Going back to college at 25.

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So I already have one diploma from college and I'm going back to college this year to start a new program. I'm going back to the same college as I did before but I was a lot younger before. This was before I started working, before my whole Alberta experience, before my nervous breakdown and hospitalization and now I'm starting all over again.

I'll admit it, I am terrified of going back to college. Don't get me wrong, I am excited but it's just scary going back to college because I haven't been in school for a few years now plus I'm older. I have a feeling I'll be at that age where most of the students will be a lot younger than me. Would it be awkward trying to make friends with somebody freshly out of high school? I usually have to have at least one or two friends in college or else I'll probably have a nervous breakdown from anxiety. I'm worried that I'll find the work too difficult and that I wont make any friends or that I'll faint from pure anxiety on the first day. Another thing is I'm turning 26 this September and now I'm living back with my parents again so that doesn't make me feel that great but I don't really have a choice if I want to survive my college experience.

Would anyone like to share their personal experiences? Is anyone in the same boat as me this year?

I am in the same boat as you.
I have a degree is something I am no longer interested in, not to mention I screwed up academically because of personal reasons. (Nervous breakdown as well, couldn't cope with stress from juggling work/school/mental and physical abuse from family/etc. and I completely lost it.)

I want to go back to college now that I am more mature and stable.
I am also 25.
But I am scared as well.

I see where my peers are in life (living on their own, careers, with families, etc.) and I can't help but feel like a failure.

All I can do is stay positive, the last thing I need is to collapse again.
Wish I can offer advice, but if it's any comfort, I am in the same situation you are in.

I'm three years younger than you are and I'm older than most (but not all) of my fellow students. I haven't made any friends, though—not because of my age, but because my interests are very different from those of most other computer science students.

Good luck!

Yeah, I have a psychiatrist but she's no help in anything but handing out medication. It's like talking to a brick wall. I think I'm going to seek on campus counselling as soon as I start.

I have very similar circumstances.

I attended college when I was fresh out of high school. I didn't do very well because I was having a lot of trouble with anxiety and depression. I was in a very bad place mentally. I ended up drinking and doing drugs a lot. I've made numerous other mistakes along the way. It sucks.

I'm 24, and I have similar reservations about interacting with people who are a lot younger than me. When I was being treated for asperger symptoms by a psychologist all I got were drugs that didn't work. I have nothing but bad memories about being on those drugs and I haven't ever regretted quitting them.

I think you'll do well and make a few friends at school. You always have something interesting to say on this site. I've read your posts many times. Hang in there...

Yeah, thanks guys.

From my own experience, I can tell you I get along with two 21 years olds just fine thanks to my emotional immaturity. As well, while the majority are 21 and under there are people from all ages in University or College and they won't even notice or care about your age one bit. Trust me, I know a lot of people in their mid 20's to mid 30's in post secondary schools and none of them have any issues whatsoever. I might even go back myself part time and I'm 29. On top of that, some might even look up to you with respect for taking such a bold step.

I was in the same boat when I was about your age. I loved it! I had such a different attitude towards studying. It was really about learning the coursework, not about making friends. Even so, I made some. None that I really became close with outside of uni, but people that I could hang out with in class and sometimes between classes. Towards the end of the degree there was a group of students I spent most of the time with, who were on average a few years younger than me. I did notice a difference in maturity level. I also became acquainted with a couple of other mature-age students - they were a bit older than me. Perhaps this would be more your style, to befriend those who are a bit older rather than a bit younger, if you do find that there isn't anyone your age.

Anyway overall, I'd say it's a lot better going to uni at a later stage in life, as you really do get engrossed in the learning rather than the partying, which can only be a good thing, right? I felt lonely at times, but I don't think it was that big of a deal, looking back.

All the best

Thanks, yes I am pretty immature age wise.

