Life. I swear I was just 18 years old five minutes ago. I didn't go to college right out of high school like most. Life happened. Married, kids, trying to put a career together. Always one step forward and three steps back. There are three defining moments that I remember vividly that helped bring me to this place. One: The time my boss called a department meeting and let us all know, under no uncertain terms, that we should not expect to go anywhere with the company without a degree; Two: The time in high school someone told me I could never be a lawyer because my parents were too poor; And three: An article in "Dear Abby." The writer wrote for advice on going back to school, but was leery because of her age. Her response: Time is going to pass whether you go to school or not. In five years, you're either going to be five years older, or you can be five years older with a degree. There were three defining obstacles as well. One: Kids; Two: Money; Three: sick grandparents. When the kids got older and the grandparents passed, there were no more excuses. And so it began. And it quickly became an addiction for me.

Online courses were a must. I have a family now that relies on me. I no longer have the option of scheduling work and family obligations around school. I have to schedule school around work and obligations. Even though I'm older, I'm the same as you. The same timid college student entering a new world. Scared because you don't know how it's going to be, what your true plan is, and simply because it's new. A new, unfamiliar road can make anyone anxious. The fact that I'm over 40 doesn't change that. In fact, it intensifies it. By my age, you are well aware that it only takes one small kink in the chain to throw everything totally off balance. Free time is nonexistent. You can't even go away for a few days until you've successfully scheduled around your class schedule, kids' schedules, and found someone to take care of the dogs.

I, like most of you, am not sure what I am doing is going to get me where I want to be. And it makes me nervous. What am I really going to do with this degree? How can I make this work for me? I changed my mind a lot over the years. I went from a travel and hospitality major to an accounting major to a Global Management major. I received my BS in business with a minor in global management in December of 2014. Walking across that stage was the proudest I've ever been in my life. And the exact moment I decided that I wanted a hood.

I'm an MBA student with a minor in international business at Texas A&M - Commerce. For me, the pressure to succeed is more prevalent because I have a family that is relying on me to function. I'm sure I don't have to explain the enormous amount of debt I have in student loans. I have to make this work. I'm also sure that I don't have to explain that working full time and taking as little as two master's level classes is extremely exhausting and time consuming. Having a type-A personality is no longer an asset, but more of a liability if not managed correctly. And if that isn't enough, unbelievably, I am toying with the idea of law school. Yes, I said it. I haven't quite convinced myself yet, but I said it. I'm also not convinced I'll be able to pull it off. I've pretty much mastered the art of setting a quiet time to work on school work. That time is usually two hours before any given assignment is due and I'm suffering from brain freeze. I'm relatively certain law school would require much much more, and I'm not sure I can give it the time it requires. It's just another bridge that I'll need to cross when I come to it.

I can't lie. Returning to college at my age is pretty scary. But so far, I've managed to do it. I can't say it was easy. It wasn't. Two-a.m. last-minute papers. Wondering how you're going to pass after bombing an exam. Keeping track of when your assignments are due and little Johnny's appointments aren't double booked. I once wrote a paper in a box truck driving from Tennessee to Pennsylvania. Save from raising three boys, it's probably one of the hardest things I ever did.

I am living proof that it doesn't matter if you're 18 or 48 if and when you decide you want to go back. One thing I can say for myself is that I'm not a quitter. So I'm in this for the long haul. My grandfather once told me there are two things that nobody can ever take from you: your memories and your education. And I intend to have as much of both as I can squash in to what's left of the rest of my life. John Barrymore once said "A man is not old until regrets take the place of his dreams." We get to do this once. And I want to stay young as long as I can.