Welcome to the New 50+Fabulous Community!

Let’s share information about returning or completing a degree after 50. As we all go forward reinventing our lives at 50 and beyond, many times we need to obtain additional credentials. Have you done that? What was your experience being in school with 20+ers? Or, what about studying under teachers/professors that are significantly younger? How did you feel when you met your goal? What was especially challenging, fun, unexpected? We can all benefit by your stories…please share them here.

I’m about to start a master of science program in strategic leadership. It’s been 30 years since I attended college - I’m thrilled to be going back to school - it’s been a dream of mine for a long time. The program is accelerated, meaning you can complete the program in 18 months. Has anybody else returned to school after several decades? What have been your challenges? What has surprised you about yourself? Do you find that there is a difference in the values of your younger classmates? If so, how do you react to them? If you’re out there, let’s share experiences.

Well I always wanted a college education, but I kept putting it off because I thought I was getting too old, and I was as long as I believed it. So this January I started with the basics. I have been taking classes off and on for one thing or another for years, so some of the credits transferred. In about a year I can finish my A.D. But I want more, I am not sure what I want to major in but I have a couple of things in mind. I will tell you the math is really hard for me, but I’m making B’s in the class. I guess getting my education is like eating an elephant, you do it one bite at a time!

I am 53 years “young” and am currently in school at our local university attaining my BSN.  I had never been to college before and while my children were young had worked as a school office manager for 20 plus years.  About 6 years ago, husband was forced into early retirement from his company he worked at for 35 years and we have been struggling (mostly with lifestyle adjustment), he has found jobs here and there but now at age 62, well let’s just say, I am not prepared to live with retirement.  I have 3 semesters before I complete my BSN and can take the NCLEX for my RN license.  Honestly, I cannot believe I have come this far.  I started going to school at night, a little at a time to take pre-requisites, and when I had to apply for the program, I had to quit my full time job, which was very frightening because with husband not employed I was also giving up full time benefits in the pursuit of something more worthwhile.

The drawback to my experience for me has been my classmates.  I am the oldest in the class with the next person closest to my age being only 40.  Most of my 60 some classmates are in their early 20’s and along with that comes all the angst and drama that age group embraces.  I am so “old school”, believed in studying and working hard, doing what needs to be done.  This generation of 20 something’s, it is just different, there is a work ethic that is definitely missing.

On the plus side, I have a wonderful relationship with ALL of my clinical instructors and professors. In fact they often tell me they forget I’m not their peer.  I love learning from them and just talking to them.  Some of them with children younger than mine have even asked me for advice about things, it is a real give and take relationship. 

This is how I look at it, when I graduate with my degree and then get my license I will be 55 years old.  If I was not in school pursuing this degree in a year and a half I will still be 55! I have so much more life experience than the average 24 year old and that I believe will be an advantage in whatever area I decide to pursue.  So many of the youngsters in my class refuse and disdain working with geriatric patients.  I just have to laugh, as I remind them that if they are lucky enough they will all be geriatric someday themselves.  I love working with the geriatric group as that is the age of my parents, in laws and their friends.  So I guess I will not have any competition when I apply for those nursing positions!

Sorry this post is so long, but I just want to encourage anyone 50+ to go ahead and pursue those goals and dreams.  I wish there were more of us in my program. The re-entering student is going to be a huge part of university life, and schools will have to adjust for us, as our age group is the one that has the time, work ethic, fortitude, and economic means to pursue these dreams!