Her first day of class was both thrilling and intimidating. “Most of my classmates are younger than my grandchildren,” Eleanor admitted. « I was nervous they’d think I didn’t belong. »
But the welcome she received proved those worries unfounded. Fellow students and professors alike admired her determination and were quick to offer help. Eleanor, in turn, brought a lifetime of patience, problem-solving, and perspective to group projects.
“She’s an inspiration,” says Professor Daniel Kwan, who teaches Eleanor’s introductory programming class. « Her questions often spark discussions the younger students hadn’t considered. »
Challenges and Rewards
Learning to code hasn’t been without challenges. “At first, I was overwhelmed by all the jargon — variables, functions, loops,” Eleanor says. « But then I reminded myself how many times I’d started from scratch in life. This was no different. »
She dedicates a few hours each day to studying, balancing it with walks, time with family, and her lifelong love of painting. Progress is slow but steady, and Eleanor recently completed her first project: a simple app that organizes her recipes.
A Message to Others
Eleanor hopes her story encourages others to pursue their passions, no matter their age.
“It’s easy to think it’s too late, that you’ve missed your chance,” she says. « But curiosity doesn’t expire. As long as you’re breathing, you can be learning. »
Looking ahead, Eleanor has no plans to stop. She dreams of building an app to help fellow seniors navigate technology more easily.
“I used to think coding was for the young,” she smiles. “Now I know — it’s for the curious.”
