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My brother has a delayed mental maturity. He might be autistic but the physical features don't have problems and he can reason out well. The only problem is he cannot understand the lessons in school. He is now at 24 years of age and he haven't started a proper college degree. My question is how old is too old for college? He is becoming shy because of his age.
No one is too old to learn something new, whether it's a formal school or not. I've heard of people in their 80s going to college. Personally, I did one semester of college right of high school, then quit to work full time. I then started part time college when I was 26 and got my bachelor's degree when I was 35. My youngest daughter got her bachelor's degree when she was 38. Tell your brother to just take one or two classes at first to see how hard it is and how much he thinks he can handle at a time. Is he working full time? There are also online classes now that were not available for me. At any rate, tell him not to be shy because of his age; there may very well be people in his classes a lot older than him.
When I read your subject I was thinking you were talking some where over 40 and my first thought was like Bird's as your never to old. My daughter is 26 years old and just went back to college part time this year, and I'm planning to go to a technical school in January at age 46.
I would be more concerned about the teachers and their teaching styles so the suggestion of on line classes is something to look into.
Thanks for the support guys. My brother cannot take online classes as his comprehension is not that good. My mother usually makes his own homework when he was in high school because he cannot understand a thing, especially with math. There is one thing that he is good at and that is memorization, but that's without understanding what he just memorize.
You might consider contacting someone in the special education deparment of a teaching college. There may be an expert who could advise you.
The last time I went back to grad school (San Diego State, Instructional Technology) I was over 50 and started the program as the next to oldest student in the program. The "OLD" guy bailed leaving me as the oldest. I got a perfect 4.0 GPA and was invited to do a PhD (declined, I just needed the wall paper for a job change within my lab.)
OK, I didn't have all the challenges in question here but... don't let age be the reason for not having a go at it. By law, the school can not discriminate due to age (and a bunch of other things.) GIVE IT A TRY, what is the big deal if it doesn't work out or is difficult? You never know how positive the outcome could be if you don't try.
Go ahead, (dare I say it?) give it the old coillege try!!!
Pat
I used to work at a University Hospital, and on my last year there, I learned that there was a guy 65 in age on his last year before starting residency. I couldn't believe it. It is never too late to go for it. The important thing is the hunger to learn.
I'm not sure I understand correctly. It seems your brother has some type of learning disability similar to autism and his emotional state hinders him in that he is self conscious because of his age relative to the age of his classmates. Is this the scenario?Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartacus
I would have to ask "what is he going to school for"? What are his goals? It seems to me that if he can and should focus on the goals or prize and that should allow him to endure or deal with the emotional issue. If that is too much rationalization than perhaps school is not the best thing for him, at least not in a conventional sense. Perhaps he should get his education in another school or fashion. Perhaps he should put the skills he has to work, building his self confidence.
It occurs to me that perhaps he is attending school for the wrong reasons, furthermore school is not for everybody and perhaps, just perhaps, this is an example of just that. Is your brother going to school to realize his dreams or someone elses?
This is a rhetorical question with no assertions, not looking for an answer, something to think about.
The answer to your question "How old is to old for school" is apparent. There is no such thing as "to old for school". However, you stated issues regarding his mental maturity and ability to learn. For someone to attend school under these conditions leads me to think that rather than learning, applying what you have learned, thus achieving or accomlishing something positive, your brother may be "too old for school". Having little to do with his age, rather his abilities. This negative experience could be going in the wrong direction.
My 2 aunts went back to school in their 30's to graduate. They ended up finishing school together which was really neat for them. I don't think your ever too old to accomplish something you want to.
Hey Robert, I think you are the only person who understand what I have brought up here. It is not only about the age but also the mental development of my brother and that is why he was late in entering college. If you read back my first post, I have said that he can be compared to an autistic person but all his physical features are normal. My father told me that he only started speaking clear words when he was 3 years old. And you are right that it is no just the age that is the issue here but the emotional part as well as he is behind in his class even though he is older than his classmates.
His only goal is to finish college as he doesn't want to be left behind with us, his brothers. I'm the eldest and I have another brother who followed me and then him, the youngest. Both me and my second brother have finished college already but my youngest brother hasn't finished yet.
Whatever his motivation, if he wants to attend college, and can, he should. Have you thought of Vocational Rehabilitation? (A federal agency) In some states this is available to people of all ages with a disability. (Special Education qualifies you, autism spectrum generally does.) One applies to Voc Rehab. They have you assessed. Then you do or don't qualify. If you do, they work to make you employable. For some it is assistance getting a job, keeping a job. Others it is getting a license, getting tools. For others it is training, and still others - it is college and related expenses. I'd check it out. It could provide your brother with the assistance he need to get going and to be successful. They will do job coaching as well. Most colleges have learning labs available to students, as well as supports for people with disabilities. You just have to inquire. Taking fewer classes can help. 9 credits is an easier pace and generally allows you to keep your financial aid status. Sounds like your brother could use some support here navigating this. Just taking one class at a time helps one to adjust to college. Take the classes that are "fun".
It is never too late to go to college. My mother dropped out as a freshman and returned in her 40's, earning a BA and MA.
Help your brother find the support he needs.
Good luck to you both.