55-Year-Old Mom Goes Back To College, ‘Hindi Para Sa Iba, Kundi Para Sa Sarili At Purpose Ko’

In a Facebook post, Marc Justin Morota introduced their new classmate, saying, “Meet our new classmate, she is 55 years old po. Welcome po, momshie Jocelyn Castro Herrera sa aming family BSBA HRM 2201.”

His post quickly garnered reactions and shares, with many people finding Jocelyn’s story inspiring.

Jocelyn–the mom who went back to school

In an interview with Smart Parenting, Jocelyn shared the reasons behind her decision to return to school. “Lately kasi parang nagkakameron ako ng depression. Para bang malungkot. Nagtatanong ako sa sarili ko, ‘Ano ang silbi ng buhay ko?’ Napagtapos ko na ang mga anak ko, nagtatanong ako ng purpose ng buhay ko,” she said through tears during a video call.

In July 2023, Jocelyn’s youngest daughter graduated from college with a degree in Medical Technology from Centro Escolar University. Her eldest son holds a degree in Computer Science and works at a large hotel in Pasay City. The second son graduated in Hotel & Restaurant Management and now works in Finland. The youngest son serves as a police officer, currently assigned to Camp Crame.

Reflecting on her life, Jocelyn realized, “Kahit na nahinto ako sa pag-aaral, hindi nawala sa akin yung kagustuhan ko matuto.”

35 years ago, she pursued BS Foreign Service at Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila. “Kaso ayun, na-in love ako. Nakilala ko ang asawa ko at nabuntis. Pumapasok pa ako sa klase ko noon habang buntis ako, hanggang anim na buwan ang tiyan ko. Gusto pa ako pag-aralin ng mga magulang ko kaso nahiya ako sa mga kapatid ko. Ako na ang nag-decide na tumigil sa pag-aaral.”

Afterward, Jocelyn and her husband moved to Batangas, where she dedicated herself to raising her children while her husband worked as a councilor. Despite being a stay-at-home mom, Jocelyn kept herself busy with various side hustles. “Medyo malalaki ang age gap ng mga anak namin, 4 to 5 years. Kaya nakakaya ko noon na talagang may sideline. May maliliit na pinagkakakitaan.

“Dahil taga-Pampanga ako, kumukuha ako noon sa Pampanga ng mga product na pwede kong ibenta dito sa Batangas, mga tocino, ganun,” Jocelyn shared. “Nung hindi pa uso yung ukay-ukay, sinisimulan ko na yun noon, mga 1989. Sumasakay lang ako ng bus galing Batangas papuntang Pampanga. Tiyagaan lang talaga.”

Besides her entrepreneurial efforts, she also helped manage a “munting beach resort” owned by her in-laws, other beach house rentals in Batangas, and even worked in real estate. “Hanggang may chance na may sideline at pagkakakitaan, pwedeng pasukan, go lang ng go. Hindi pwedeng aasa lang sa asawa.”

“Kahit ano pa man ang edad mo, hangga’t kaya mo at para sa pangarap, ipag-patuloy mo ito para makamit mo.”-Jocelyn Castro Herrera

Back-to-school after 35 years

Despite the inspiring nature of her journey, Jocelyn faced many internal doubts and fears. “Bago mag-simula ang klase, natatakot talaga ako at kinakabahan. Iniisip ko kung paano ako tatanggapin ng mga kaklase ko, syempre bata sila. Ibang generation na din. Baka isipin nila, ‘Ang tanda mo na,’” she shared.

Thankfully, her fears were unfounded. “Ramdam ko talaga ang respeto nila sa akin,” she says, grateful to her classmates and professor for treating her no differently despite the age gap. It was also one of her classmates who shared her story on social media, with her permission.

“Yung mga professor ko, halos lahat mas bata sa akin. Pero wala namang iba sa treatment, porque mas matanda ako. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat,” she emphasized.

A major worry for Jocelyn was keeping up academically after such a long hiatus. “Syempre, 35 years ako na yung huli kong school. Kahit na sabihin na medyo above average student naman ako noon, nakakakaba pa din kung kaya ko pa talagang mag-aral, mag-memorize.”

However, she decided to face her fears head-on. “Kung hindi ko naman susubukan, hindi ko malalaman,” she reasoned.

Jocelyn’s perseverance paid off when she aced her first quiz in Philosophy, a subject she had not prepared for, “Dahil nga medyo may edad na, hindi pa ko masyadong expert sa technology. Kaya nung nag-aannounce na may quiz kami sa Philosophy, hindi ko napansin. May kaklase ako na nag-message sakin, ‘Mommy may quiz tayo bukas,’ sabi niya. 10:30PM na yun. Yung quiz namin, 8:30AM.

“Nag-aral ako nung gabing yun, hanggang 1AM. Sabi ko pa sa prof ko pagpasok ko, pagpasensyahan ako kung mababa ang score ko sa quiz, at hindi ako masyadong nakapag-review. Sabi niya, sige lang, mag-take lang ako ng quiz,” she added.

“Alam mo, sa biyaya ng Panginoon, nung nag-check na kami ng quiz, perfect ang score ko. Talagang naiyak ako at nangilabot,” Jocelyn proudly shared. For her, this quiz was also a reminder that she can still do it, and a motivation to continue her studies.

A student, a Lola, and a hardworker

In addition to her studies, Jocelyn also takes care of her apo, “Yung isa kong apo, andito samin, simula 1 year old, kami ang nag-aalaga dahil hindi kami masyadong komportable sa mga yaya. 9 yrs old siya, Grade 4 sa school ko din. Minsan sabay kaming pumapasok sa school. Tinutulungan ko din siya sa mga assignments niya.”

She also keeps herself busy with her hustles, which includes being a caretaker for a beach house in Batangas. During our video call, Jocelyn gave us a tour of the relaxing view of the beach, her workplace for that day. She shared that she’s still an active real estate agent, “Sa 8 years kong real estate agent, hindi naman lumilipas ang isang taon na hindi ako nakakabenta.”

When asked how she juggles everything, “Hindi ko din alam kung paano, pero siguro dahil sanay na ko na ganitong madaming ginagawa, kaya hindi naman na mahirap,” she said.

Her story can be summed up with the inspiring note she shared in the viral Facebook post, “Kahit ano pa man ang edad mo, hangga’t kaya mo at para sa pangarap, ipag-patuloy mo ito para makamit mo.”

Jocelyn Castro Herrera is taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Human Resource Management at Batangas State University ARASOF Nasugbu Campus.

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