Yeah, that's what I thought as well. I want to really try hard this time around and concentrate on my studies. I'm done with the whole partying thing. I just want one or two friends in my program just so I have somebody to kind of talk to about the work and so I can pair off with them for any projects I have to do. I hate feeling like a loner in school, I went through a lot of my middle school years like that.

I'm also in the same boat, but I'm close to 24 and returning to school to recieve my first degree. The first time I went I was unsure of what I wanted to do so I just sort of fizzled out and now, five years later, I've decided on a major and I'm pretty excited to actually concentrate on the classes instead of attending school with little intrinsic motivation. It all seems overwhelming, mostly because of finances, but I'm just taking one thing at a time.

As for the age thing or finding people to get to know, I don't know how your university is but where I've attended there is quite a diverse group of students whether it's age or culture, and I wouldn't even be concerned about it.

Out of curiousity, what are you majoring this time compared to when you originally attended?

I first attended college right after high school and I took Human Services Counselor and dropped out because of my social anxiety and not being able to make friends. I was also very immature and didn't know enough about myself.

I attempted college again the year after. I completed Early Childhood Education last time and I graduated with honours. The program itself was easy for me and I was happy because I made some great friends before. I also have a passion for psychology so I enjoyed the education. The career itself is hard. It's too overstimulating for me. This field made me learn so much about myself. I enjoyed the school bit but the application of working was just too much for me. It's actually when I became a bit more aware of my quirkiness and started thinking that I had AS, while I was working in daycare.

So I'm trying one last time at Library and Information Tech. I believe it's something I'll be able to do, it pays better and I don't believe it'll be as overstimulating as ECE. I'm just sooo nervous that I wont be able to make friends or do the program. I do have a learning disability, central auditory processing disorder and dyscalculia plus my mental health issues so I'm also scared that it'll be too hard for me even though English was always my strong subject. I'm also very detail oriented, I like organizing things and I'm observant.

The good part about going back to college is I'll be able to get tested for AS under OSAP which would originally have cost me $2500. Plus I can go to the centre for students with disabilities as well as on campus counselling. I'm just very nervous about the whole going back to school thing and making friends.

I'm in a similar boat. I'm going back to college after several years off at 28 years old. I am living on my own, but just moved out for the first time. I first went to an actual college when I was 23 and was older than most of the students in my classes, but there were a few that were my age or older. I may be the oldest one in my classes this time, but I found that some of the younger students were more mature than others last time and I'm hoping there will be a few this time too.
I didn't get a diagnosis through the testing covered by OSAP, but that could have been because of the lack of experience of the psychometrist and psychologist that I saw. I went to a small college that had little/no experience with ASDs. I had to fork out the $2500, but I got $8000 in grants from the government this year for assistive technology and so I don't have to pay as much back to OSAP, so it was worth it.
I also get to use the Centre for Access this time, which I hope will be helpful. If you can work with a learning strategist, disability specialist, and a counselor you might find college easier to fit in to this time. I'm hoping that will be the case with me.
I hope you have a great experience with college!

Isn't that what psychiatrists just do? Listen to your blabla and handle out "fitting" medications to your blabla?

I've always got the impression psychiatrists and psychologists should be avoided at all costs when you are an aspie as they are no use and are extremely expensive too (unless you want medications).

Yeah, I only go to my psychiatrist for medication to keep me stable. She's not great to talk to. Luckily I don't have to pay for her. It's covered under my province's health plan OHIP. I'd have to pay for a psychologist though that's why I don't go to one. Luckily I'm a student now so I'll get more help on campus with that kind of stuff.

I attended college to study musical theatre for the first time at age 23, had two nervous breakdowns in a row (anorexia, then bipolar disorder diagnoses), and finally returned to university at age 26 to study music.

The second time was lifechanging for me. I am happier than I ever have been. I'm still lost when it comes to the social aspect and making friends, but at least at my university there are tons of clubs to get involved in. I just did a play with my university over the summer and made some amazing friends, even if we may all go our separate ways now (I hope that doesn't happen).