Categories: Out Among Humans

Being older than other students

Just Your Average 68-Year-Old College Freshman.


It’s impossible to borrow lecture notes from someone who calls you “Sir.”

As a sir, you’ll have trouble rounding up partners for group projects. Sirs don’t sit on hallway floors with the other students, no matter how willing their knees might be. Sirs should avoid making jokes (the kids won’t laugh, or worse, they’ll laugh too hard).

They’ve had a lot of experience with sirs and ma’ams. They know about our penchant for offering advice and insights— especially when not solicited. They give us a wide berth.

But if you can be patient—and if you let it be known you got the lowest score on a recent lab quiz—they’ll reward you with a bit of cred. Eventually a kid named Ian will call you by your first name and you can risk humor again. In small doses.

Pat Shiplett

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Pat Shiplett

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