Going Back To School At An Older Age...?
By Angel
@Angelee_27 (3460)
United States
September 15, 2011 7:03pm CST
Do you feel there is any point in going back to school after a certain age?
For example: A woman who dropped out of high school in the 9th grade decides to get her GED (general education) at age 45-50.
Do you think that there is any point in this? Is it too late to go back? What would be the benefit, other than self-satisfaction?
5 people like this
25 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
16 Sep 11
I have heard of many who have done this and most of them it was for self satisfaction. Although I do recall some who do go that do so also as an example to their children that they lead by example as well.
2 people like this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
16 Sep 11
No it would not be too late because some actually have yet far more years to work in their lives prior to retiring. For instance a housewife who now has no children at home and or they are in school and she has more time now. It also depends on the career they aiming for. For instance a cosmetologist has to get her GED first. Then she can go to cosmetology school. There really is no set age for a beautician.
I remember a patient where I use to work and he graduated law school at age 89. He got his GED at age 57. I don't believe he was going to start working in the field but this was something he wanted for many years but could not do, due to family obligations.
2 people like this
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
16 Sep 11
I suppose you're right... thanks!
This is why I started this discussion. I honestly couldn't see the point, other than self-satisfaction. But, thanks to everyone's wonderful responses, I now see more than just self-satisfaction. 
This is why I started this discussion. I honestly couldn't see the point, other than self-satisfaction. But, thanks to everyone's wonderful responses, I now see more than just self-satisfaction. 2 people like this
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
16 Sep 11
I agree, I think those are the most common reasons for older men and women going back to get their education. But, that is about the only reasons I can think of. I mean, at an older age, you would think it would be a bit too late to try and start a career or anything like that.
3 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
16 Sep 11
You been snooping in my private files Angelee????
J/K, I ask you this because that is my age range, I did quit school, actually in 10th grade, but never finished the year and I got my GED in 2005 and started taking college classes last year..
That said, I guess my answer would be "NO" it is not too late..Why am I taking them? For two reasons: 1.I already got inside info that the local schools will hire someone with a degree quicker than one without and 2. I can sharpen my writing skills and hopefully get my novel published without spending over $1,000 for an editor..
J/K, I ask you this because that is my age range, I did quit school, actually in 10th grade, but never finished the year and I got my GED in 2005 and started taking college classes last year..
That said, I guess my answer would be "NO" it is not too late..Why am I taking them? For two reasons: 1.I already got inside info that the local schools will hire someone with a degree quicker than one without and 2. I can sharpen my writing skills and hopefully get my novel published without spending over $1,000 for an editor..1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Nope it isn't and though I complain about some of the classes I have to take, like math, I feel great and learning so much...
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
16 Sep 11
That's good.
Learning is always good, I think. People never stop learning. Everyone is still learning new things until the day they leave this earth.
1 person likes this
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Ohh, someone who has a personal connection to my question!
Well, those sound like very legitimate reasons to me. I guess it is never too late.
Well, those sound like very legitimate reasons to me. I guess it is never too late.1 person likes this
@petersum (4522)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Look at it this way. 50 is much too early to retire but it can be difficult to get a job at that age. So you have to make yourself as attractive as possible to employers. Having done some extra school shows that you are still willing to learn new things. You show that you are not lazy.
1 person likes this
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Hmm... good point! That makes sense.
1 person likes this
@chicksdigscars (5483)
•
16 Sep 11
I don’t think its every too late to go back to school.. I actually think it’s BETTER to go to school late.. as we get older our brains, thoughts and emotions mature.. there are elements of schooling and learning that we can probably handle better as adults than we ever could as kids. And when we were younger all we wanted to do was party and we hated school because we HAD to go.. but if we are older, and more mature, and we make the decision to go to school.. it’s something we want to do, and we won’t hate it or want to avoid it :)
@chicksdigscars (5483)
•
19 Sep 11
exactly.. so if you choose to go back to school, you'll do better.. and the chances are you'll be in a better position to fancially support yourself instead of taking out loans, spending it on booze, and then being completely and utterly screwed haha!
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
19 Sep 11
Interesting response!
It makes a lot of sense, and I have to agree.
When I was younger, I hated school and did not see what was so important about it... even though all the adults seemed to make a big deal about it.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Yes there is a point. T got my GED at an older age. I had an equivalency much earlier in life but there was no record of it when I went to college for business. I took the GED course and took the exam and then went to college. I use the training from college in my work at home business. I do have self satisfaction but I also make decent money at what I do. I would not be a writer now had I not gone to college.
