At 50, most people are thinking about retirement, career stability, or family life. I, on the other hand, moved to a new country and started a PhD. Was it scary? Yes. Has it been worth it? Absolutely!

If someone had told me years ago that I would be starting a PhD in my 50s, I might have laughed. Life was already full with personal, family and career responsibilities, but something inside me wasn’t done learning.

For over two decades, I dedicated myself to teaching, literacy advocacy, and mentoring young minds. I worked in some of Nigeria’s most prestigious schools and trained teachers. I co-founded the Jordan Hill Creative Writing & Reading Workshop in Nigeria, a centre dedicated to helping children become book lovers and published authors.

Under this initiative, I have:
✔ Published two children’s books and helped over 30 young writers publish their own books.
✔ Mentored young authors whose works have appeared in national media, newspapers, and TV interviews.
✔ Led literacy workshops & teacher training to improve English education in Nigeria.

But something was missing…

On paper, I had done enough. But something was missing. I had spent years helping others grow, but I felt a deep longing to challenge myself academically. The desire to contribute not just as an educator but as a researcher kept growing. And so, against all conventional timelines, I took a leap. I became a Black international PhD scholar beyond 50!

Why I Started This Blog

When I started my PhD, I looked for stories from people like me: mature, Black, international, balancing family, life and research. I didn’t find many. So, I decided to create what I wished existed: a blog where I share my experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. Because most narratives about PhD life focus on young scholars just beginning their careers.

But what about those of us who return to academia with years of experience, full lives, and families to care for? How do you adjust to academia after years outside school? What about the imposter syndrome that creeps in when you sit in a room full of younger scholars? What about the pressure of managing research while being a parent, a partner, and a person still trying to
grow?

This blog is my answer to those questions and I am quite excited starting this February 2025. It is a space where I share:

• The raw and real experience of pursuing a PhD beyond 50; the triumphs, the struggles, the unexpected joys, and the ongoing journey toward a destination that often feels unknown, and, at times, frighteningly lonely.
• How I balance research with family and self-growth in a way that is both challenging and fulfilling.
• Lessons I’ve learned about academia, time management, resilience, and a whole lot of other stuff.
• Encouragement for others considering a PhD later in life, because it is never too late to reach for knowledge.

Balancing Academia & Family Life

I am not just a PhD student. I am also a wife, a mother of three, and a lifelong learner. Every day, I juggle the weight of research deadlines with the realities of home life. Some days, I feel the excitement of academic discovery; other days, I wonder if I am crazy for doing this at all.

I know what it is like to wake up early for a literature review but still be present for your child’s school activities. I understand the challenge of balancing the demands of both academia and home life. This blog is about that balance, including the moments of doubt, the strategies that help, and the belief that it is possible to pursue intellectual passion without sacrificing the things that matter most.

Who is This Blog For?

This space is for anyone who:

• is a mature student getting into academia after years away.
• is an international student adjusting to a new living and academic culture.
• is balancing research with family, career shifts, or personal commitments.
• simply believes that learning has no expiration date and wants lifelong education.

If you are on a similar journey, know this, you are not alone!

Beyond the PhD: My Commitment to Learning & Growth

My journey has always been about education, and not just for myself, but for others. As a literacy advocate and educator, I have spent years empowering students, parents, and teachers to celebrate learning at all stages of life. In 2023, I published Nurturing an Asset-Rich Child: Unlocking the Boundless Potential of Your Child, reinforcing my belief that education is a lifelong journey, both for children and adults. This same belief led me to pursue a PhD beyond 50, because learning never truly ends.

Let’s Learn Together

If you are a PhD student, a mature learner, or simply someone who believes that education is a lifelong journey, I would love to connect with you. Share your thoughts, tell me about your experiences, or simply follow along as I walk this path.

Because learning has no expiration date.

Only new beginnings.

^{_{PhD Beyond 50 is authored by Adeola Eze, a Black international PhD scholar at Coventry University who began her doctoral journey after 50.
With over 27 years of experience in education and literacy advocacy, she shares insights on balancing research, life, and personal growth.
New posts are published on the first Tuesday of each month.}}

_{^{Subscribe by email below.
Visit the About page to find out more about me.
Connect with Adeola on social media platforms:
LinkedIn: Adeola Eze
X (formerly Twitter): @AdeolaEze
Bluesky: Adeola Eze}}

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