older newbie here

[epiphysis]

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Hi:
I'm conflicted. I wasn't 45 until I decided I wanted to be an OT so I went and got my Associate degree and am now in my first year of the professional phase of my program.
It feels weird to be 52, especially since my former career (alternative rock musician) kept me around youth culture for so many years. I have basically started my life over from scratch and have sacrificed everything so I can be an occupational therapist. So now I'm wondering.... how can I fit in and reach out to people who are half my age? I'm also new to the city where I am going to school and it's much bigger than where I am from (seattle).
Any suggestions on how I can make some new friends with out coming off as the "old weird guy"?

 

[MDX]

I suggest you may start to hang with your colleagues that are the closest to your age.
Say 35-40 years old; these folks have a life experience too although they are younger.
Then you will probably have some teamwork to do with the young ones too, so there will be opportunities for bonding. The young ones will surely benefit a lot from what you have to offer in terms of experience.

My two cents.

 

[MakesSense]

I suggest you may start to hang with your colleagues that are the closest to your age.
Say 35-40 years old; these folks have a life experience too although they are younger.
Then you will probably have some teamwork to do with the young ones too, so there will be opportunities for bonding. The young ones will surely benefit a lot from what you have to offer in terms of experience.

My two cents.

I just got thru finishing my first year of medical school at 53 in a class whose average age is 24.5. Some personal observations:

1) My classmates were very accepting of me and I ended up working well with them.
2) You will share enough experiences with your classmates to form friendships.
3) Outside of school functions/activities, you probably will not be on their list of people to hang out with. For me, this was not much of an issue because I still consider many of my classmates friends and not just acquaintances.