I can identify with this because I was 52 when I started my Masters program in Systems Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. Other than starting college degrees at 52 we are not much alike. One thing that struck me was how much harder it became as the years rolled on to get new information and ideas to stick in my head than it had been when I was in my 40s and working on a BS in engineering at the same institution. In my case there was a shit-ton of math to contend with. There’s nothing quite like Graduate level engineering math. I have read that famous mathematicians do all their great work in their twenties. I certainly understand that! By the time I was nearing completion it was like I was pounding it into my head with both fists. When finally finished the dang MS at age 60 some of my professors asked me about starting my PhD and I was like, AYFKM?!?!

Did you also find that the older you got the more determination it took to pound new shit into the old noggin?