Note: This is a revision of a piece I wrote six years ago when I started college. I have edited it and revised a little but the principles are the same.
STARTING COLLEGE AT AGE 70
22, Oct 2013
Revised 5, Sept. 2019
Early this past spring, while
enjoying an evening of solitude, I got to thinking about what I should do with
the rest of my life. I had considered going into senior housing or a retirement
center, but the idea troubled me. I asked myself was I really that ready to
give up and surrender to old age? I could say I had a mental and emotional war
with my feelings, but that would be a lie. I’ve been on my own since I was
fifteen, the idea of giving up my freedom now was simply too terrifying to
contemplate. So what can I do with all the free time and minimal funds I have?
Then I remembered the words of one of the sweetest people I know, Jina, a
Korean girl who, along with her husband Bin, had rented a room from me while
she was completing her Master’s Degree at Washington University here in St
Louis. She said, “Papa, you go to college. I be so proud of you!”
College? I’m thinking about
starting college at age seventy? Last time I was a full-time student was in
1959 when I punched my English teacher for hitting me. I left school, and he
got suspended. Now, fifty-four years later I’m thinking about fulfilling my
dream of going to college full time. I may be crazy but hey, why not try it?
Just no coed dorms and shower rooms, I’m too modest, and I’d be too much competition
for the young dudes. This could be fun!
Feeling as though I was setting out
on a long trek, my first step had been deciding to pursue my dream. The next
was to acquire the means to. Step one was pretty easy, step two was going to be
difficult, if not impossible, or so I thought. Being retired and living on just
my social security check doesn’t leave me anything extra for frills such as an
education. The weak economy had wiped out what little money I had saved, and
I’m not named an heir in anyone’s will. Then how does an old man with no money
find the funds to go to college? If he’s smart, he looks for the same resources
a young man does. In my case, it was the Financial Aid section of the St Louis
Community College website where I learned about FAFSA (Free Application for
Federal Student Aid). FAFSA is a gateway to many different sources of
educational funding for students of all ages, and it was step two for me.
Basically, there are two ways to
apply for FAFSA funding. The first is meeting with a financial aid advisor at
the college and the second going online to the FAFSA website to apply. They
both have advantages and disadvantages – I chose the website as it was more
relaxed and I could go at my own pace. It took me about thirty minutes to
complete the application, and an hour later, I received an e-mail notification
that I had been approved for funding and assigned a student identification
number.
Did I mention I did this at about
midnight on a Saturday night? You read that right, I had taken a significant
step towards realizing a lifelong dream on a Saturday night. I had no idea what
I wanted to study, nor did I care at that moment, I just wanted to call
somebody and shout it out, I AM GOING TO COLLEGE! Not a good idea, most of my
friends are in bed at ten, so I chose option two, a bourbon Manhattan and the
late news.
I had to wait until June to take step three, the ACT Compass
evaluation testing. (I’ll cheat a little here and do a copy-paste so the
information is correct.)
“ACT Compass is an untimed,
computerized test that helps your college evaluate your skills and place you
into appropriate courses. ACT Compass offers tests in reading, writing, math,
writing essay, and English as a Second Language (ESL). You will receive your
ACT Compass test results immediately upon completion of testing, and your score
report will include placement messages informing you what courses you should
take and how to register.” “ACT Compass is not used like a traditional test.
There is generally no “passing score.” Rather, ACT Compass scores
indicate areas in which you are strong and areas in which you may need help.
Thus, ACT Compass can identify problems in major subject areas before they
disrupt your educational progress, giving you the opportunity to prepare more
effectively for needed courses. You and your institution can use scores from
ACT Compass tests to prepare a course of study that will be appropriate,
relevant, and meaningful for you.”
June arrived with the late rains of
April and the ACT Compass evaluation test. I was in a state of nervous
excitement as I went to the Assessment office, where I signed in and got
instructions on what to do. Then a lady ushered me into a computer lab (a room
which has desks with computers on each) and assigned me a seat. I’m not a
computer geek nor do I type well, so I was very thankful the test was not
timed. It was interesting though: easy to read, thorough and not graded. Once I
was comfortable with the keyboard I dug my heels in and did my best. It took a
while to complete, but that didn’t bother me, I was having fun and actually
learning something new. When I was done, I had to wait while the lady printed
out the results for me. My high school math scores were midline, college math
was almost non-existent but English comprehension, and composition were 94 and
97 respectively. That took me completely by surprise.
Step four was Student Orientation
day! Then came butterflies in the belly. The first significant challenge for me
in college was: what do I wear to go to school? I’ve worn uniforms or work
clothes all my life. I probably have only one nice shirt and pair of pants. How
could I go to school and impress everyone if I wasn’t dressed cool? Scary as it
sounds, I decided to just be myself but cleaner. Arriving on time, I found the
conference room without a problem and immediately decide I’m the oldest person
within a hundred miles. I see bright, shiny young faces everywhere. I knew they
were all staring and talking about me I remember it. Oh well, I’m a pretty
impressive guy, so I joined the throng, listened to the somewhat dull
introduction, received the handouts and waited in line to see a counselor. When
my turn came, I was asked what courses I planned to take, and I said, huh? I
hadn’t considered exactly what classes I wanted to take, I was just happy to be
invited to learn. We talked about my ACT Compass scores and what they felt I
should do, I said ok, let’s do it. Next thing I knew I was sitting at a
computer signing up for American History, Philosophy, Honors English and
Algebra. I was committed or should have been. I hadn’t been a full-time student
since 1959, and I had signed up for twelve credit hours of college? I hear
Jina’s beautiful voice, “I’m so proud of you Papa!” That did it, bring it on.
