Too Old to Register for College?
Eladia A. Galvan
BEFORE YOU READ:
1. Have you ever felt too old or too young to learn something? What did you do?
2. The author talks about being encouraged and accompanied by her family. What do these words mean? What helps you when you are discouraged?
Never Too Old to Learn
I have always been excited by changes in my life, and I feel very lucky to be alive during this new technological era. Throughout my whole life (I am 82 years old), I have had the opportunity to study and work with everything from manual and electric typewriters to desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, and iPads.
I have worked in a bank, as a teacher, and as a school principal. In all of those jobs, I integrated technology into the work. I have been very happy with my small achievements until I retired. With more time on my hands, I started studying English. I progressed from Level 1 to Level 3. I never felt too old to learn. But then something happened. Let me tell you a story.
But Too Old to Register for College?
I was having a wonderful experience being in Ms. Nava’s class. She taught us history and culture, and she helped us use digital tools to learn more. Then she invited us to do a career exploration activity. We had to search for programs at the University of Texas in El Paso (UTEP). We had to choose a major, make a budget for how we would pay for the classes, and then fill out an application to register at the university.
I felt discouraged because I could not find a major, and obviously I did not have the budget to pay for it. But the final straw was when I filled out the application. The system rejected my application. It said I should go back and write a real birth date! I was born in 1942. Does the system think that no one my age could go to college?
Discouraged But Not for Long
When Ms. Nava asked me if I had finished the process, I told her no. I was very frustrated. I didn’t want anything anymore. I just wanted to go home.
But then something changed! I was in therapy, and suddenly I remembered my three children. When they were little, they encouraged me to go to university. My mother and brothers have also accompanied me and supported me my whole life. Now, I have wonderful teachers encouraging me too!
Starting College this Summer!
Everything in my life has been a learning experience. At the Ysleta Community Learning Center, I have learned that I belong in El Paso and the USA, and that college is an option for me. I have three new friends who like music. We meet to practice guitar and sing. We are so happy. And, yes, I even went ahead and registered for music classes at UTEP. The system thought I was too old, but I know I am not. I am registered now, and my classes start this summer.
AFTER YOU READ:
Why did Eladia want to quit when registering for classes? (Language note: She mentions the final straw. That is a figurative term that comes from the straw that broke the camel’s back.)
Eladia A. Galvan is a student in the English for Internationally Trained Professionals class at the Ysleta Community Learning Center in El Paso, Texas. She was recently hired by the Canutillo Community College Library as an instructor of the Reading Workshop for Parents. She is taking guitar classes for adults at EPCC and attending a choir program, paid for by the city of El Paso. She is very happy to be returning to music and singing!