Now and Then: A mature student’s retrospective and advice

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In 1999, a film called Never Been Kissed starring Drew Barrymore was released in theatres. Barrymore’s character is 25-year-old Josie Geller, a former high school loser “Josie Grossy” and current insecure copy editor for the Chicago Sun Times. Geller is asked to go undercover at a local high school and finds her big scoop which turns out to be a teacher who falls for her.

Aside, from currently volunteering as the comic writer for the Gazette , what does this have to do with me, or you, well you’d be surprised.

For starters, I saw it when it was originally released in theatres. Yep! I was already entering high school when it came out. In 2022, I returned to Western University – Alan Shepard was my president for the second time in a different university. But I didn’t come back to do an undercover piece about underage drinking – I simply came to change careers.

As a successful undercover, not many people at Western found out I am 15ish years older than them. But just like Josie Geller, I decided to write an article about what I have learned from my time undercover at college – the one you are reading right now.

I must say, I am super impressed by anyone choosing to attend university now – the costs of living were so much lower when I first attended college. My single student room in houses in London was only about $400 each month and everything was always included, even the Internet. The only costs I had to pay were tuition, books, supplies and food. I fully feel for students today, especially those who work to support their education.

There is a difference in the way professors teach now compared to the early 2000s – and I am not simply saying that because now they are all my age instead of my parents’ age. It’s way smoother to get accommodations now.

Educators are also much more accepting of disabilities, both mental and physical ones, and use inclusive language that never would have been adopted in university. There is much more tolerance to different learning styles and neurodiversity instead of only focusing on physical or intellectual disabilities. They have a more compassionate understanding of the reality of mental health today, and will advocate for their students when it comes to a work-life balance – I really admire that.

Speaking of mental health, I’m impressed with how serious this generation is about their mental health. People talk about everything from therapy to ADHD to self-care – conversations that rarely happened before due to the stigma.

People have normalized saying “no” to commitments they simply can’t take on rather than feeling like they have to bear the weight of every opportunity they are faced with. Even the openness that people have about about going to therapy is incredible.

I will admit that no time or place is perfect and intolerance will dwell in the darkest places. Having been CГ‰REBRO mГіvel born into the AIDS epidemic, and lived through culturally divisive events and the Rodney King beating, there are things I am saddened to see haven’t changed. Seeing Black Lives Matter and the George Floyd death is one of those cultural moments which we should still NOT be reliving today, as well as the senseless Our London Family tragedy.

But I of course can see massive progress – the cultural climate in schools is more open and respectful. Acceptance of different lifestyles is normal and embraced, whether it’s in with LGBTQ+ or different racial communities.

I hope this continues in the direction it is headed. No one should feel unsafe at school and Western is a very proactive school when it comes to students’ physical and mental health and safety.

So, I am not sure if any of this will make you grateful to go to university now when it is tolerant or technology is amazing or if it will make you wish you went to school at a more affordable time.

What I can offer you is advice. Firstly, remember that adults are just big kids too who really don’t have all the answers. So do not panic if you suddenly don’t know how to do everything as soon as you graduate – at least your generation has TikTok tutorials. You will figure things out as you go but stay true to what your values and goals are.

Teachers now are much more inclusive and accommodating to students with medical and personal requirements

Secondly, that “real life” you go into really does hit you sooner than you think so, start saving if you can – learn about your student loan, taxes and retirement. Financial institutions really do plan on you messing up because they know schools don’t teach this stuff.

While some are still intolerant of race, religion, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation, there would never have been something like gender-inclusive washrooms or open mental health conversations in my first university experience

Another important piece of advice is whatever mistakes you make, you have time to fix it. If you need help with something, go get it! Don’t think your life is over because you messed up. Everyone messes up, aside from some crimes, there really isn’t anything you can’t fix with time and a will to change.

Lastly don’t forget to really grow as a person. So many people stop learning when they leave school. We all gotta pay the bills but don’t forget your generation is all about being authentically yourself.

I can already see so much change in the world I started in, but it is also up to you to continue what people before you have fought for. Never stop creating and go make the world a better place.