AIBU to be more than mildly nervous?

[SisyphusHadItEasy]

I return to post-secondary education tomorrow morning. I am shaking in my boots - not enough to try and avoid it, but I am not sleeping and over-organising everything.

I attended the Orientation on Friday and it was eye-opening. I so intensely do not look like I belong in this class. I am 45, and the oldest person in the programme. I am also the only woman.

What was I thinking? I can definitely see myself in the field, but the next 3 years are going to be one hell of a trial.

Please give me some tips on calming myself, right now I am a ball of nerves.

You'll be fine.

Age doesn't matter at all! Plenty of people start degree courses and things when they retire - you're 20 years younger.

Think about WHY you're doing this. And don't judge the rest of your class too soon. You might find you get on well with them, however different you are.

Good on you and good luck

You must have had to put in so much effort and time to even get to the point where you’re starting your course. That takes some nerve. Hold onto it.
You’ve been given a place on the course so the powers that be believe you are capable of the course and that you deserve your place on it.

Thanks for the votes of confidence. I am studying Civil Engineering, so it did take some work to get to this point - but it was and will continue to be worth it.