1 person likes this
@DiaJ88 (170)
• Singapore
16 Sep 11
Hi Angelee_27. I feel that there is a point going back to school even at any age. Gaining knowledge and education doesn't have any age limitations. By upgrading oneself, it means that after graduating, you can get a better job. Even if the person won't come back to work after that, they could begin teaching from home to earn extra income to support them. Self-satisfaction is one of the main reasons that a person does that. Fulfilling something that you have been wanting to do would make a person become happier.
1 person likes this
@silverfox09 (4708)
• United States
23 Sep 12
I think if they want to they should , its satisfying to fulfill something you started. This does not apply for only woman but for men and woman that drop out of school every year if its something they want they should go far it and let no one tell them other wise .
@Mikaela_taz25 (1842)
• Philippines
17 Sep 11
I dont think that education will be ever late to the person who is willing to learn and be educated, as long as the person wants to learn and achieve something, its either a self satisfaction or wants to create business or having a stable job it can never be late that can be your own benefits. Education its not a something that you can take away, throw or pull away from you.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
17 Sep 11
My uncle and my cousin never went to high school when they were young and they both decided to go back to school as adults. When they started my uncle was in his late 60's and my cousin was about 50. After high school my uncle wants to become a teacher. If everything goes well he will be in his mid-50's when he finish his education, so he will be able to work as a teacher for about 10 years. My uncle doesn't work anymore and he is not taking classes because he wants to get another job. He takes classes because he enjoys it and because he is interested in the subjects.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Education is very important. there is no age barrier on learning. we are learning throughout our lives. We should never be embarrassed or pass judgment on someone older who is looking to further education. i say more power to someone who is willing to go back to school in their older years. good luck to them for their endeavors and never giving up. @cow_boy29 (236)
• United States
16 Sep 11
no i dont hink so beacuse there no late to learning in all of age, so they are not
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
16 Sep 11
I don't think it's too late to learn, but what would the benefit of going back be? I think it would be a bit too late to try and start a career at such an age.
2 people like this
@thestavreva (151)
• Greece
16 Sep 11
Why not many people do that.After they leave for some reason no matter what kind and then when its necessary like you need high school in miy country in order to have driver license my grandparents graduate that way,but for self-satisfaction never hear about that!
@Angelee_27 (3460)
• United States
16 Sep 11
I have heard of people doing it for self-satisfaction. Those who did not get their education just want to go back to prove to themselves they can do it, and it's a great achievement for them.
2 people like this
@catamari (127)
• Romania
17 Sep 11
To be honest I love to study. In general I don't liked educational system. Now I regret that I losed my students life because I wasn't in an University. Now I wish from entire my heart to go there. I am sure that is possible. There is only financial problem, financial wall. I think we need to learn all ours life. The knowledge is all the time very important. Even nowadays we can learn ourself because of internet and new technologies. To be with people around you, to study together is a great feeling. Yes, I want to go back in the school, to follow an University.
@watchamacallitz (1171)
• Philippines
23 Sep 12
The mere thought of being able to finish school is ecstatic! To some, going back and finishing school may not be a fun and good idea, but to someone, having a diploma means the world to them! It's not just self-satisfaction but also something that will help boost your morale. Personally, I dont see anything wrong with going back to school at the age of 50, nor at 60. :)
@00fear (3216)
• United States
16 Sep 11
Nope, I don't think its too late for that. Just the same problem for me but I am looking to get my degree. I'm 24 and barely getting a certificate and I said to myself that I'm too late to go for my degree/bachelors/masters/etc, degree. People say that is never too late especially for me, since they say I'm still young. There are others older than me that are also considered young enough to go for it.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
16 Sep 11
I don't think that it is ever too late to complete your education. There's no point on giving up on some of the things that you want to do in your life just because of your age. If you do that, then you might as well say that there's no point at all. I have a friend who is 49, and she started doing a degree when she was 48. If she can do that at her age with the aim of having a completely new career to be able to support her children, then there is no reason why everyone else shouldn't be able to do the same in their lives.
@zhawee (873)
• Philippines
16 Sep 11
for me I want to back in school and finishing my study as Education, but im to old now im 35 years old. So im very shy when i see my old teacher or maybe my classmate were my teacher to be. so i don`t know what my decision and beside i don`t have enough support to my study. that it also my problems
@pennywise25 (321)
• Mexico
16 Sep 11
I think it's quite late, but it all depends on the situation and the person's character. If the woman is still excited about learning, then it's ok, there's no age to stop or start learning. Though It'd be more appropriated to go to the university studying a second career in case she already has one.It is always fulfilling doing what you like, and if you enjoy learning, then go for it :)
@Zamara69 (130)
• United States
16 Sep 11
No, I don't think it's ever too late. The founder of Wendy's was already a millionaire before he got his GED at age 65. He did it just because he wanted to. It was for self satisfaction. It's really how you feel about it. If it's a necessity to get hired for work, I think it would be a good idea. But, I for one in my opinion if you are well established financially, why bother?
