Older Than Average Students
In general, the older student enters professional school with more work experience, maturity, and a more developed support mechanism. Older students are here because they have decided to make a major change after having spent considerable time in other fields of work, making them very goal oriented.
There are some disadvantages that these "maturing" experiences have generated. Age in and of itself is NOT a major issue, but other aspects of personal life (spouse, children, reduction in income, reduction in free time...) may be. A possibly overwhelming, constantly flowing volume of information and activity will replace the "routine" of your previous job.
The following paradigms and suggestions may be useful to you:
Being older than the "traditional" student (straight out of college), you may feel out of place. This stereotyped definition of the "traditional" student, even if it were ever accurate, will have to be changed. To give you a frame of reference, the age range of the classes in the past have been from 17 to 43 with the median age at 27. A sample of previous professions includes engineers, elementary school teachers, journalists, architects, pharmacists, physical therapists, military intelligence, pilots, drug company representatives, etc... So remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Older students who have typically been in the work force for several years - usually in a slower-paced environment - may be affected by the DRAMATIC change of pace when you enter professional school. The best way to handle this is to stay on top of the material, manage time efficiently, and schedule study time accurately. To their advantage, older students are typically more focused.
You may have developed a philosophy that emphasizes concepts and generalizations of the details presented. This will be useful in understanding a lot of material you will be taught. But it must be noted that during the first year or two of professional school, a lot of emphasis is placed on learning the details of this "new language" you are learning. MEMORIZATION techniques (whichever ones work for you
will be the key to survival.
Finally, seek advice from the Counseling Service, your Peer Advisor, and your professional school Big Sibling. These folks WANT TO and WILL help with the adjustment to school life. They have seen many students with similar profiles and needs. It is important to be patient, absorb what advice you can, and make your own decisions. The main thing to remember is that once you are in professional school, people will do their utmost to help you through the experience.
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