My next stop was for my student ID
card and parking permit. This was an easy one. I just needed to prove I was me,
have my picture taken and sign all sorts of papers. My official ID card was
mailed to my home in about three weeks. Final stop of the day was Financial
Aid. I had come prepared with copies of my online applications and related
confirmations. As I handed the paperwork to a pretty young lady at the front
desk, she looked at me as though I were insane. “Your paperwork is all in
perfect order! I just need you to sign two forms, and you’re done. Welcome to
Meramec.” Guess I got that part right.
Walking out of the office, I felt a
little overcome. After so many years my dream was close to becoming reality yet
something seemed to be missing. I meandered around campus for a while
orientating my mind and spirit to the alien environment. I didn’t know what to
expect or how I would actually feel once I started classes, I just had to know
what it felt like to walk on campus. Everything was so different and yet warm
and inviting. I decided to just sit under a tree to watch people and listen to
the wisdom of nature. As I sat there thinking, I noticed something to my right
that seemed out of place. There, under a small bush, lay a weather-worn
paperback book with torn cover. I picked it up to see if it had an owner’s name
in it – nothing. A student needs books to help learn (insert light bulb here)!
I am now a student, I need books so that I can learn!
Step five was the college bookstore,
but I didn’t have the money to buy the books I needed, or so I thought. Since
it didn’t cost anything to browse the shelves for the books I would need,
that’s what I did. I could always come back when I had the money. As I was
browsing a clerk offered her assistance. I told her I was a new student getting
orientated and was looking for the books I needed for my classes. I showed her
my class schedule, and she picked out those available. When I told her I didn’t
have the money to pay for them yet, she asked me if I was getting financial
aid. I said yes, and she asked to see my student ID card, which I didn’t have
yet. Then she asked if I had a student ID number and that I had. She entered my
student number in the bookstore computer system, and much to my amazement told
me I was approved for a bookstore account which meant I could get books on
credit until my financial aid funds were released at the end of the fifth week
of class. All I needed was my official ID card, and that wouldn’t arrive for
three weeks. I was both excited and a little disappointed. I wanted a textbook.
I did have enough cash on me to purchase one of the required novels. So I did
just that. Head high, shoulders back and proud as a peacock I strutted out of
the bookstore holding my very own requisite college book. I was finally an
official student.
Finally, step six was first day of
class, and I was about as nervous as the Grand Dragon of the KKK at a Martin
Luther King rally: I think I would fare better though. Walking into class, I
got those stares, you know, the ones that said “what’s he doing here. Is he
someone’s grandpa? Maybe he’s the janitor.” Nope, sorry kiddies, I’m a student
too. In class, we did self-introductions just like back in the 1950s Each
student said his/her name and maybe a little about themselves. My turn comes,
and what do I say? Come on Papa, do the obvious, tell them what they’re wanting
to know. “I’m Dick. I’m seventy years old, and I’m realizing a lifelong dream
of going to college.” Reactions ranged from applause to stunned silence and a
few, “No way man, you ain’t that old.” My favorite was the “Awesome dude!”
Regardless what was said, the tone I felt was one of acceptance and warm
greetings and it was genuinely Awesome Dude!
Step seven, at long last, I was in
college and ready to learn. Unfortunately, I was learning things about myself
that threatened to compromise my education. First is hearing, I am gradually
going deaf. My hearing was damaged years ago when I worked as a paramedic/emergency
vehicle driver. The driver’s cab of emergency vehicles was not insulated
sufficiently to mute the sound of the sirens mounted on the roof, directly over
our heads. No one thought of taking precautions to protect our hearing. I
developed Meniere’s disorder, a fluid imbalance in the brain which presents as
tinnitus, vertigo, and progressive hearing loss. Just when I have the chance to
realize my dream it may not come because I couldn’t hear and couldn’t afford
hearing aids. To my good fortune, the college has helpful people, and I was
steered to the Access office where they do more than their best to help
disabled students. The Access staff outlined what I had to do to get help. I
needed doctor’s letter stating I have an impairment and current Audiograph test
results to verify the primary diagnosis. Once everything was done and approved,
they provided me with an electronic amplifier to use in classes and letters to
each professor instructing them to work with me. Things were going good until
another issue arose. I cannot do algebra. I carefully listen to the lectures,
take copious notes, do as much of the homework as I can but cannot retain the
formulas long enough to pass the quizzes and exams. Back to the Access office
and this time it wasn’t so easy.
Short term memory loss is pretty
common to all ages but increases as you grow older, what I’m experiencing isn’t
the same. With short term loss we usually remember within a short time, not
now, this time it’s a total block. As my doctor told me, “You may be
experiencing a cognitive impairment. We need to set up an appointment with a
Neuropsychologist for a complete evaluation.” Earliest I can get is 12/10/13,
just before end of semester. The Access office can only give me limited
assistance until a final diagnosis is made, I’m screwed in algebra. My hopes
and dreams of becoming a space explorer are gone. But I refuse to give up
trying.
Am I going to stop at step seven?
No, each new challenge is a chance to learn something new. I came to school to
learn. I am learning at school. I will remain in school to learn for as long as
the Spirits allow me to. I’m a fighter! Today, if I were asked the most
important thing I’ve learned in the process of starting college at my age, I
would have to say – know yourself and do not be afraid to voice your limitations.
If you are considering enrolling in college, please take the time to meet with
the counselors in the Access Department well in advance of the start of classes
to discuss your challenges and the support available to you.
