Three and a half years ago, my wonderful husband encouraged me to sign up for a college degree. Prior to meeting him, I had on several occasions flirted with the idea of going back to school, but the thought was always daunting. The longer I waited though, the wider the gap got. I finally signed up for a placement test at my nearest Community College. I remember asking he come with me in case I changed my mind. I also remember regretting this when he made me go back to the front desk to ask for a math test that I had conveniently skipped for fear of failing. My score was very low and I was placed in a beginnerโs class for both Math and English. The first couple of weeks were challenging because I felt like a fraud, out of place and always conscious of my age. The funny thing is that no one seemed to pay attention, or if they did, they did not show it. Everyone was just getting on with it, or like me, figuring things out. It was great! I had an amazingly supportive family, and my Professors were simply awesome. Everyone was helpful whenever I sought help and sure enough, I started enjoying my time at college. Fast forward to June 2021, I am officially finished with college and will soon be joining University.
I have come to view age as a natural process that Must occur. Rather than a hindrance, age is a necessity for continuity. In the meantime, I will carry on dreaming and I will work to achieve those dreams. My friend likes to remind me that we never stop learning as long as we live. The day we stop is the day we die, or is it the other way around?
Your style is unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this web site.
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Thank you for such kind words. I appreciate!
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Congratulations!! The way you ventured beyond your comfort zone is so inspiring. I hope the university road is smooth and you find every success along the way.
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Aww, thank you so much.
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A big congrats dear lady! I bet your husband is so proud of you!๐๐
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๐
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Haha thank you! ๐ That is very sweet. ๐๐ I appreciate you. ๐๐
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Honey, no one is ever “dense.” We cannot excel in all fields. We are strong in other fields, and not so strong in others. I am sure you have your strong points.
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Haha love it. I too need pushing. Without it I’d never move forward. I’m relatively dense, so sometimes advice and guidance just takes a long time to percolate. :))
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Thank you for sharing your experience with me. You are right; the urge has to come from you, but if you are like me (which I doubt you are) a little pushing works. I unfortunately need pushing sometimes.
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For me it was my husband too, who was also the convincer, some years ago. But I wasn’t convinced. I also didn’t want to spend a lot of time away from the kids as they were younger then. I applied anyway, but failed to get into the program I wanted to, I think partly due to self-sabotage. It’s me who has to become ready… if and when going back is truly right for me. I loved your piece, thanks for sharing.
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Your comments are always sweet, thank you.
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I love this post… I love the idea of going back to school too… you’re inspiring me. :)) Huge congrats!!!
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Well said, Margaret.
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Aww, thank you, Nara.
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Seems appropriate for today, โman mind thyselfโ!!
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Now this is amazing, haha.. wonderful. Many congratulations to you. March further on ๐
Nara x
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Cartographer, that’s great!!
Yes, school is a new experience at an older age, and much fun for the same reason you state. Thank you, Morag.
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Congratulations! What an awesome gift to be to go study. I agree with you age is not something that should stop you ๐ After working as a cartographer before having children and staying at home while raising them I went back to study psychology at the age of 44 and it was such fun to be with all different ages.
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Thank you, Clararidings.
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Congratulations!
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Welcome ๐
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๐ ๐
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Oh yay! The second is my area ๐
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Aww, thank you, Kegarland. History/ English.
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Congratulations!!!!! I’m very proud of you and what you’ve accomplished. What are you going to university to study?
Also, I’m adding this post to the one I just published today.
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Thank you so much, Lily. You have got the right attitude, 100%. ๐
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That is great news. Congratulations. I tell myself that as well.. I love to learn, there’s so much to learn and it does never stop. ๐ Have a wonderful week! And all the best into university.
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My pleasure always ๐
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Thank you, Kritika. ๐
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Aww, you are very kind, thank you. Glad you are doing well, Kinge. ๐
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Welcome. I am well, thank you. Yourself? Following your posts I see you are growing and blossoming awesomely๐
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Yer welcome ๐
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Congratulations! All the best!
