Have you been out of school for years and now you’re wondering if it’s too late to chase your dreams? Maybe you’ve been a stay-at-home mom for years, raising your children and keeping the home afloat. Or perhaps you’ve been working at a job for some years and feel like you’ve hit a ceiling with your current qualifications. You’ve thought about returning to school, maybe even applying for a scholarship abroad, but then that inner voice creeps in: “Am I still good enough?”
If that sounds familiar, this post is for you.
Let’s talk about your fears, your goals, and—most importantly—your comeback story you should be writing.
The Quiet Doubts That Hold You Back From A Fulfilling Career
You scroll past scholarship announcements on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc. You see people announcing their acceptance into prestigious universities or new jobs. Some are even younger than you. Some are fresh graduates. And you think:
“They probably had straight A’s.”
“They don’t have a family to take care of.”
“It’s too late for me.”
“Their parents are rich and have the network.”
But here’s what they don’t post:
The doubt. The fear. The uncertainty. The multiple rejections. The long nights. The courage it took to hit “submit.”
The same doubts and fear you have now, those who eventually win experienced the same.
They were scared too—But they applied anyway.
Meet Kwame: From Health Officer to Global Scholar to International Career
Kwame was 30, a respected health officer in Ghana. He had worked with an NGO for over 10 years. Smart, experienced, but stuck. He wanted to pursue a Master’s in Public Health abroad, but it had been ages since he wrote an academic essay or updated his CV and just the thought of competing globally terrified him.
He would type a few lines on his personal statement and stop. Then delete it. Then rewrite. Then give up. He thought about his kids, his job, his colleagues. He thought, “Am I being selfish for wanting more?”
The stigma was real—”Isn’t he too old for this?” “Why would a father leave everything to study again?”
But Kwame tried to think about the big picture. This could be a life-changing opportunity for him and his family.
He sought help crafting his personal statement, and learned how to position his years of experience as a strength. Less than a year later, he was awarded a full-ride scholarship to a top European university to study biostatistics.
Today, he works with an international NGO, helping to shape health policy in West Africa. And he’s still a great dad. His kids are enrolled in better schools.
His family had the opportunity to spend several months with him in Europe and he always visited them every summer.
I See You Because I Was You
I was once out of the academic loop too for 2 years. I didn’t have a job during that time. I started my own consulting practice I worked with students and even worked on a few national projects as a contractor. I had so many plans for my future and I believed the way to achieve them was to further my education and in better institutions.
I had professional experience but no idea how to package it. I didn’t know how to explain the education gap. I thought, “I’ve been away from school too long. Who’s going to pick me?”
But when I reframed my story and treated my experience as evidence of translating my academic competence to real world applications—not as a liability—everything changed. It turns out this is one of the strongest characteristics influential institutions are looking for in their candidates.
Now, I help people like you do the same.
And let me tell you: Your story isn’t broken, ordinary, or with nothing interesting. It’s powerful. You just need help telling it right.
Common Stigmas That Sabotage Dreams and Limit Career Growth
Let’s be honest about the things people whisper—or worse, the things we tell ourselves:
“I’m too old to study.”
“I’ve forgotten everything I learned in school.”
“They only pick people in their 20s.”
“I don’t have time; I have kids and responsibilities.”
“If I apply and get rejected, I’ll feel like a failure.”
You’re not alone in feeling this way. These thoughts keep countless capable, brilliant people from ever applying. And that’s the real tragedy—not the rejection, but the never trying.
You don’t believe you have a unique set of strengths and experiences that can be properly organized and orchestrated to give you access to opportunities that will take you to the next level.
You need to bring it out..
If You Don’t Fix It Now…
Here’s the truth that might sting a little:
If you don’t take action, things will stay the same. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 years will pass regardless.
You’ll keep scrolling and watching others move ahead.
You’ll keep stagnating in that position with no prospects in sight when you’re capable of so much more.
In 3 years, you’ll wish you had started today.
Time is going to pass anyway. So the real question is: What will you do with it?
Step-by-Step: How to Get Back on Track and Even Win Scholarships
You don’t need to figure it all out today. Here is a summary of the deep exercises I use in my consulting sessions, you can use it today to help you move forward.
1. Clarify Your Why, Create a Compass, and Generate Ideas.
Ask yourself: Why do I want to go back to school? What would this change do for my life, my family, my career? What are the things I care most about. What work do I do effortlessly. I recommend you use a tool like mind map to put this on paper.
2. Strategic Networking.
After your ideation step, network with people in the fields you are seeking, scholarship alumni, etc. Make use of tools like LinkedIn and Twitter. Here I help people approach the right individuals get responses and extend their network.
3. Choose the Right Program and go for it.
Find opportunities online and through your network. Don’t just apply to any school. Look for programs that value maturity, experience, and leadership. Those for which you are a good fit. Many scholarships are designed for mid-career professionals.
4. Reframe Your Story
You’re not just someone who “took a break from school.” You’re someone who grew through real-life experience. That’s gold in your application—if you know how to write about it. Reflect and put all of these on paper.
5. Get Expert Support
If you feel overwhelmed and don’t want to do this alone, you can do it with friends that share similar aspirations. You can also consult with me or participate in my mentorship program that walks you through all the steps above inscholarship research, personal statements, CV reviews, and interview prep. Contact me with a note if interested.
6. Build a Strong Application Package Tailored to Opportunities that Align With Your Career Aspirations.
This includes:
- A personal statement that tells your unique story
- A polished, professional CV
- Strong recommendation letters
- A scholarship strategy that fits your goals and timeline
- A research proposal if you are considering research programs
You’re Not the First, and You Won’t Be the Last
Here are others who walked the same path:
Fatima, a 27-year-old environmental engineer, balanced work and scholarship prep and won a fully-funded spot in a Canadian university.
Mercy, a high school teacher who was rejected three times but is now applying confidently to at least 2 opportunities weekly. She is confident that by the end of the year she will get that email of congratulations.
Kwame, as you already know, is thriving on the international stage—all because he refused to stay stuck.
What To Do Next
You’ve waited long enough. The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is now.
🔹Book a free discovery call to see how we can help you restart your academic dreams. Send me an email or message on social media.
🔹Join our mentorship program: Get personalized help to create your strongest application yet. Let’s turn your career pause into a powerful pivot.
Final Words: Rewrite the Story
This is your story, not society’s.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing. Willing to start, to learn, to rise.
Don’t let fear write your story. Rewrite it with strategy, purpose, and courage.
It’s your turn now.
To Your Success and Beyond
Dr. BM Enuh