You Are Never Too Old
Let’s start this week’s blog with a few questions. Have you ever wanted to take your photography or design interests further? Do you want to follow a different hobby or start a new career all together no matter what the subject? Have you thought to yourself, “I am too old to take a course or go back to school”? Well, I want to tell you that you are not alone. You, like millions of people, including myself, have thought this numerous times. Sometimes the thought instantly disappears as soon as the seed of doubt is planted in our psyche. There can be the struggle going back and forth in your mind of “should I, shouldn’t I”. There can also be the thought of “can I do this”? Now, let me tell you that you can. You can do anything that you put your mind too no matter how old you are.
As I have stated in my first post, I decided to go back to school in my late 30s. There were always the “should I, shouldn’t I” arguments going on inside my thick head. Finally, I said to myself “why not”. Why not pursue something that I have a real interest in that also I enjoy. Like I said before, it can be anything you are interested in. For me it just happens to be photography and graphic design. I started coming up with a list of things I needed for myself to go back to school. First, I needed wherever I was going to take classes at to be online. At the time, this was pre-pandemic, so I did have an option of brick-and-mortar school or online. I needed the online classes because I am busy. I am a husband, a father, full time employed and own a home. That combination right there makes having time to do things such as school seem impossible. Sometimes it can feel that way, but if I can do it, you can do it.
Next, I had to set realistic goals for myself with going to school. As a full time student, you usually take 3-5 classes a semester. Life doesn’t afford me that kind of time right now so I had to have something where I could take as little as one class a semester or be full time if I choose to be. I did my research and decided on a program that gives me the autonomy that I need. There are plenty of universities that offer degrees and certificates for a range of subjects. I also had to find a place that accepted adults. Once all that research was done, the fun began. One thing I had to tell myself that was super important was “I can take as much time as I need to complete my degree”. At this point in my life where I am at, I don’t need to rush. This allows me the time to concentrate not only on my quality of schoolwork but to also make sure I kept the right amount of time allotted to my family and my job.
This was the time to choose what degree I wanted. I already had made up my mind that I wanted a degree instead of a certificate. I knew that I wanted something that would afford me the option at some point in my life to be able to work from wherever I was and also to do something I really enjoy doing. I chose to go for a bachelor’s degree to start. This is where the nerves of excitement and apprehension start. I picked the path I was going to go down, made a few phone calls, and here I am now, in the middle of a graphic design and digital media degree. I love every minute of it and wouldn’t change a thing. I take classes online, at my own speed. I stay focused, work hard on my assignments, and do the best I possibly can to learn and hone my craft. I already have plans to go right into a master’s program when I complete this one. There isn’t any reason you should hesitate to get an education in something you enjoy, no matter what your age. There are plenty of student aide and related programs that allow anyone to go to school. So, get your plan figured out, choose your path and work your way to success!
