It’s Been Easier and Harder to Go Back to School

As I come to the end of the first university course that will allow me to finish my degree at sixty years old, I am surprised at two things. One, that it has been easier than I expected and two, that it’s been harder than I expected.

The Easier

The work has been easier than I expected it to be and, for that, I am grateful — inasmuch I was worried that being a little older might affect the way I learn. From my research prior to going back to school, I learned that older brains are still elastic and can learn as well as any mature brain can. In fact, actively learning helps keep your brain younger.

But knowing this intellectually and experiencing it for reals are two different things. So, I was deeply worried going in but, now, sitting at the end of this first part of this process, I am relieved to see that I am picking up the concepts, communicating them well, and also coming up with ideas that are innovative and wholly mine.

I also worried that my age would be a deterrent. I find that in marketing, my field, older women face a discrimination that men don’t. Which makes no sense, really. But it’s a truth. I had a friend of mine complain that she aged out at thirty-five! So, carrying that baggage around, I was worried I was going to have to unpack it in front of everybody.