Dear Marie:
Thank you in advance
for answering my question. I have been divorced for 3 years and I'm thinking
about going back to school. It has always been my dream to have a college
education but I never seemed to be able to make it happen. I married young and
started having kids right away. Now I'm divorced and the kids are done with
school and out on their own. I think it's my turn to do what I want.
As usual, my ex‐husband is saying
I'm too old to go to school. My friends tell me to go for it. I turn 50 in a
month. What do you think? Am I too old?
--Back to School in Colorado
Dear Back to School:
You're never
too old to go back to school. This is the perfect time. Your kids are gone and
you're not in a relationship. You'll have time to dedicate to your studies.
Based on your letter, going to college has been your long-term dream. A dream
is not to be taken lightly or thrown away because someone else thinks you can’t
do it. This is a 'Bucket List' dream – something you want to do before you die.
I applaud you for wanting to follow through with it.
Go forward with your dream. You'll
accomplish something wonderful. Attending college will not only help you learn
new skills, you'll also boost your self-esteem in the process.
Think about this -- my favorite
OBGYN doctor went to medical school after her kids were adults. She once said
she always dreamed of becoming a doctor but knew she had to wait until the kids
were raised. She was in her 40's and going to school with students who were not
much older than her own children.
After medical school, she needed
even more training to become a gynecologist. By the time I became her patient,
she was in her mid 50’s. She was considered one of the best doctors in the
city. Beginning this journey later in life gave her a deeper sense of
compassion for her clients. She had a deeper commitment because it was a dream
fulfilled. She also had more life experience to draw upon than the younger
doctors.
Twenty or 30 years from now you
don’t want to look back over your life and see this dream unfulfilled.
Do it
now!
Get Connected:
