Returning to college can produce a mix of feelings: excitement, apprehension, nervousness. How will I fit in a class with students much younger than me? Will I be able to connect with professors as an adult student? Will my life experience count as college credit? Will I be able to take advantage of all of the resources--like tutoring, internships, and career counseling--that younger students do?

Age: 54

Entered Simmons: Fall 2007

Major: Sociology

Graduated: May 2010

Faculty Advisor: Professor Valerie Leiter

Education prior to Simmons: Bethany College in West Virginia, 1973- 1974 and Katherine Gibbs in Boston, 1975-1976

I was able to transfer in 26 credits, and I earned 20 credits through the Credit for Prior Learning program.

What were doing before Simmons? I worked as a secretary for about five years, got married in 1978 and was blessed to be able to work as a stay-at-home mother while I raised my three daughters.