Going back to college. Am i doing the right thing?

LegacyUser

After a few years out of college, i will be going back in september. I will be doing a course to hopefully land me into a career i have always wanted to do. At 28 and spending my whole life dreaming of it i am only thrilled.

Now at 28 i am getting nervous even thinking about it. Moving away? The workload? What happens if im stuck for money? Making friends? Im really nervous about making friends. How do i start a conversation with fellow classmates? What can i do to make friends?

I guess the reason i am nervous about making friends is because i am in a job for the past couple of years and there was such a massive age gap. Most people were in their 50s/60s and they left you out and if they included you, they were like a very annoying aunt of yours treating you as if you are 16. Someone asked me a couple of weeks ago, when was i 21? I was quite insulted, they knew i have been there for years and they couldn't do the math. From their thinking, i must have been working since i was 12! Its like as if i am invisible.

I haven't factored in drinking money into my budget for the year. But should i make the effort to go out at the start of the year? Im thinking if there's any nights out to get to know the rest on the course, that might be easier to get to know people. What do students do regarding buying rounds in a pub? I can imagine they will be expensive? Id rather buy a pint and make it last.

I am giving up a job (which i dont like), but i will miss the money, the little bit i do get. My car broke down last week so thats my freedom gone for the summer. I suppose thats a good thing, i can save more. But i am bored more. I could always jump in the car and go off and im stuck now.

I do like my comfort zone but i need a change also. Am i doing the right thing?

kjl

I went back to college at age 27, had a blast. Just like I remembered it, the women were nice the course was fun and I graduated first in my year.

Just have fun, and enjoy what your doing and you will be fine.

tenchi-fan

yea, why not? don't expect college to land you a dream job, but you will enjoy the craic.

lovetea

First off well done on getting your course, that's brilliant. It's natural to be nervous and i'm sure there are plenty more thinking the same things as you.

I found that tutorials were a great way to meet people or you could chat to the people next to you in your lectures before it starts. All going well with the chat, you could ask them if they are going out later on and then swap numbers. Also i would recommend joining some clubs and societies to meet new people.

I'd definately go out at the start of year usually there is a fresher's week to welcome first years so there will probably be loads of drinks promotions on. In terms of drinks when i went out with my friends we would just buy our own drinks that seemed to be kinda norm with out class when we had class nights outs. But sure see how it goes when your out!

If you're finding it stressful with the workload or anything meet up with your tutor or you could meet with your lecturer (they usually have designated times to see them, well that's when i was in uni) but you could ask them after a lecture either.

Best of luck and hope you enjoy it!

Firetrap

Congratulations on getting the college place and best of luck

It's natural to get stressed out about it but you're not alone in feeling that. Yes, it wouldn't be any harm to socialise at the start of the year but it's not the only way you're going to meet people. When I started in university back in the day, I didn't know a soul so I just ended up starting conversations with people all over the place - waiting to go into lectures, before class, in tutorials, in the canteen. At the start of the year everyone's in the same boat and is trying to find some friendly faces. I was pretty shy in those days but it's amazing how necessity can overcome that. You could start a conversation about how you're finding the course, what you think of the place so far. Stuff like that and take it from there.

Bear in mind too that you are a mature student. There'll most likely be other mature students in your classes or in the college in general so it would be well worth your while making contact with them. They'll be easy to spot

prinz

Congrats OP. Best of luck. As for the rest

(i) Getting stuck for money - this is something all students have to struggle with tbh. Any savings? Perhaps a CU loan, grants etc?

(ii) Friends - in my year at college there were a number of mature students, and by mature I mean 58 not 28. It was great to have them in the class tbh, especially in tutorials, they weren't afraid to give real life examples, to bring up things that happened before the rest of us were born etc. Also back in first year for the first few months they were the only people with the courage really to speak out, ask questions and challenge lecturers in the lecture hall. I'm not going to pretend they were making best friends or anything but they weren't by any means outcasts or seen as weird or anything. They had a great relationship with other students.

(iii) As for drinking money. Sure a few class nights out are good to get to know some people. But maybe you would be better off looking at some clubs and societies for a better social life with less expense.

Andy-Pandy

Im 33 and just finished 1st year (horticulture). Going back to college is the best decision i have ever made in my life. I love it. Yes, im stone broke, but that is nothing against doing something i love and knowing that the job ill get at the end of it all will provide me a dream lifestyle. Just do it, and enjoy.

dazberry

I'm planning on going back to college in September at the age of 38. I had done two years of a similar degree back in the early 90s but never finished and have been working in the industry for the last 16, but my careers hit the skids a number of years ago and isn't going anywhere so now's a good time IMO to do this. I'm going straight into 3rd year and have saved a bit over the years so am covered financially.

I'm quite excited at the change of scene, but I have to say making friends / going drinking never really occurred to me. I'm a friendly guy so I won't have issue getting on with people and having a laugh, but maybe I'm just an old fart this time around thinking I'm there to do the course, I did enough partying last time in

D.

KillerKity

Well done on going back and bettering yourself! Your fears are normal but 27 is a young mature student and you shouldn't have anything to worry about! Just be yourself and get to know everyone without focusing on age. As for rounds, we never did it, much too expensive! I opted to smuggle naggins into pubs/clubs

LegacyUser

I'm mid-twenties and have just finished my first year back in college. A few points with regards to what you've said:

- Don't expect too much on the friendship side of things.
You're 28, they're going to be 17-19 year old kids and you won't have a lot in common. I hate most of the kids in my class because they're immature morons who I'd never consider having a pint with after their behaviour during classes and the disrespect they show the staff. If you're into sports or whatever, join the sports clubs and meet people your age / near your age there. With regards to your class, you aren't and never will be one of "them". You're one of the older dudes but that also has the benefit of extra inherent respect.

With regards to drinking/nights out, do it when you've found people your own age. The older dude going and getting pissed with a bunch of 18 year olds is going to come off badly.

- Mature students societies are full of freaks.
Seriously. They seem to attract the oddest of people in the college and are usually ran by the oddest. Nothing to do with their age, they're just weird (but friendly) people.

- Don't be afraid of borrowing.
Students in America end up leaving colleges with mortgages to repay, a few grand here to pay for your future, to be paid back in the future, doesn't hurt. I'm budgeting roughly €20,000 for the 4 years and work part-time for money too. It's genuinely much easier when you don't have to worry about money.

I love college and am looking forward to returning to it in September, but it's certainly not the same experience as when I first did a college course a number of years ago. Good luck with it, it's definitely the best decision you'll make.