- Am I too old for this?
- Will it be worth the time and money?
- Can I really keep up with younger students?
- Is this something I can do?
- What’s my purpose for doing it?
When I first considered going back to school at 47, I asked myself all the questions.
But despite the doubts, I said yes anyway.
I envisioned what I wanted my future to look like:
- A flexible schedule—not about working fewer hours but having ownership over how I spent them.
- More time with family and friends.
- The opportunity to be of service to others.
- The chance to leave a meaningful mark in the world.
I began by enrolling in an MBA program. It was intimidating at first—surrounded by younger students, navigating new technology (yes, a classmate helped me set up my Gmail account), and juggling work and family responsibilities.
But I brought something they didn’t: life experience, perspective, and a deep motivation to make the most of every moment.
And guess what? I didn’t just keep up—I thrived.
That decision opened the door to so much more. It gave me the confidence and vision to realize I didn’t have to do the same thing for the next thirty years.
But I was still unsure how to transition to another career – so I stayed at my job at the law firm.
At 53 and at 62, I went back to school again—this time to pursue a couple of certifications as a health and life coach.
This was me, reinventing what my next chapter would look like – transitioning from the legal world into coaching.
That clarity gave me the courage to quit my 9-to-5 and open my own private practice as a health and life coach.
So, is going back to school later in life worth it?
Yes. A thousand times, yes.
Here’s why:
1. You’re not starting over—you’re building on everything you’ve lived. Older students bring wisdom, discipline, and perspective into the classroom. After more than 35 years in the legal field, I used my experience to create a private practice coaching attorneys and to build a career recruiting them for permanent roles.
2. You’re more focused. I wasn’t going back to school to chase a title or a paycheck. I was there for me. That kind of clarity is powerful.
3. You become an example. Whether it’s your kids, your friends, or someone silently watching from afar—you show them it’s never too late to change, grow, and evolve.
4. You expand your future. Education opens doors at any age. It gives you the chance to reimagine the next 10, 20, even 30 years.
But perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned is that going back to school is a deeply personal decision. I didn’t need an MBA to become a life coach—but it gave me the knowledge and, more importantly, the confidence to leave my corporate job and launch my own business – one I’ve now been running for 11 years.
Final Thoughts
There’s a myth that life peaks in your 30s or 40s, and it’s all downhill after that. I’m living proof that this isn’t true.
Some of the most transformative, fulfilling work I’ve done began after 50—including learning how to play tennis at 55!
If you’re thinking about going back to school—do it. Don’t let fear or age hold you back. More than knowledge, what you gain is confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of self-worth.
A few months ago, I was at a leadership conference when someone asked,
“At what age did you feel most energetic and confident?”
Without hesitation, and to their surprise – I answered: “50.”
By then, my kids were grown and independent. I had stepped out of my comfort zone, left my job, and started building a life entirely of my own design.
Returning to school opened my mind to possibilities I had never imagined—because for so long, I was busy raising three children and working long hours to support them.
Now, I’m living a season of life I never thought possible.
A life reimagined.
And your next chapter?
It just might be your best one yet.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Going back to school isn’t about starting over—it’s about adding a new chapter to a story only you can write.”
Emy Fernandez, Certified Life Coach
