The mature student dilemma

By JENNIFER THUNCHER


Being an older student at Langara can be both overwhelming and inspiring.


According to a breakdown of Langara students in the fall of 2011, of the 9,641 students enrolled, two per cent were over 45.


Bo Liu, 50, began taking psychology courses at Langara in September. She plans to spend two years here, ultimately obtaining a psychology degree. Liu is a retired mother of six. Two of her children also attend Langara.


In addition to the expected challenges of keeping up with course work after years away from school, Liu has also faced loneliness and isolation.


She said she hasn’t made a single friend at school.


“If I don’t start a conversation, there would be no conversation,” said Liu. She says her classmates don’t include her most of the time. She wishes they would “just treat me as one of them.”


Liu feels the other students incorrectly pass judgment on what she is like strictly based on her age. “They are all very cool,” continued Liu, “[but] I am cool too myself,.” Said Liu.


A few weeks ago there was a positive development when a classmate in Liu’s fundamentals of psychology class approached her to discuss how hard the course is. This was a nice change, Liu said, because it was a common issue between two students, bridging the generations. Unfortunately, the young woman hasn’t been back to class since that exchange.


Overall, Liu is very glad she is in college at this stage in her life. She has already overcome many things, having battled depression and coming to Canada from China as an adult.


“I’m learning new things and that is the point,” she said.


Her children, who range in age from 20 to 26, encourage her to carry on. She said her husband has been particularly supportive which has made the process of going back to school much easier for her.


To help alleviate the social isolation at school, Liu said a club for older students would be a great idea.


“We want to be social,” she said. “We don’t want to be excluded.”


thuncher@shaw.ca