1. When you had to live through everyone's judgment:
2. When you walk into the classroom:
My chem lab instructor has braces and is 10 years younger than me. #nontraditionalstudentproblems #imnotthatold
3. And then when you look around:
Realizing that you had your drivers license when the rest of your classmates started kindergarten #nontraditionalstudentproblems
4. Whenever you interact with other students:
Is @borson89 at uni now?#maturestudent
5. And you find your interests don't exactly jibe.
Sometimes I don't think I'm much older than my fellow students. Then I go in my office and start listening to Queen. Maybe singing too.
6. When you realize your body can't do what it used to:
It isn't even 11PM yet and I'm in bed ready to pass out #nonTraditionalStudentProblems
7. When all-nighters won't cut it any longer:
As a freshman I was able to afford to not sleep and study #Ineedsleepteam #oldcollegestudent
8. When you remember why you're single:
Asked out on a date by a classmate that can't legally buy me a beer-He thought I graduated HS in 2008 #MmmNo #NontraditionalStudentProblems
9. When they don't realize your parents aren't home:
10. When you don't get first pick at registration:
Wishing that more STEM courses for degrees were offered at night. #nontraditionalstudentproblems
11. When neither of your worlds can be put on pause:
College is easy. Real life is hard. Trying to do both at the same time is fucking impossible. #nontraditionalstudentlife
12. And extracurriculars are a distant dream:
How the freak am I supposed to do an internship when the only available hrs are during the times I work? #NonTraditionalStudentProblems
13. When you're given unsolicited advice from someone ten years your junior:
14. When housework is your last priority:
Word2wise! Don't be #selfemployed #maturestudent #adultlearner+3 kids+menagerie if this does your head in #toptip
15. When you're a parent, and this is the only clean cup:
16. And when this is your study buddy:
Just working in my midterm. #MommysLittleHelper #NonTraditionalStudentProblems #UWW #fb
17. When you realize how true this is:
#MomInCollege #nontraditionalstudent
18. When your presence baffles everyone:
A freshmen just asked me if I was a grad student, an instructor or in ROTC. #nontraditionalstudentproblems #truEMU
19. When you realize you're the only one who can buy your OWN booze:
20. When it's time to brush up:
"I haven't taken algebra in ten years... However, I did YouTube how to factor!" #nontraditionalstudentproblems
21. When you realize you're turning into a grump:
22. And you feel like you're struggling just to keep up:
Q for my fellow "mature students" & older professionals: how do you avoid burnout when learning new tech? How to avoid "checking out"?
23. When you'd rather drink with these guys:
#CollegeInYour30s problems: You feel more relatable and socialable to your professors than you do your fellow classmates.
24. When you find another nontrad:
25. When you realize how grateful you are:
Going to college in my 30s has made me so happy I'm no longer in my 20s.