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Even some people as young as 30 worry they're too old to go back to college or graduate school. They may fear they won't fit in socially, will have forgotten too much of what they previously learned, will learn too slowly, or forget too quickly.
Many articles have been written on returning students but tend toward patronizing reassurance. Students' fears are often rational and shouldn't be brushed off gratuitously. I'll try to give them fair attention here.
"Will I fit in socially?" Many people want to return to school, in part, because they like school's social aspect. But they recall, as a younger student, thinking it's odd for older people to be classmates. But today, an older student is less likely to be a unicorn. In part, that's because good jobs are harder to land, so more older people are returning to school in hopes of increasing their hireability.
It’s usually a mistake to try to act like a 20-year old: Using young person’s jargon, dressing like a teenie bopper, or showing off your knowledge of teen pop culture is transparent. Many young people are likely to think, “That’s pathetic.” It’s usually wiser to use your age as a strength. For example, in class discussion, you might bring up an experience that younger students probably haven’t yet had, for example, in the workplace or with your child or grandchild.
But think twice before lording your age over younger students, for example, with, “I’ve been around the block a little longer than you have.” Not only is that a fast path to alienation, it's hubristic. You've seen but a thin slice of the world.
During breaks or after class, you might ask younger people about what they’re in a better position to discuss than you are, perhaps that pop culture, hip technologies, or young people's social mores, for example, microaggressions and the college's new definition of rape.
‘Will I be able to learn fast enough?” It’s unfortunate but true that many older students have more difficulty learning and retaining material. The good news is that many older students compensate, at least in part, by being unusually dedicated to studying.
That said, many older students are wise to take fewer courses per semester, even starting with just one course to get your sea legs. As important, choose courses and professors known to be excellent teachers that don’t pile on undue amounts of work. Often, the same course taught by two different professors can vary greatly in demands. Fortunately, there are resources to help you pick professors.
Consider taking online classes. While online courses’ average completion rate is low, their being self-paced may be a compensating advantage to older students. Also, older people’s greater discipline may boost chances of completing an online course. Of course, online classes also have the advantage of flexibility to accommodate older people’s lives, which often include family responsibilities---Most online courses are at least partly asynchronous, allowing you to, for example, listen to a lecture or participate in a text-based discussion after your kids are in bed. And, of course, online courses avoid the need to commute to class.
Allow more study time than when you were younger.
Consciously decide which learning enhancements might work for you. For example, when you were younger, were any of these helpful: flash cards, study groups, reading aloud, reading a paragraph to yourself and then paraphrasing it aloud?
If self-discipline is an issue, might one or more of these work:
- Blocking out inviolate study times,
- Setting aside a quiet room. If one isn’t available, is there a library, community room, or coffee shop that will work for you?
- Time tactics. For example, some people set a timer for an hour after which they give themselves a reward. Then there is The Pomodoro Technique, named after those tomato-shaped kitchen timers. You set it for 20 minutes. work for the 20, then take a five-minute break. Work for another 20, then take 5 minutes. Then another 20 and take a 10-minute break.
Ask questions. In and out of class. If you fear your question is lower-level than justifies your classmates hearing, ask the professor the question in an email or during office hours.
Older students have had more time for prior learning. Some colleges give credit not only for previous courses but for life experience that's equivalent to a course. In evaluating which college program to enroll in, you might ask about this.
The takeaway
Many people benefit from a back-to-school stint, whether for career enhancement, learning for its own sake, or for social reasons. Might one or more of this article’s suggestions help you make the most of it?
