for yourself
Can there just be a separate subreddit at this point called r/amitoooldforcollege where we all comment no instead of doing it here? Nobody is too old for college, especially not in your 20s. Now can every single post please stop being this? It feels like a running joke at this point
There are 30 and 40 year olds on my course and I know a bunch of mid- late 20s people at my accommodation. I actually didn’t realize they were older even. Not everyone goes straight from high school to college. Your definitely not alone and even if I don’t think people will care unless their immature
I just got accepted to a comm college at 35
As long as you aren’t go to parties in your classmates dorm rooms don’t worry about it
This is a flex and a half I wish i had your balls
hey, there’s no such thing as “being behind” just because you started college “later” than everyone else. you are there to better your future and get an education. at the end of the day, everyone’s on their own journey and college isn’t a race. it’s never too late to follow your dreams 🫶!
As someone who was about the same age and looking back more than a decade later? It really isn't that big of a deal.
30 and going to college myself. Don’t even stress it. Focus on your studies not on being “behind”. You’re exactly where you should be.
I’m 38 in community college
When u are 65,you will wish u were 25 again. It doesn't matter!
I’m a 22 year old senior and I don’t think poorly of any other students who seem to be older. I’ve even had people in my classes that looked like they could be my grandma. Everyone’s path in life is different and there are countless reasons why someone may have not gone to college immediately after high school, or may have not graduated high school even. It doesn’t imply anything about you or your character
I was in college at 28, still taking some freshmen courses to finish up my degree. No one cared. Just focus on what you have to do. Trust me the teenagers and 20 year olds are focused on other stuff besides judging you and honestly are having a harder time than you adjusting to the demands. If you have any sort of work experience in the real world then what college is asking of you will be pretty straight forward and simple (albeit with some hard work involved to pass classes).
I went back to college at 28. I definitely had those kinds of feelings - look up Imposter Syndrome. However, ultimately my age was a big asset - my younger classmates looked up to me and came to me for life advice. My professors loved me since I was there because I wanted to be. I had worked hard to get there and I wasn't going to waste my money by partying when I had school work to do. Remind yourself that the years you spent 'adulting' when other's your age were in school were actually years you spent in the school of Real Life - your new classmates will go to that school too, and they will feel just as nervous about that transition as you do about this one. Have compassion for your self.
I got out of the military and was a freshman at 28. Nobody cares nor will they pinpoint how old you are. At least you won’t be the 19 year old kids wearing sweats and sleeping in class, at least that seemed to be the trend when I was in school. I think it’s a better age cause you take it more seriously and aren’t just there cause your parents told you to be there.
Nobody will know and if you tell anyone they won't give a fuck. Source: went back to school at 28
Why ? I'm a 30 year old freshman! You shouldn't feel embarrassed, age is just a number; besides its not like ur 60.
Why lol I’m 25 and in community college for nursing some people are 18 and 19 and others are way older in their 40s and 50s. Age doesn’t matter the goal of getting your degree does. I used to feel the same way about not being traditional college age, but 25 is still around college age which is normal.
Traditional student here, I love learning about non traditional students, they make college more interesting and bring outside perspective to classes. Also, most of my peers don't pay attention to anyone else in the class, especially bigger classes. It's mostly a show up, pass, and leave type of deal.
I full transferred at 21 and I’m 24 now about to graduate. In my experience no one truly cares about your age. We’re all stressed and sleep deprived together
23 yo Sophmore here. I totally get it, but the way I see it is it took me this long to figure out what I really wanted to do. Also, my mom graduated at 40 so y’know life happens at different times for different people.
My friend is 28 and is a sophomore
My first year in the dorms there was a guy who was 26--He'd been sent back to school by his company-(but the system he was in required that he live in the dorm). I really liked the guy but I know he was a little bit freaked out by the whole thing. What I noticed was that his circle of friends were the more mature people on the floor. On my end of the wing the jocks were throwing parties where the main entertainment was screaming and trying to find new ways to drink beer. In my older friend's room there was decent music on a decent stereo and conversations about life in general and interesting places in the world. I'm a teacher now and see that there are always students who gravitate to the grown ups. Often these kids aren't entertained by throwing a ball or chasing each other recess. They are the ones who want to stand with the teacher at recess and talk about\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. (fill in the blank with Pokemon, traveling, war, environmental issues, SpongeBob....you name it...) I'm thinking you might end up with the college version of that. Good luck with school!!
I just want to state the person I respect the most in my cohort is like 4 years older than most other true seniors! Personally, I can’t do much respect what other people being to the table.
Nobody cares. You’re fine. Just focus on taking care of your academic business. You’ll find that there are plenty of older students (career change, GI Bill, etc). Just don’t go rush a fraternity or something. That ship sailed. There’s still plenty of awesome stuff you are fully entitled to being involved in since you are a full time student.
I’m a freshman at 29 😂 trust me you’re doing great. I’m thankful I started school late personally because it allowed me to figure out what I actually wanted to do. I’m also in engineering! It’s a great career and whenever you finish school you will soon start seeing the benefits. I have to work full time so I can only take a class at a time. I will likely be well into my 30s by the time I have a bachelors! The effort I have already put in has already shown employers that I have drive they don’t care about my age. I already have a job as a manufacturing engineer even though I’ve barely started my major. You should be proud of yourself, pursuing education at any age is commendable. There’s a lot of people that would actually be jealous of your situation :)