Advices for Older Students
Older students who return to school can feel fitting in stressful, perhaps even a bit intimidating. But it does not have to be.
1. Old is a quite relative term. You can feel old at 35, but to that 55-year-old student, you are among the younger crowd, so to the lady who could be in her 80s, you are still a child. The experience that you bring to the class owing to your age is component of what makes you a bonus. But do not come off as a know-all or you will turn everyone off. You should share your life wisdom and experiences, but be watchful to provide younger classmates time to consider and take part.
2. Attend class with a open mind. Beyond the obvious hair style and fashion shocks you might meet from the younger generation, the social and lingo manners may amaze you. This wonder may come in the kind of disgust, but bear in mind that judgment will get us nowhere. You should attempt being delighted by, or amused by, interested in, the people differences you see. That child in the low-riding pants and a stud via his tongue could be one of the interesting friends that you have ever met. Keep in mind the age-old proverb that you cannot judge a book by the cover.
3. Just because you are the same age as your teacher prevent the normal temptation to work together with himr. Become a great student first, and concentrate on relating to other students. You will alienate your classmates if you are more concerned in talking to your instructor than to them. Soon, your relationship with the teacher may become a friendship, but you should let your teacher choose when and if that is apt.