10 years ago I discovered I could attend college at any public Georgia college/university tuition free. The requirement is be 62 years old and a Georgia resident. All required is an application, $60.00 fee and previous college transcripts. Taking exercise science courses would be an inexpensive way of getting continuing education credits to maintain coaching licenses I have. Upon acceptance at Georgia State University I was asked if I wanted to declare a major. When they also advised 130 hours had transferred from my previous college career so I was a senior, I embarked on a second undergrad degree, this time in exercise science.
Along the way I took other courses of interest, and in 2017 wound up with an undergrad gerontology and BS in exercise science. I then started working on a graduate gerontology degree fueled by an interest doing a research thesis "Comparison of cardiovascular changes occurring in older adults engaging in diverse types of stationary cycling exercise". Along the way I won third place in what's called the "Three Minute Thesis" competition, spent 2 weeks in a study abroad semester in China, and prepared my thesis proposal. Covid derailed my research plan. Instead I founded Georgia Cycling Without Age, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for those with limited mobility to enjoy the freedom, joy, and adventure that cycling provides using a specialty battery assisted bike that allows them to ride under the guidance of a pilot. That Capstone project finalized a Gerontology MA in 2021.
I also took kinesiology grad courses in addition to gerontology classes to help in prepare for my research study. Once I was half way to a Exercise Science MS that became the next goal. No sooner had that goal happened this past summer, I was recruited to teach an under grad anatomy class at GSU this semester.
So it has been a 10 year adventure and I am not sure it's over. I don't plan on a PHD, as I now realize research is not my cup of tea, and I can now teach at college level if that's what I want to do. I have extensive teaching experience from my previous insurance career and learned more anatomy teaching than when I originally took the course. The biggest challenging teaching for me going forward would be figuring out how to effective engage and communicate with students three generations removed from mine.
As I mentioned, this journey has been tuition free. My expenses have been minimal lab fees in a few classes, text books, transportation/parking,. My tuition costs had I been paying would have been $90,000. Sometimes being old and interested in more education has advantages.
