Woman Reaches Lifelong Goal of College Degree at 84
Many people, some even at a very of graduating from college.
One American woman in Texas waited a long lime for her chance to reach that goal.
The woman is 84-year-old Janet Fein.
Last week, she received her bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Fein has had a full life. She has raised five children
and them had a career as a secretary until she retired at age 77.
But even then, she was not ready to take it retirement.
"I didn't have anything to do in retirement and I did't think that playing bingo was up to my
speed." Fein told the Associated Press. She said she decided to major in sociology because she
felt it was "substantial."
Fein grew up in the Bronx area of New York City. She said that in high school, she just wanted to
finish and get a job. After graduating early, at the age of 16, she went to work as a secretary
at a dress manufacturer.
After getting married, she spent 18 years staying home with her children. She held several jobs
throughout her life, including 20 years as a secretary at a Dallas hospital. That is the job
retired from in 2012. She also worked for 20 years on earning an associate degree, which she
received in 1995.
But Fein told the AP she also wanted to earn a bachelor's degree "with all of my heart." Even
with all of her life experiences, she said she enjoyed reading, writing papers and learning
new things. "With each class I already knew a lot, but then I also learned a lot. And that
made me happy."
Fein took part in a state program that lets people who care are 65 and older take free
classes at public universities in Texas. State officials say about 2000 people used the
program last year.
Estimates show that nationwide, people 65 and older make up less than one percent of U.S. college
students. But health experts say continuing with education later in life in one way to keep fit.
Carmel Dyer id director of the UTHealth Consortium on Aging at the University of Texas Health
Science Center at Houston. She says that keeping active and giving yourself something to look
forward to "is just a really positive move."
In Fein's case, she kept going to class even at her health conditions worsened. During her studies,
it became necessary for her to use a walker to get around and she required oxygen. She also
developed knee problems. So, Fein took online classes to finish the last part of her degree
requirements.
Her college advisor was Sheila Rollerson, she told the AP that Fein never showed signs of giving
up even with all of her difficulties. "She just kept plugging along," Rollerson said.