Is it a problem to be a little bit older at uni?

[Anonymous]

I‘m from germany going to do a year abroad at a university in the US. I‘ll be 25 soon and I‘m scared that people will think I‘m weird or don‘t want to be friends with me because I‘m a bit older. Do you think it will be an issue? thank you. 🤍

oh and I‘m attending uni this ‚late‘ because I couldn‘t afford it before and it has always been my dream to do a year abroad. I‘m just scared I won‘t make any friends.

[NamerOfStars]

It might be a little awkward, but not every college student in the US is straight out of high school; ones who are a few years older aren't uncommon. Just HOW common is going to vary, of course.

I'll give you one warning, though: if they find out that you're over 21, you WILL get asked to buy them booze, and it's not impossible that some people will "befriend" you only to get a source of it. Don't let yourself get taken advantage of.

[Asker]

thanks :) why do you think it will be a bit awkward? people usually think i‘m 17-20 so I guess i look younger, do you think that will be good or make it weird? 😄

[RebelinSteel]

Nope, university is for pretty much any age. We had a number of over 40’s doing same course. Yes you get people from school going to university, however you also get those who have worked their where to a position to get to university.

[Anonymous]

People go to university at all ages, it’s not like all your classmates will be fresh outta high school lol. Downside is no matter what age, there’s no guarantee you’ll make friends. Of course that’s ideal if friendship is what you seek but there’s always the chance of not really connecting with others on that level.

[Asker]

thank you so much! for some reason I thought pretty much all students in the US go to uni after school and not really when they‘re older

[handsomelad70]

Depends on whether you're an extrovert or introvert.