Age, families make juggling school different game

By Caitlin Jones

Published Sept. 25, 2009

Most college students go home to their apartments, residence halls and roommates after a long day of class. Javier Aguilera, an agriculture major and father of two, goes home to his children.

According to the MU registrar's Web site, 2008's undergraduate enrollment for the university listed 526 students age 25-29, 137 students age 30-34 and 223 students age 35 and up. Undergraduate students age 25 and up make up three percent of the undergraduate student body.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs said MU provides resources, such as the Student Parent Center, for these students.

"Non-typical aged students may need child care or may be working part time, so their classes may be later or earlier," Scroggs said. "They usually have a lot of responsibilities."

Aguilera, a graduate student, said he lives a very different life than most college students.

"It is different when you are 40 and have a family with two boys, 5 and 7," Aguilera said. "I have different responsibilities. I have to organize my time with having class, teaching and my family. My boys expect to play with me and I have to make time for them too."

Aguilera said he's unsure as to whether he prefers going to school at his age or when he was younger.

"It's back and forth. It's hard when you have a family to think about, but pleasant because my family is supporting me," Aguilera said. "The main difference is that your brain is not as young so you have to re-read things or go over them again and again. Also we don't have as much energy as younger students."

Aguilera, who also serves as a teaching assistant for the Romantic Languages Department, said he enjoys teaching and enjoys school, but it has its difficulties.

"It is a lot of stress," Aguilera said.

Eric Bowers, a 27-year-old undergraduate with a wife and daughter, said college at his stage in life is different in many aspects.

"Because I am a lot older and have my wife and daughter, it especially takes away a lot of my time to study and do other things," Bowers said. "My time is split up more than an average student."

Bowers said his wife recently finished her master's degree and is now supporting their family.

"A positive thing is being more responsible not partying so much," Bowers said. "Also, I have been in the working world and know what it is like to have perspective about doing what I want to do and not working in retail for another 10 years."

He said college life at his age also presents its share of disadvantages.

"The only negative thing is that I have a lot more financial obligations," Bower said. "There's financial concern with family, school and part time job. The biggest hurtle is the finances."