The Benefits and Challenges of Obtaining a Masters at 50 - Essay Example

The Benefits and Challenges of Obtaining a Masters at 50 Learning is a dynamic and continually evolving process where individuals get the privilege to exercise and hone intellectual skills to maximize the brains’ capacities. Majority of the students who have been privileged to graduate from tertiary level of education perceive that their academic goals have been ultimately achieved. Those who pursue masters in any endeavor, do so for a variety of reasons. There are a unique and distinct few, who, despite more mature ages, opt to obtain masters or even doctoral degrees to prove that there really are no limits to pursuing higher education.

According to an article published by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QC) Top Grad School entitled “Can you ever go back? Graduate study later in life”, there are eminent benefits of studying later in life, to wit: “older candidates tend to be more focused and less likely to succumb to the financial pressures of their younger counterparts. They can also draw on a range of professional and personal experiences often relevant to their graduate field of study” (QC, par. 3). The discourse likewise noted this group of students are more motivated, are highly confident and able to share relevant applications of the course to younger counterparts.

On the other hand, the challenges are seen in terms of time management and prioritizing work, social and family life and the academic requirements of graduate studies. Whatever the reasons are for older students to pursue masters at 50, or even at later ages, the contemporary stance of most graduate schools globally encourage older applicants due to their maturity and professionalism that would enhance learning in the programs they delve into. As for me, I am definitely pursuing my master’s degree in Nursing at 50 due to the genuine desire to learn something new from this field of endeavor, and to eagerly share what I have experienced in return, from my career for the past 30 years.

Work Cited Quacquarelli Symonds (QC) Top Grad School. “Can you ever go back? Graduate study later in life.” Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2010. Web. 26 March 2011.