My daughter is 35 and just started back to college this fall. It's hard as she has to find study times between her daughter's naps and her sons homework ( a bit easier now that she finally found a limited daycare ) but for the first time in her life she is maintaining an A average. She did poorly in HS due to her BP and drugs. But she is determined to get her degree in communications and work with children. Her cousin ( the same age and who also struggles with a drug history and MI) who went back to school when her youngest was a year old and is now working as a social worker really inspired her. I think the key was she found a career she is truly interested in. Her other cousin who was also into drugs went the trade apprenticeship route. Lots of people find themselves in their 30's.