by P.D. Rivers

Created on: November 23, 2010   Last Updated: November 25, 2011

A word of advice to anyone who is thinking about going back to school at an older age; think about how much energy and time it is going to require. Will you be able to fit studying into your schedule along with classes and research? Don't worry about fitting in with other students. Chances are that you will find people your age or even older right there with you. If you are a little worried about the social aspect of school, go online. There are many great schools that allow you to do everything online. Your only considerations are if you have the money to pay for the classes and the time to do the work. Remember that you no longer think as quickly as you did when you were 18 or 20. Don't worry if it takes longer to read and if it is more difficult to remember what you read. You will get better with practice and soon find yourself back in the "groove" of learning.

You might decide to finish a degree that you had to stop for some reason earlier in life or maybe you have decided to pursue something you always wanted to try but never dared.  It doesn't matter if you are 95 when you finallyy cross that stage(or get that online degree) and get that piece of paper that says you have the degree you always wanted. All that matters is that you have finished what you started. You don't have to consider whether or not you are an example to others. That doesn't really matter. You aren't doing this for "others"; you are doing this for yourself. You have taken care of everyone in your life and now it is past time to take care of yourself. Don't you think you are owed the chance to meet your hopes and dreams?

We have been taught that to think of ourelves is "selfish". Others are always supposed to come before ourselves. We are taught that sacrifice is good for us. We seem to have forgotten to teach ourselves to look after ourselves. We begin to believe we don't "deserve" for our dreams to come true. None of this is true. We deserve anything we are willing to work for; we only "don't deserve it" when we take something from other people.

A word of advice: never let your dreams die. Pursue your dreams and accomplish your desires. It is never too late as long as you have breath in your body and desire in your heart.

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