WOW! I'm SOOOOOOO Much OLDER!

[2bNursewith7kids]

I don't know how some of the older folks on this board felt their first time going back to college but I just had to post on this. Today was my first day of nursing school going full-time during the day. Words cannot even describe how strange and out of place I felt today!!! I was the only "old" person in the entire classroom for most classes. There was only one course that actually had two more non-traditional students within them. Boy, to say that I felt awkward and so out of place, would be an understatement. How does an older student like me cope when you are sitting amidst young kids who are young enough to be your son or daughter??

[CarolinaGal]

Hang in there! I am in my second semester of nursing school and I am 60! I am having the best time of my life. The younger students constantly teach me and sometimes I have a life experience I can share with them. Also, my grades are at the top of the class. You will do magnificently!

[shoegalRN, RN]

I totally feel you. I am 32 years old and today was my first official day of nursing school and I was in culture shock! I have always attended evening classes at a community college with older non-traditional students. My nursing classes are during the day and at the university with "true sophomore" students living on campus and mostly about 19-21 years old. To top it off, I am also the only African-American in the class. There are only 4 non-traditional students (including me) in the program and we all feel out of place. I guess it's just a matter of time before I get used to it.

[GratefulHeart]

O I love that (being in classes with students my kids' ages)!!! I haven't laughed so much in years, and their energy is contagious.

Just show yourself friendly and accepting, and I promise that most won't hold the age difference against you. On the other hand, if you focus on being so much older, it could become a problem...