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Thank you, Margaret. ๐
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Kinge, thank you so much for such a positive comment. I hope you are doing well and keeping safe.
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Congratulations on taking the step, may you keep learning, growing and prospering. Thanks for sharing to, it’s inspiring with a powerful statement of truth at the end
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Too true Angela about your comments re never stop learning ๐โค๏ธ๐
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Exactly, well said, philosopher. Truth is, everyone is just concerned about themselves, simple as that. 99% of the time, we are thinking about ourselves: health, love, children, money, etc. Everyone is just trying to get on with their life really.
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Congratulations ๐๐
It’s crazy how sometimes we stop ourselves from things because, we feel like the world is watching and really everyone (mostly) is just trying to keep their stuff together ๐คฃ๐คฃ..
Here’s to supportive family.
Onwards and forwards
Congrats
~B
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Haha. You always write so positively, Keith, there can’t be a grumpy bone in you. Thank you. ๐
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Aww, thank you. Friends are an icing on the cake, I hope I make some good friends ๐
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Thank you so much. You definitely have the right attitude to learning.
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๐
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I appreciate your kind words, Island Traveler, thank you so much.
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Wishing you all the success, joy and many adventures as you pursue your dreams. Truly an inspiring, motivation share and truth. ๐โ๏ธ
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You’re most welcome, Angela. Nope, never. ๐๐๐
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that’s really great, congratulations! it’s never late for studying, I still really enjoy studying different courses and learning new things!
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Omg that’s awesome! I’m so proud of you. Congrats for completing college and best wishes for the future. I think you’ll find some of your best friends there, I did too. ๐ค๐
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Same!
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Thank you, lovely. ๐
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Whoa! thank you.
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Yes, well, I wish you strength and motivation to keep going. Thank you for being an inspiration.
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Congratulations, Angela! Not only did you complete your studies, but in so doing, you surpassed your husband’s motivation. When you started this journey, your husband needed to encourage you (ah, the things we do for love…).
Now that you’ve earned your degree, the eagerness is all yours. Proof right there going to school not only helps you be a better person, it makes you smarter! See?
OK, what’s next?
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Good got you!! We can always learn, dream, and hope no matter our age. Kudos to you.
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๐๐ค
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always a pleasure Angela!
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Shame, I don’t know how to send you a love emoji.
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Aww, thank you so much, T, you too my girl.
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Wow ,what a brilliant post! I wish you all the best in your life journeys!โค๏ธโค๏ธ
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Thank you, you, too.
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Thank you, Michele, thank you.
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I can’t imagine the pain of losing a sibling that young. Tragic! Be blessed dear.
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You speak the truth, and experience sometimes is truly the best teacher. Thank you, K.
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Oh my gosh, that’s right. Tomorrow is not promised. Gosh, you are good!
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Thank you, Norah, I plan to. ๐
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Aww, thank you so much for the encouraging words. I hope you are doing well.
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Thank you, Myraide, it sure does. Builds one’s confidence in many ways too. Take care!
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You are so kind, thank you. Love the tips ๐
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Thank you very much!
College only focuses on undergraduate programs, while universities offer both undergraduate and Graduate/Masters/PHD degrees. Some people choose to skip college and do a 4 year program in University, but because I have done college, I only get to do 2 years at Uni.
Does this make sense?
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Congratulations! Very well done for taking the first step and now it paid off. Question: what is the difference between college and university there!
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Congratulations Angela! I hope you have a great time at uni. Whenever I ask my students to write down advice for a younger self, lots of them say “form a study group’. Including the mature students. ๐ Last year one wrote “don’t study so hard”, which was a first.
