“What? I’d never do that.” “Good on you!” “You’re brave!” “That’s scary!” “I’m jealous.”
These are a sample of reactions I’ve received from people when I’ve told them that I’m going back to school after being out of school for over 20 years. I hadn’t even gotten to the point of telling them what I was going to study when I went back to school.
Now, after two semesters of full-time school, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not an easy thing to do, this going back to school as an older student. It’s actually really, really hard: the feelings of displacement and awkwardness; getting dormant brain cells reactivated; juggling competing priorities of school, work, home, children, and aging parents; ongoing financial challenges; and nurturing that key ingredient that keeps everything humming alongŃenergy.
Some of the older students I’ve met here at Camosun have offered up these little gems as some of the concerns that they grapple with. The term “older student” is accurate and descriptive, though some people may cringe upon hearing it. But, it’s true: I am older than the average student population.
Camosun doesn’t appear to have any social networks or supports explicitly focused on the older student. At least I’ve not encountered or read about anything yet.
However, that doesn’t mean that something can’t be started here.
How about starting an informal social gathering of older students? How about the initial gathering of older students occurs on Wednesday, September 18 at 2 pm in the cafeteria at the Lansdowne campus? I’ll bring coffee, tea, and treats, and a good ear for listening.
When does one start being an older student? I don’t know. How do you feel compared to your classmates? How do your goals, aspirations, challenges, and experiences compare with theirs? Does being an older student begin at age 27? 30? Over 35? You decide.
Hope to see some of you older students on September 18 in the cafeteria.