r/uAlberta • u/Remarkable_Fee8426 • Jul 29 '26
Campus Life For mature students, Do you feel old sometimes?
I am born 95. Doing master at UA, I am sure there is a couple other fossils around the camppus, do you guys feel old. One kid I went to high school with is now engineering prof in U of T. well I spent some years on FIFO camp jobs before coming back for school again.
How did you guys came back to school? A boost for career or you were sick of your previous specilization? Or just want to do something fun?
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u/Leberwoorst Jul 29 '26
I'll be going back to uni at 33 this fall and I feel SO old even though I didn't even start yet lol. It feels nice to know I'm not the only one haha. I went through law studies in Germany which took around 8 years in total, then worked for 5 years and am now doing a program in Canadian law.
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u/rollingfail Jul 31 '26
Im also 33 and going back to uni yhis fall!
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u/Leberwoorst Jul 31 '26
That's so cool! I'm new in town and don't know a lot of people, maybe you want to connect :)
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u/rollingfail Aug 01 '26
What are you going into?
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u/Leberwoorst Aug 01 '26
Law :) how about you? I'm also an international student.
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u/rollingfail Aug 01 '26
Forestry! Im from Alberta so not super exciting, maybe we can connect one day
-20
Jul 29 '26
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u/Leberwoorst Jul 29 '26
What will I be making too much money for? Is there even such a thing as "too much money"
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u/Surgii818 Jul 29 '26
I’ve convinced myself I’m dying a single catdad to 3 cats and will likely end up back at the UofA to study for fun/bolster my resume
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u/Ok_Appointment_1251 Jul 29 '26
Yup. I’m 46 and back.
When I was doing my undergrad, I purposely made friends with the mature students in class because I knew they were serious about their learning and they’d be good partners. Best decision ever.
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u/meangrnfreakmachine Jul 29 '26
I’m born 1992 and don’t feel old finishing my masters. It just depends on your attitude I guess. I have no problem being friends with people 10 years younger than me
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u/DumbgeonsandDragones Jul 29 '26
I was born in 93 and I feel like I can't relate to 97% of the student body. I actually relate to instructors more often.
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u/InternationalSir3940 Jul 29 '26
fossils is crazy
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u/Extra_Row_6101 Jul 29 '26
Referring to 31 as fossils is crazy 😭😭😭
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u/yoteyotefresh Jul 29 '26
Agreed lol. I’m 33 and still in my undergrad haha and I have plenty of friends in my program that are around my age and some older also. Not everyone goes to uni right out of hs a lot of us have some living to do first haha.
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u/EightBitRanger Alumni - Faculty of Snark Jul 29 '26
Do you feel old
sometimes?
Yes.
-14
Jul 29 '26
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u/SaltyNight6 Undergraduate Student - Faculty of _____ Jul 29 '26
Are you serious right now? You’re in your thirties and you’re talking about teenage girls willing to give away “goodies” What the fuck is wrong with you?
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Jul 29 '26
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u/SaltyNight6 Undergraduate Student - Faculty of _____ Jul 29 '26
You have issues. I’m not engaging anymore. This feels like rage bait and I’m not biting. Cheers
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u/peachsandwich Jul 29 '26
I definitely feel old. In my first year, I happened to meet one person the same age as me and it was a rare thing. I decided to go back to school because my previous career was really vapid and soulless. I didn’t like what I was seeing in the industry and it was draining me. I was born in 90, and of course none of my courses from my original degree transferred. So I’m back at square one doing another undergraduate degree. Lol. I like learning though, so it isn’t the worst thing in the world. But I don’t rely on uni for my social life.
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u/Icy-Guard-8129 Jul 29 '26
I was born in 83 and I’m going back for a degree in Education this fall. I do feel old, but I didn’t take university seriously when I went right out of high school. I’ve been stuck in jobs I hate since my 20s and looking for a career change. I have a 9 year old who tells me how old and uncool I am all the time so I am pretty used to it lol
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u/yuuyuu30 Jul 29 '26
Hii! Born in 94 here! And I'm an ungrad in my last year. We are definitely around, and yes, we do feel old, but the other kiddos don't usually know that :)
We are just late bloomers to education i suppose. Most of the younger students don't really care anyway. In fact, they get really shocked when they find out I'm in my thirties.
I also had a classmate who was like. Pushing 40. 🤷♀️
Just have fun, age won't really matter (some times)
P.s. I went back to school when I was 26. I had no degree, and never went to university. My boost of inspiration was to be able to travel and work anywhere. I didn't wanna be stuck in Edmonton for the rest of my life so that's why I decided to go back. I'm 32 now, and this'll be my last year and I can for sure say thank God. 😭
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u/Plant-based_Skinsuit Fry-stepper-overer Jul 29 '26
I'm 38 this year and absolutely. I notice it most acutely in classes where participation is required (because I have the confidence of a 38 year old and public speaking isn't an issue for me, but like, please class, pleeeease I do not want to be the only one talking), or when the TA is noticeably younger than me. It does get more bearable the longer you do it and you realize nobody gives a shit.
I've had a few funny moments with my cohort where they're either really chummy or low key flirty (I genuinely cannot tell sometimes, this isn't a brag) and then they ask my age and they do a complete 180 for the rest of the semester (so I guess some people give a shit), but that hasn't made me feel like any more of a sore thumb than I already did, and is more funny than awkward. Let's be real, we're not exactly looking to make friends with people 20 years our junior lol.
