In 1994, I started college at Dona Ana Branch Community college in New Mexico and received a certificate from a one-year program. I transferred to New Mexico State in 1995 but in 1996 with a child on the way, married, and working full-time something had to go, so I dropped out of college.

Online options were not available back then. After my 2nd child was born, I promised myself I would go back to school after they graduated from high school, and I did. In 2018 I enrolled at Central Carolina Technical College in the associate of arts program. I went to school part-time (online courses) and worked full-time. In 2021, I graduated and in 2022 I was enrolled at USC Aiken, again working full-time but this time also in school full-time in online courses, graduating in 2024 with a Bachelor’s of Communication degree.

I was 48 when I went back to school and 52 when I finished. Literally a 30-year gap from starting college in New Mexico. I learned it’s never too late to get an education and while I had many wonderful careers without a degree, I am excited for what the future holds now and what doors will be opened to me. I was concerned I would be the oldest student, but not only was that not true, but I also discovered that age was insignificant…we were all new students finding our way regardless of our life’s experiences or lack thereof.

If you are thinking about a college education, then now is the time. There is no expiration date on education.