MissMe said:

Oh, so was I. Couldn't you tell?

While I prefer the latter, the only drawback are the 'mature" students' need to speak up whenever possible about their own life experiences, and challenge the teacher in ways I deem a bit inappropriate. In an extreme case, I've got most of my classmates in a humanities class trying to get our professor fired because of her 'biased' teaching. Because her teaching styles are a bit different and because she's not holding their hand the entire way, they want to see her canned. I'm doing everything I can to save her reputation with the board of our weekend program--she's incredible. Their fear of a more 'independent' learning style has seriously cramped their ability to see what she's doing for us: preparing us for grad school.

The worst part is that they're using her ethnicity and her personal studies/contributions (in addition to the textbook, as it doesn't cover minorities' roles in postmodern art history) as a reason to see her fired.

Oh man, I know this situation all too well. I took a class in Adult Education at UBC, where a poor teacher is supposed to teach teachers, with actual teaching experience of their own, how to teach. The mutiny atmosphere was hanging in the air already after the first class. lol

People suck.

retina said:

They really do. Especially older students. I don't know what's worse (generalizing, here): thirty kids fresh out of high school who don't want to shut the hell up when the professor is talking, or thirty 40-year-olds who think the rest of the class wants to hear their personal anecdotes/opinions. I know I'm a bitch.

INSATIABLE said:

not at ALL! you described my frustrations with that same situation a lot better. it varies from just not realizing that they're coming off as annoying to flat-out not caring because they think they're better. personally i'd take the younger class, as long as the professor has enough authority to tell them to shut the hell up.

INSATIABLE said:

not at ALL! you described my frustrations with that same situation a lot better. it varies from just not realizing that they're coming off as annoying to flat-out not caring because they think they're better. personally i'd take the younger class, as long as the professor has enough authority to tell them to shut the hell up.

evenstar said:

One thing I love about the younger crowds is their ability to take what the professor says without any lip or massive deconstruction/directions. My middle-aged classmates take everything more seriously, which is fantastic and inspiring, but boy do they love to chip in their two cents. When NO ONE GIVES A SHIT.

evenstar said:

One thing I love about the younger crowds is their ability to take what the professor says without any lip or massive deconstruction/directions. My middle-aged classmates take everything more seriously, which is fantastic and inspiring, but boy do they love to chip in their two cents. When NO ONE GIVES A SHIT.

INSATIABLE said:

yeah. once in awhile is cool, but i'm not paying to hear them talk every damn day.

sorry missme! you're obviously not like this, so you can roll your eyes at the loud older students with the rest of us.

INSATIABLE said:

I would have expected the mature students get on better with the professor/lecturers.

MissMe said:

Older students, in my experience, don't like feeling inferior. They challenge their professors on inappropriate levels, which highly effects the speed of the curriculum. I'd believe if if I've been unlucky, but these oldsters constantly challenge historical facts and figures and interject with their personal opinion when it's not welcome. Classroom participation is fun and fascinating, but just because a person's seasoned does not mean they've grasped social skills in the slightest.

INSATIABLE said:

I am laid back anyway, so I don't see it as a problem. I love to learn from both the young people and elderly. As they say, variety is the spice of life, and I am not kidding.

MissMe said:

Fuck you for not waiting until I edited.

MissMe said:

Fuck you for not waiting until I edited.

INSATIABLE said:

Sorry. Ok I saw your edit but if I am starting a course completely new to me, why would I question it all and be an asshole? I am, and I hope I am not like that anyway but I can see where you are coming from.

MissMe said:

Wait, what? No, embrace it fully and have a blast. I don't let my classmates affect my experience like it sounds, trust me. I know evenstar doesn't either 'cause she's better than that. Just expect all of your professors to be vastly different, and don't procrastinate. I was just being hard on myself for using 'effect' instead of 'affect'. I'll lie and say I'm tired so I slipped.

I have totally lost the plot now. Are you a teacher or professor?

MissMe said:

Are you drinking?

INSATIABLE said:

When you said classmates I misunderstood. Sorry I was thinking of your CLASS.

Yeah, I am kind of on another planet. I read things and don't take them in fully.

Older students, in my experience, don't like feeling inferior, and being "taught" doesn't come as naturally. They challenge their professors on inappropriate levels, which highly affects the speed of the curriculum. I'd believe it if I've been unlucky, but these oldsters constantly challenge historical facts and figures and interject with their personal opinion when it's not welcome.

MissMe said:

Don't trip, I do the same thing. My reading comprehension is seriously hit-and-miss, no matter how much I care about a subject. There are holes in my brain.

INSATIABLE said:

It's even worse when young students do that same thing though. At least the older students have something to back up their claims with other than hot air.

INSATIABLE said:

Thanks. I can see I will do really well concentrating at college.


[Edited 10/12/07 16:11pm]

MissMe said:

You know what? If you're anything like me, it will feel really impossible at first. Don't believe for a minute that it's "not meant to be", though. It WILL get easier. I hope you stay excited about this!

It's trite, but it's true: just DON'T let yourself get behind. It'll make the decision to drop out all the more easier. Get the numbers/emails of a few classmates in each course.

I feel a change of career, and fancy going back to study.
Has anyone done this as a mature student? Any advice, please?