by Susan Malotte

Created on: December 01, 2008

Refreshed and rejuvenated I strode across campus towards my math class. How wonderful is this that at 48 I have returned to school, was actually allowed at my age to go to college, and found that I absolutely thrived. My worry about not fitting in disappeared fast and I established a rapport with other students, both young and old.

College days! I never thought of college at all as I was growing up and my folks never suggested going. There was no money for college, we were expected to get a job, go to work and be part of the Great American work force. Therefore, I didn't consciously miss a diploma which, now I realize, would have helped me to establish a career instead of the minimum wage jobs I kept trying to live on.

While working in retail, the thought that being bilingual would really help me to communicate with my customers became important. I figured taking one class would be easy and something I could fit into my schedule. With that decision made, I set an appointment with a counselor, did the necessary paperwork and bought school supplies!

About this time I had my 40th High School Reunion. At the reunion I reconnected with long lost friends and caught up on old times, but the thing that impressed me most was the women who had gone to college and had careers. The desire to earn more money and the many successful women classmates fueled my desire to return to school and go after that BA.

I returned home and I practically flew into the counselors office, excitedly telling her I had to graduate! She threw her encouragement into the mix and we set up a plan where I would graduate in 2 years. Since I was already enrolled in Spanish, she suggested I take another class to balance out the semester. Before I knew it I was enrolled in a math class, too. Heaven only knows how much I needed a math class!

My first semester was great. I matriculated, integrated and accelerated all in the matter of a few months. I loved walking the grounds of the campus, luxuriated in being a student and studied diligently. I understood why students loved being students and didn't want to go out in the working world. At one point I wanted to drop out of the working society and just be a student. Your worries were relegated to eating, homework and final exams. No worries, be happy!

I completed my AA in Business with a 3.2, full time job and a family. I was 50 years old when I walked up the ramp and accepted my diploma. I was thrilled and very proud for putting together a real plan, a workable plan with a counselor and sticking to it. I never did learn Spanish but then I didn't stay in retail either! I have a desire to complete my BA in Business, but in the meantime my going back to college gave me the confidence I needed to get my Real Estate license which launched my career.

I encourage anyone wanting to get ahead in life or establish a career to go to college. You're never too old to return to school which was proven in 2007 when 95 year old Nola Ochs graduated from Fort Hays State University in Kansas. So, do yourself a favor and go back to school. I did it, so can you.

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