Going back to school at 36: Is getting a degree worth it?
A personal essay explores the challenges and rewards of returning to university at age 36 while balancing a career and family life. The author reflects on the societal pressure to obtain a degree and the personal growth gained despite the stress.
Why it matters
The piece highlights the evolving nature of adult education and the personal trade-offs involved in pursuing higher education later in life.
Believing a degree would give her better career prospects, Jillian Lim juggled work, night classes and two young children, grappling with mum guilt and marital strain. While she’s still looking for a job, she says the experience gave her something she didn’t expect.
The writer wonders if it was worth the stress and marital strain of studying for her degree at 36, with two young children to care for. (Photo: iStock/M_a_y_a)
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in