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Congratulations. Education brings a lot of joy to life and variety and professional opportunities
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Congratulations Angela for taking that step forward, despite all apprehensions. Kudos to your family for all the support they have given you in this journey. I wish you all the best with your University program. ๐๐ปโค๏ธ
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Well done, Angela! Keep on learning for as long as you can.
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Proud of you Angela. Absolutely- age is in the mind. All of us have just today !!
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no rush yet and you are allowed to change your mind .. if you follow your passion you may not earn as much but you will get satisfaction from your work
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Thanks! I was 18 when he died at 21. I went back to University at 22 but was always older than the other students. You’ve been through a lot, too, so it’s great you are doing so well and have your husband to support you in your dreams.
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Your news is so exiting! Congratulations! Life-long learning is a life worth living. ๐ฅฐ
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Thank you, Diana, wonderful words. I am looking forward to UCR, and yes, it is very close to where you are ๐
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Thank you, Jeff. I bet you have never regretted your decision to go back to Uni.
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Thank you so much, Michnavs, and yes, go for it. Thank you for the job you put into bettering our world. Much appreciated.
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Congrats!! It’s so rewarding to go after dreams and it’s so wonderful to have family support you and your dreams!! University of Riverside is a great school and right around the corner from me!! EXCITING!! My kids did the same, attended Jr college and then transferred to university’s. Great way to get back into college to complete your goals. โค๏ธ ~Diana
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Thatโs fantastic, Angela. Congratulations! I went back to University at 33 and finished at, mmmm, 40-somethingโฆage is just a concept. Well done!
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๐๐๐
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Congratulations Angela, as an educator I must say, I am very very happy to read and hear stories like yours…and yes me too at 45 i still have plan of pursuing one more degree๐๐๐
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I am sorry to hear about your brother’s passing, and how his death affected you. Sounds like you persisted and went for it, plus at 22, you were definitely young yourself. Life is a constant lesson and journey with many turns. And look how you turned out. you did great, Katelon. ๐
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Congratulations on completing community college and moving on to University. My brother died suddenly during my first semester of college and I just couldn’t go on. After that I was lost. Then I ended up getting married young, and took a few community college classes. I started back to University being a single mother to a 2 1/2 year old and I was almost 22. It felt strange to be in school with all the young students without kids, and it took me awhile to make it through but I made it. It’s wonderful you are sticking with it even though you feel older than the other students. It is never to late to learn and grow.
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My goodness, Kate, what a great aunt. What a wonderful gesture and attitude. Speaks volumes!
My major is History and English, but I am seriously considering International Relations. Will see and let you know.
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Wooo, “disregard it where it doesn’t matter.” I felt that!!!
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I am proud of your neighbor. And best of luck to you too ๐
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Congratulations!!!! Thatโs a big achievement! And you are blessed for the family support you got throughout the process!
My neighbour is 50 and just made a decision to go back to school, as he dropped out of school years ago, but now regrets it!
I am going back to school even after my graduation in December. It doesnโt stop!
Proud of you!!!!
Gods blessings in the next journey
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Itโs funny that young people are more conscious of age than older ones. Youโve come to the right conclusion, age is a natural progression, disregard it where it doesnโt matters. All the best.
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Aww, thank you, Cheryl. I will be going to UCR (University of California, Riverside). Your family did well ๐
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congrats Angela, bravo for your persistence and an encouraging partner! Well done.
I totally agree with your friends words … my great aunt at 86 yo went to learn Italian coz she wanted to speak to her neighbours. She felt if they had to learn english why shouldn’t she learn their language ๐
Any thoughts about what you plan to study?
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Meowscha, that’s exactly the spirit. Braces, eh? that’s another thing I need sorting out, so good for you.
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Congratulations, Angela on your college completion! โค Onward and upward! Good luck at the University. Where will you be attending? My mother, sister, and I all graduated at about your age.
All the best! ๐
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I plan to go back to college after paying off my braces. I would like to finish my degree even though it won’t change my income at work. I am doing it for me and for the accomplishment.
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