40-year-old woman explains her decision to go back to school for a bachelor's degree

Age and time should not become barriers in the pursuit of anything I want in life. Though society has defined standards and different ages for everything, we can pick ourselves up from the start at any stage. A Reddit user, u/AngelaChasesHair, shared how after defying all odds she made the decision to go back to school as a 40-year-old woman. She started the post by saying, "I feel like most people my age, when I tell them I'm going back to school for the millionth time to try and get my bachelor's degree, are a little perplexed. As though they think that ship has sailed and I'm well on whatever path I'm on now and it's too late to turn back." She does not completely disagree with what people say, but at the same time, she also thinks that she can make her own choices.

She explained that she knows how it feels to be someone who does not have a college degree, as many doors get closed for people who do not have one. Even though she is doing great in life, she has a great apartment in a nice place, a wonderful husband and a small business. She also became a licensed massage therapist during her 30s and works in a spa, which she greatly adores. However, not having a degree limits her career options. Now, at 40, she wants a degree to lead her to several more professional alternatives.

It would also make her feel accomplished and fulfilled. She further wrote, "But the lack of degree thing has always been this looming cloud over my head. I've been a student on and off for my entire adult life, and I'm finally a junior now and I really just want to finish this degree. I just feel like it'll give me the biggest sense of accomplishment I've ever had in my life. And maybe open up a few more doors." She is a little scared about being the oldest person in the class and is trying to wrap her head around it. She hopes to get along well with her classmates.

People on Reddit came to her support and motivated her to pursue her dreams. Some even shared their own experiences of the same, u/slothDogs9514 shared their story, "I completely agree with that. We had a former nun in our class! We loved her and enjoyed her. I'm sure she felt a little lonely because we really couldn't be peers. We were 18 and stupid, but smart enough to know she had wisdom we did not!"

u/sunflowerinthesky supported her by saying "Congrats! First, you won't be the only older person in school. When I was in college, it wasn't that unusual for there to be a student in their 40s, even if it was only just one or two in the class." u/2Wondercat87 shared, "I went to college right after the great recession and there were a lot of mature students in my classes. I always felt they offered excellent perspectives on what we were learning in class and also from their experiences. Any time I've taken an educational opportunity I haven't regretted it. I do a lot of continuing education through work. It keeps you fresh and helps you grow."