Why Professors Love Middle Age College Students

If you ask most college professors about middle age college students, they can tell you a lot of reasons why they love having them in their class!

Yes, this may be considered a young people's world but middle age people really do have an advantage in some areas. I went to college full-time for seven years when I was in my forties. I spoke with many professors about how they felt about the older student, and overwhelmingly they loved the older student. Let's look at why those professors love having those older students in their class, so very much!

They Show Up For Class-

Yes, unfortunately too many of the younger students were out partying the night before and didn't make it to class. Of course some of them did, they were just the ones with the dark glasses, that looked like they were sleeping, or dead. Yes, I heard more than one professor say, if they could only show up for class that would be half the battle. Well, the professors were overjoyed with the older students. They not only showed up for class, they rarely missed any. Yes, believe it or not those professors do want students to lecture to.

More Interactive-

Yes, I remember the day of my last Sociology class, I was the only one over twenty, and the last one out the door. The professor came over to me, and told me that if it wasn't for you I would have really hated this class. He thanked me for making the class enjoyable. What a surprise, I actually thought he hated me. I always challenged him, and we quite often got into heated discussions. Meanwhile the rest of the class just sat there. Yes, professors really enjoy a great debate with a student, it keeps them from getting bored.

More Dedicated-

Yes, the older student really does take their classes very seriously. When they right a paper, it's something to behold. They go all out. Unlike some of the younger students who seem to just want to skate by and pass the class. I remember some of the oral presentations we had. If you looked over at the professor when an older student was presenting, they had a smile on their face, and was engulfed with total interest. Unfortunately, when some of the younger ones presented, a look of despair, and a twisted look of confusion would be on their face. Yes, professors love the older student for their undying dedication, and true interest in what they are learning.

Perseverance-

Some classes can be difficult for an older student, as sometimes it's been years since their last class in certain subjects. Boy, did I have to dust off the cobwebs when it came to college algebra. Now, the younger student although they could excel above the older student in this area, as they just had a math class the year before, I found it interesting that a lot of them would drop the class at the first sign of frustration. Perhaps that's because older students have had to figure many things out over a lifetime. If you can be married for twenty years, you can do anything. Yes, those professors love the older student's perseverance.

More Well Rounded-

Professors love that a middle aged person is so well rounded. They really can bring a lot of life experience to the subject that's being taught. Therefor making things more interesting. The older student has more to draw upon when writing papers, doing oral presentations, and adding different twists to the subject at hand. Yes, having lived a long life, and learned many things, can and does add to the enjoyment of the class. In other words it's not so boring.

There you have it, some of the reasons professors really do love that older student. Maybe the answer is everyone should wait at least until their forty to start college? I am confident. that would make most professors very, very happy!

FYI: Yes, there are dedicated, intelligent and well rounded younger students somewhere. Unfortunately, in my seven years of college, they were far and few between!

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