Most of the e-mails I get mention concerns about the age gap between them and their would-be classmates. As with most things, though, I think the age issue has both advantages and disadvantages associated with it.
Sure, it’s kinda strange being an older student. I am about 6 to 7 years older than most of my classmates and when you’re in your twenties that gap is kind of significant. I am still young enough (and, uh, immature enough) to fit in, but there are a lot of times when I feel like there is a gulf between where I am and where everyone else is.
In terms of advantages, I’d say that a big one is that I’m already used to managing my workload. I have had 5 years of university to teach me how to handle my assignments — how to break down larger assignments so that I’m not panicking at the last minute with nothing done, when it’s okay to procrastinate and when it’s not, and what areas I can skimp on if I let my procrastination get the better of me. Having that skill makes things a whole lot easier, let me tell you.
There’s also factors such as having several years of experience dealing with things such as paying bills, which many of my classmates are only now learning how to do. The teachers often talk about how we’re going to become full-fledged members of society soon, but in reality I’ve been there (except for the having a job part) for years now.
Overall, I’d say that my age is more advantageous than not. The 6+ years of experience I have on my classmates helps to make up for the difficulty I have due to my Japanese not being perfect. If nothing else, my experience makes for a great icebreaker; I’ve made more than a few friends by doing things like sharing tips on getting assignments done.
