Letter: Going back to college adds up

To the editor,

The problem with going to college at age 48 is the math – I refer not the actual classes, but the formula for college itself and all the ‘X’ factors. What degree do you want? What degree should you get? What classes should you take? Where do you “steal” the time? How do you pay for college? When will you graduate? What will you do with your degree when you are done?

I originally thought I would be going to the U of M, and eventually I probably will, but it was suggested that I look at a community college to get the ball rolling. I started at Inver Hills Community College this past summer. Originally I felt like a man in a foreign land without knowledge of the language or culture, but the staff at Inver Hills has been very helpful. Each day I get more comfortable with the schedule, the expectations, and the thought of actually completing what I have started. They have assisted and supported me as I try answering the ‘X’ factors of college and keep me focused on the simple arithmetic of what the addition of a college degree will mean.

I plan on graduating with a workable degree in just a few years with hopes of going on to attain a doctorate before I am 60. That should give me about 15 years in my new career before I should or need to think about retiring. I have done the math and even at age 48 going back to college adds up.

Byron Hall

Hastings

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