I Am A Senior Freshman

I am a freshman at the College of Charleston.  While that is interesting, it certainly isn’t newsworthy- Or is it?  I am almost 62 years old and I am going to college free.    I am one of about 100 senior citizens taking classes this semester at College of Charleston.  Some are auditing classes while others like me are taking classes for credit with the hope of obtaining a degree.  Here is the official information:

SECTION 59-111-320 of the South Carolina Code of Laws states that persons age sixty and over may attend classes without payment of tuition.

"State-supported colleges and universities, and institutions under the jurisdiction of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, are authorized to permit legal residents of South Carolina who have attained the age of sixty to attend classes for credit or noncredit purposes on a space available basis without the required payment of tuition, if these persons meet admission and other standards deemed appropriate by the college, university, or institution, and if these persons do not receive compensation as full-time employees."

This includes many schools throughout South Carolina, but in our area, the schools included in this list are College of Charleston, The Citadel, and Trident Technical College.   There is a small registration fee each semester.  At College of Charleston, it is $25.00.  You also have to pay for books; however, that expense can be minimized by renting books or buying used from a variety of sources including the college bookstores. You can't work full time but you can work parttime or receive other types of income.

I was terrified at the idea of returning to school.  I hadn’t studied or written papers in many years.  Oh, and the thought of all those young students was worrisome.  What would they think about sharing a classroom with an old woman?   Would I be able to find my way around the campus?  Could I even begin to figure out the system?  What would happen if I couldn’t keep up?

There are only two challenges with enrolling as a senior citizen or nontraditional student as they call us.  You can’t register for class until the first day of classes after everyone else has registered.  Many classes fill quickly so some of the options are limited.  You can get the classes you want, however you may be taking an 8:00am class or two.    The other challenge with College of Charleston is parking, but with your college ID, you ride CARTA buses free.   I love asking cashiers which discount is better-a senior citizen discount or a student discount. 

I am now approaching the end of my first semester.   I am excited to report that I have an A in two classes and a B+ (only one point shy of an A) in the third.   It took a little time but many of my classmates have accepted me.   Two of them even came to me and asked for advice in one of the classes.  They shout across the street or building and say hello.  The staff at College of Charleston has been very helpful.  The college has wonderful learning labs for Math and English/Writing.  The professors are supportive.  They don’t treat me any differently than the other students and they expect me to do the same work if I want credit.

I went to college when I was 17 years old and by the end of my first semester, I got married.  I promised myself that I would go back.   Financial issues, children, and life kept getting in the way.  I have dreamed about going to college and someday walking across the stage to receive a diploma.  I had given up on that dream, but now it is alive again.  I enjoy the beautiful campus in downtown Charleston.  Even though the classes are a challenge and require a lot of work, I love every minute of this experience. If you have thought about going back to school or just taking some classes for enjoyment, this is a tremendous opportunity.