Midlife to Medicine A Survivor's Guide to Higher Education in Midlife and Beyond

You're never too old to go back to school—but you need the right mindset to succeed. Returning to education as an adult is both exhilarating and terrifying. You'll be the oldest person in class. You haven't studied in decades. You're juggling work, family, and a mountain of responsibilities. The voices in your head say you can't do it. This book proves them wrong.
Carmen V. Mora knows exactly what you're facing. After spending over twenty years as a "domestic engineer," she returned to school in her forties. Starting from remedial classes at community college, she navigated every challenge an adult student encounters—self-doubt, failing grades, family guilt, and even a global pandemic—to earn her nursing degree. She's been where you are, and she knows the way forward. Inside, Carmen shares her own midlife return to college into 15 essential lessons she learned the hard way, offering guidance on how to:
•Balance your course load without burning out
•Turn professors and classmates into lifelong allies
•Advocate for yourself and combat self-doubt
•Make the absolute best of your time and effort
•Prepare to feel like a novice
No matter what degree you're pursuing, the real-world wisdom and actionable advice in the book will help you reclaim your power and rediscover your potential. Above all, it's about finally investing in yourself.

Carmen Signarino is a registered nurse who returned to school in her forties, after twenty years as a wife, mother, and "domestic engineer." Born in Nicaragua, she lived through civil war as a child before escaping with her family to the United States, where she grew up in San Francisco and New York City. Despite early educational hurdles—including learning a second language, struggling with dyslexia, and frequently switching schools—she ultimately earned her nursing degree and rediscovered her identity through education. Carmen lives in New York with her family and is passionate about encouraging other adults to pursue their potential, regardless of age.