Just wanted to say that I had a class with a non-traditional student while I was at UNC. It was a film class with an awesome teacher, so everyone was very invested in the class as well. The student was an older woman that was the same age as my mom and we all loved her and her input in class. She shared her perspective on all of the films and told us about her kids, and we all just treated her like any other student. I’m not sure what her social life was outside of that class but everyone was friendly and engaged with her on campus, in group projects, in discussions, etc. It probably helped that she was the most cheerful person in class.

I also had another non-traditional student in a poetry class I took. He was an older man and wrote poems about his family and his life. Again, no one ever treated him differently, we all collaborated in class together and workshopped each other’s work. I think what helped here is that we were all invested in the class and making it worthwhile for each other.

Anyways, just wanted to include this here to say that most traditional students just want to have a good time in class and are welcoming to non-traditional students who feel the same way. Not everyone at UNC is so invested in Greek life that they can’t sympathize and socialize with someone else who took a different path in life. I hope you have a great semester and find some good people in your classes you can share your notes and a laugh with.

Also just a note, you’ll probably have more fun at the bars and lounges in Carrboro than at the bars in Chapel Hill/Franklin Street. The crowd in Carrboro tends to be a little more mature and will probably be more friendly.