Going back to school at age 55 was not that hard for me. Of course, as a teacher, I had to take many university courses to advance on the salary schedule after getting my first master's in 1979. So, it wasn't like I hadn't stepped foot in a classroom since then. Of course, this was an option for me, because DH could pay the bills, but I had all kinds of scary warnings from the professors in my department about the "stress" of grad school. Yes, it was stressful, but to a grown up who is used to managing time and workload, it was more business as usual. And, I did not give up my usual activities and friends. I am glad it's done, but, really, it was not that bad. Better than staying home and doing nothing!