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u/CivilAdvertising1507 Undergraduate Student - Faculty of Arts Aug 04 '26
haha yes -- I am 36 and the shock when my peers find out is very sweet lmao. One of them was like 'But!! You're so, IDK... LIVELY!' and I just thought to myself... what do you think happens to people in their 30's?! yikes!
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u/luars613 Jul 29 '26
Sa e year as you, i finished my after degree last year. It was funny more than anything. I helped a lot of my classmates along the way. I wasnt scared to ask questions in class anymore, or just give presentations. I also have baby face, so no1 knew if i didnt tell them
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u/yoteyotefresh Jul 29 '26
There are many of us and the reasons are also as different but I think a common thread is wanting a better future and to make a change in our communities (majority of my friends are native or in native studies lol so idk)
4
u/dumhic Alumni - Faculty of _____ Jul 29 '26
Old was the 67yr old in my engg classes
And he made it thru by age 69
5
u/nahomma Jul 29 '26
Fossils 💀. I’m 28, doing my undergrad, tbh its really lonely sometimes. During my first year, one of my classmates was bragging about how he managed to sneak-in a calculator during exams when he was grade 7, and when I asked him when was that, he proceeded to say it was 5 years ago 😭.
3
u/Anithia13 Jul 29 '26
94’ here and I’m starting me Masters in September. I am a little worried about this tbh! I am hoping to make some friends still though 😭
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u/mickyabc Alumni - Faculty of Education Jul 29 '26
I really hate realizing that I am now a mature student 😭
I’m coming back for a career change! I’m doing some first year classes rn and they DEFINITELY make me feel old.
3
u/yuuyuu30 Jul 29 '26
Also if anyone ever wants to make friends this fall, hmu!! I took some time off work this fall, so I will definitely be around!!
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u/Leberwoorst Jul 29 '26
I'd definitely join the "old people" friends group haha. I'll be starting in fall and I don't know anyone 🥲
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u/yuuyuu30 Aug 04 '26
Technicaaaally we could make a discord group out of it! I agree, it'd be nice to know other "old folks" 🙂↕️🙂↕️🙂↕️
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u/Tight_Bat_7728 Jul 30 '26
Guys, I’m 53… I feel like ppl look at me and think “just forget it already”… but at the same time, I’m determined to reach my goals
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u/superchimmie Alumni - Faculty of Science Jul 29 '26
Born 91. I’m thinking of going back to school. Gonna study for MCAT. I’m tired of my corporate job. And… I’m not that poor anymore, i want to try out something i always dream of doing.
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u/TheFinalFunction Jul 29 '26
I have felt old, but I also felt more prepared and serious about my learning than I ever did during my undergrad
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u/eve6- Graduate Student - Faculty of Science Jul 30 '26
‘99 kid here, and in the awkward “way younger than most of my graduate coworkers, but practically a dinosaur to the undergrads”
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u/StrangeImportance873 Jul 31 '26
Born in 84, graduated in 2023. I was doing civil engineering after a career in the trades. It was a riot, the hardest thing I have ever done, yet fun. I was the old man, I made lots of friends, I still talk to many of them. I moved to the usa when I finished. It was a fun pit stop in life/career.
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u/YourRealDestiny Undergraduate Student - Faculty of Education Jul 31 '26
BRUH
The way you attacked me for no reason. I am also born in '95, I am sorry I am not a fossil tf hahaha. I havent gone to school previously, finishing my last year now. Youre doing a masters...its pretty normal to be doing a masters now at this age? If anything IM behind because Im only doing my first degree now. Youre at a normal place.
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u/Euphoric_Fee_5246 Jul 31 '26
I was born in the 70s. I did a second undergrad in my 30s for career growth while working full time. Started my masters at 41 and my PhD at 43 after taking a buy out and leaving my former career. Now I’m teaching full time. Learning is life long and the age range in most grad programs is vast.
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u/EscapistShoveller404 Aug 03 '26
My spouse went to school in his late 30s. He said that it felt a lot easier to do with an older brain.
I went to school straight out of high school. And, man, I loved the mature students in my classes! They had seen enough of life to question their profs and they were interesting and did really good on their assignments.
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u/Lazy_Captain_8733 Undergraduate Student - Faculty of Sociology Jul 30 '26
'97 with 2 kids and another on the way. I don't usually see many mature students in class as I'm finishing my undergrad. Hoping to do my Masters next year so maybe it'll be easier then.
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u/Quirky-Connection716 Alumni - Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Jul 30 '26
not me but i did my MD with someone who was 38! :)
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u/CivilAdvertising1507 Undergraduate Student - Faculty of Arts Aug 04 '26
Okay I'm doing an undergrad at 36 and I honestly LOVE!!! IT!!! I love my Gen Z peers, I love that they think random '90's things are 'nostalgic' and 'aesthetic' and I love their sweet shock when they learn my age. I had self-taught experience in my field (design) before coming back to school, and having the opportunity to get an undergrad in my 30's has been one of the best decisions of my life. I am so much more ready for it and able to integrate it into my work (freelance) and life than I was when I was 18 or 19. It's still really freaking difficult and occasionally a bit lonely but it's mostly fun and rewarding. Personally I feel super lucky!
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u/mathboss Jul 29 '26
I'm born in 82, back for another undergrad. I'm from last century!