I went back for a second master’s in 2021, the thing to note is how much education and the students and faculty have changed since you were last in uni.

8 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 1,2026 at 2:11PM UTC

   Hi there! Sorry that was your experience. I see a lot less rigor in my kiddo’s elementary education and assume it’s all sliding downhill. For instance, spelling is no longer taught in class…but she has to put together reports where she can search on an iPad using dictation and also uses dictation to build presentations. It’s everywhere.

   I am 46 and completed my masters at 40. Most of my cohort was around the same age, so I didn’t experience this; however, in undergrad the older students tended to come to class trying to prove something. They would use Q&A as an opportunity to stump the professor or tie up the class lecture with additions they didn’t feel the professor cover based on their life experiences. There was some value there -another perspective offered-but also often unsolicited. Not saying you did any of this…but it was a noticeable behavior that set them apart.

2. Jody LaflenMarch 2,2026 at 7:49PM UTC

   That was the thing - there were a few older students (not generalizing, but they were men) who did that obnoxious stuff with profs, but I didn’t. I used to hate it when my students did that to me. It almost seemed like the profs ascribed their feelings towards all older students because of those guys, though. The few other women my age felt the same way I did, and none of them behaved that way either. I think a lot of it was being in a tech city - ageism is worse there. Everyone is used to seeing older, experienced people laid off in favor of young, inexperienced ones. This thinking rubs off.

3. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanMarch 2,2026 at 7:35AM UTC

   I earned my second Masters in 2023. started in 2022. I even lived in the dorms. I did not find this to be true, although it might be due to the fact that I was in London, UK instead of the US. My classmates and professors treated me with respect, and the quality of the work was incredibly high, higher, in fact, than my BA or my MA. I am also currently in an online Doctorate program and find that there is a bell curve depending on the class and the instructor, but I found that to be true when attending in person classes as well.

   I am sorry that you had this experience. Maybe it was due in part because we were coming out of the Pandemic?

4. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanMarch 2,2026 at 7:39AM UTC

   To add, I was the oldest in my cohort at 50+, with the youngest being 21, having just completed undergrad. Most of the rest were between 25 - 35.

   In the dorms, I lived with 5 who were undergrads, and 4 other grad students, most of whom were in their late 20's. 4 of the 5 undergrads really needed to be taught how to live with other people.

5. maria roseMarch 3,2026 at 3:04AM UTC

   What you described about your classmates in college, eventually is spilling over into many areas. Modern day young educators/teachers have it set up that each minute of their classified 180 days of work is broken down into minute chunks of time , which also include designated time for preparing remote learning classes. All fine and well, until the parents and the students are limited to ask for help, as in technology connections issues for remote learning or questions about any vague instruction given about assignments. There’s no personal connection conversation— because there’s too much reliance on technology and AI to substitute the interaction.

   To the OP, ignore the way the younger generation reacts at present to anyone older than them, and remember someday they will be your age and get to experience the same reaction from the younger generation. Just because you are older, doesn’t make you obsolete and the fact that you are still stimulating your mind growth expansion

6. Dr. Patty GrossMarch 3,2026 at 7:42PM UTC

   Fortunately for me, I have had the opposite experience. I got my first Master's at age 50, and my second at 60. I graduated with a professional doctorate at age 67 (just days before I turned 68, and am now pursuing my PhD at 71. Most of my graduate classes (except the first) were with classmates and professors younger than me, but I have not received the push-back you have. All I can say is keep your head down and go for it. You are NEVER too old to learn new things, and don't let anyone tell you anything different.

7. Mara Jevera FulmerMarch 4,2026 at 3:43PM UTC

   I think it depends on the program and university. For my first masters, I was in my 30s and on the slightly older side. For my second, an MFA, I was in my 40s and connected more with the far older faculty than the younger ones or younger students who were mostly fresh out of their BFAs.

   For my professional doctorate, I was in my early 50's. And I was definitely on the older side. But all of that prior life and work experience worked in my favor, along with writing skills honed over a lifetime. It was a cohorted group and many have gone on to accomplish great things as educational leaders. But the program weeded out the ones who didn't apply themselves, copied and pasted from the internet, etc.

   My advice - lean in and apply the course content to your longer professional and lived experience. The knowledge you bring is invaluable to interpreting and connecting it to all the new material you'll learn!

8. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdMarch 12,2026 at 1:29PM UTC

   I'm sorry you've had a bad experience. I've done all of my education online. I attended Capella University for my first masters - it's a school driven towards professionals looking to improve their careers. In this regard there are a lot of older students.

   I'm now doing my second masters and attending AZ State University online. Many of my classmates are younger (I'm 58), but I don't feel any hate at all.

   Then again, I've always been told I'm child-like so perhaps I don't seem so "old" to them?