Updated: Dec. 18, 2015
Originally Published: June 12, 2015
I just wrapped up another round of college, and let’s just say I’m poking 50 with a stick.
Thirty years back, I earned my associate’s degree, completely clueless about my next steps. Sure, I knew I had a knack for writing, but everyone around me had other opinions. “Business is the safe bet,” they said. Fast forward two years, and I proudly walked across the Hofstra University stage with a bachelor’s in English, diving headfirst into the world of book publishing and PR in Manhattan. I never looked back.
Now, 24 years later, living the classic suburban life while juggling a journalism side gig, I often fantasized about returning to school for an MFA to tackle the novel I had penned. I confided in a friend, “Everyone in grad school is going to be so young. Ugh, I’ll be nearing 50 when I graduate.”
She dropped the truth bomb that became my guiding principle: “You’re going to be 50 anyway. Just go for it.”
What’s the Big Deal About Age?
So, what’s the big deal about age? We can’t stop our bodies from aging, and gravity has its way with us all. When we reach certain milestones, are we expected to act a certain way? Does age mean we have to stop having fun? I think aging gracefully boils down to being open to new experiences. Pick a day—any day—and embrace it. Picture your future self at any age, and just go for it.
I fretted about feeling too old. Millennials and their tech-savvy ways had zoomed past me while I was busy diapering, pushing strollers, and reading “Goodnight Moon” for the millionth time. But I took the plunge and enrolled in classes at Stony Brook’s Southampton and Manhattan campuses.
To my surprise, I discovered I wasn’t the youngest in the room, but certainly not the oldest either (there was an 80-year-old classmate!). I fit right in, somewhere in the middle. Let’s be honest: not many of us in our 40s are in grad school. We’re busy living life—juggling careers, parenting, paying bills, and helping our aging parents.
Life’s Whirlwind
With three kids in middle and high school, a part-time PR job, and two hamsters plus a dog demanding my attention, life was a whirlwind. My husband was often on business trips, and once during a screenwriting class, I got a voicemail from my kids saying they were hunting for dinner at the local strip mall. Oops! Another time, my son got locked out of the house and ended up sipping hot chocolate with our neighbor. I learned to juggle everything without stressing over age. I made friends for life, enjoyed writing and discussing books, and reignited my creative spark.
One sunny day, as my classmate Lisa and I sat at Stony Brook’s LaValle Stadium, Billy Joel received an honorary music degree. With blue skies overhead and warmth on our faces, he said, “If you’re not doing what you love, you’re wasting time.”
Bring It On!
So here’s the deal: You’re going to be 50 anyway. Bring it on!
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Summary
This article reflects on the journey of returning to school in one’s 50s, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities regardless of age. The author illustrates how embracing new challenges can lead to personal growth and reigniting passions, despite the chaotic nature of life.