Too Old for College? Think Again

When one hears the words "college student," the image that immediately comes to mind may be that of an adolescent, clad in blue jeans and sneakers or sporting their school's latest paraphernalia, with a backpack over one shoulder and an iPod in plain view. Who would think of the middle-aged parent or the elderly widow as a prime candidate for a college education? I certainly would. Perhaps my vantage point might be somewhat skewed, having worked in higher education for several years and seen students of all walks of life successfully complete two- and four-year degree programs. However, I can confidently say that I have also been personally influenced by two adults who didn't let age or circumstance stand in the way of their academic and professional goals: my parents.

My introduction to college life came from my mother, who graduated with a nursing degree the same year that I completed the eighth grade. I have memories of visiting the campus that she attended, meeting her classmates and instructors, and quizzing her on important class material as we walked up and down the aisles while grocery shopping. While my mother may at times have second-guessed her decision to return to school later in life, her courage and perseverance set the stage for many of my future academic achievements. At the age of 13, I had no doubt in my mind that I would go on to high school and then immediately to college. And that's exactly what I did.

My father also earned his college degree later in life, although I was less personally involved in his academic career back then. Not long ago, however, he decided to return to school for his master's degree - at a time when many people are often preparing for retirement. Begrudgingly, he whizzed through his coursework (did I mention that my Dad is a genius???), always keeping his end goal in mind and never buying into the notion that he was too old to advance his education. I couldn't be more proud of my father, and I recently wrote a poem entitled "With Honors" as a tribute not only to his academic success but also to his success as a parent.