I always wanted to go back to school. But when I got pregnant in high school, I convinced myself that my life was over. My only purpose? Being a mom. My ambitions? Gone. It felt like everything I had dreamed of was officially canceled.
But if you’re reading this and thinking “same”—I want to know: What moment in your life made you feel like you had to hit pause? Drop it in the comments. Let’s get real from the start. 👇
From Motherhood to “Maybe There’s More”
For years, I believed my only purpose was raising my son. And don’t get me wrong—I love being a mom. But I also felt like I had lost me in the process.
That invisible question kept showing up in the quiet moments:
Is this all I’ll ever be?
At one of my old jobs, I worked with a doctor who unintentionally changed everything. We catered to nursing homes across Texas, which meant spending long hours in the car together. Our conversations started with small talk and turned into something bigger—deep, honest chats about life and ambition.
We even made it a thing:
“Marie’s Career of the Week.”
Because truthfully? I had no clue what I wanted to do.
He’d throw out a career idea, I’d Google it like my life depended on it. Over time, I realized something powerful: No matter what path I picked, I had to go back to school. That’s when it clicked.
🎓 COVID, Classes, and Course Corrections
So I did what any newly-inspired person does—I enrolled in online classes right as COVID hit. And just like that… life hit back harder.
Between parenting, working, and trying to stay afloat in a global pandemic, school took a back seat. I stepped away, promising myself I’d “go back later.”
Then, last year—I called my own bluff.
I decided to stop waiting for the perfect time and just go for it. Time to get my degree hotter. (Yes, I said what I said.)
The Hard Part: Studying, Failing & Feeling Cooked
Let me set the record straight—this is not a Disney princess montage where I waltz back into class and everything magically works out.
First semester back? I failed every exam.
And not because I wasn’t trying. But because I had no clue how to study anymore. Apparently, there’s a system to this stuff.
Also? I’m older than most of my classmates. Not by decades, but enough to feel it.
And then there’s the slang. One day, a classmate said I looked “cooked.” I still don’t know what that meant. Tired? Dead? Roasted? Either way—I nodded and moved on.
Emotionally, it was rough.
All my life, I was told I was smart. So sitting there, flunking every test? Crushing. But instead of quitting, I pushed through. This semester, I’m passing with 70s—and honestly? That’s progress.
Overcoming the Mental Marathon
Going back to school as an adult isn’t just hard—it’s vulnerable. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 7 million college students are over the age of 25. That’s a whole lot of us chasing dreams after diapers, bills, and burnout. 22.4% of Hispanic or Latina women aged 25 and over actually earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. I want to be included in that 22.4%.
And here’s what’s helping me push forward:
- Caffeine. So much caffeine.
- Visualizing graduation. I picture my parents and kids watching me walk the stage. That keeps me going.
- Remembering this: Time’s gonna pass anyway—might as well pass too.
And honestly? I wouldn’t even be here without that doctor.(Which shout-out to Dr. Moore) He never judged me. He just asked the right questions—the kind that made me stop and think: What do YOU want, Marie?
✨ Why This Story Matters (Maybe Even to You)
I’m sharing this because I know someone out there feels like they missed their shot. Like their goals have an expiration date. Let me say this loud and clear:
You’re not too old. You’re not too late. And your dreams are not canceled.
The obstacles? Yeah, they’re real. But so is your ability to overcome them. Whether it’s failure, imposter syndrome, or Gen Z slang—you’ve got this.
💬 Your turn: What’s made you feel “cooked” recently? Or what dream have you been putting off? Drop it below—I want to cheer you on. ⬇️that’s made YOU feel “cooked” recently? Drop it in the comments below. ⬇️
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