Older Adults in College

I am now halfway through my first round of college classes. So far, my grades are 100% and 98.9%. Yay!

My classes are quite enjoyable. The professors are great, as are my classmates and the class materials. At 50, I enjoy studying. I enjoy the entire college experience. When I went to college in my 20s it was not this much fun. Learning at that point in my life was just another chore. Now, going to college as an older adult it is fresh and exciting!

At first, I was hesitant about going back to college, thinking that I would be the only person my age there. Soon, I found there are a lot of other students my age. Never in my life has learning been this much fun.

At my age, learning is so much easier. Why do people think older adults learn slower? That is totally not true. With a lifetime of many experiences behind me, I don't have to study as hard when I can just rely on what I already know and understand. My studies can be immediately applied to my work. I'm brushing up on my writing skills, and this helps me with writing the murder mystery novel I'm working on as well as my articles for Associated Content. When I answer the discussion questions in class, I don't have to think so hard to try to come up with something to say. I just know things to discuss because of my life experiences.

I would like to encourage any older adults to go to college whether it is for the first time or as a return student. It is never too late for older adults to get a good education. At my age, I feel that it may be more difficult for me to enter the job market as a fresh graduate so I am taking this time during my education to plan my strategy. Instead of a traditional type job, I am learning better writing skills so I can work at home and write. People expect writers to be older adults who are wiser and more experienced...or at least I think they do. Older adults just have more to pull from.

In just over a year I will be graduating. My daughter, my sister, my niece and I will more than likely all graduate at the same ceremony.

Just because we are older adults doesn't mean we have to sit in the rocking chair and wait to die. Life is meant to be lived until we die, and that means learning must continue until the very last minute.