Am I too old to start or return to college?

The short answer is: no! I recieved my Bachelor of Arts last year at 29 years old, and I'd like to share some of the things I've learned along the way. I won't lie, it was a little daunting at first, but I'm so happy I returned to college to finish my degree.

Everyone leads a different path in life, and maybe you never finished your degree, want to change career paths, or you never even started, but no matter what it is, it's never too late.

There are certainly some scary things about returning to school as a non-traditional student, like finances, for one, and finding time, for another. However, there are some huge benefits to starting college or returning to college as a non-traditional student.

Motivation: Motivation can be incredibly difficult as a younger person trying to navigate the world and figure out their future. As an adult working towards a degree with intention, motivation is instantly higher.

Achievement: As an older student, I've achieved more than my younger self ever could. My younger self just wasn't ready to commit to a lifelong journey, but now that I'm ready, I'm able to add more and more to my resume as I succeed.

Networking: Making connections can be difficult, but having experienced professors and other faculty to talk to can instantly open new doors. As soon as I returned to school, I received offers to work on two reseasrch projects, and I took advantage of both.

A Sense of Purpose: As someone who has been between jobs for a good portion of her life, it feels good to finally know that I'm working towards something and that I'm building a career. Every assignment, every grade, every bit of my work feels intentional.

Fitting in: Maybe this is different for everyone, but as an older student, I felt no pressure to "fit in," to make friends, and or to establish a raging social life. I already have friends and family and a life outside of school, so any friends I made were just a bonus!

So, should you return to the world of academia, or jump in for the first time? It's up to you! There may be obstacles in the way, and there may be challenges, but if you think it is something that's going to help you in your career or your life, I say, go for it.

I know a lot of other students of varying ages who have started their academic path later than the average person, and all of them have found it to be a worthwhile experience. Check out scholarships specifically for adult learners or non-traditional students of all kinds!