The Midlife Syllabus: Why I’m Back in University at 40+

 The Midlife Syllabus: Why I’m Heading Back to Concordia in My 40s

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I’ve found that the "old dog" actually has a better attention span, a deeper well of discipline, and a significantly better coffee habit than the puppies. As we moved into 2026, I made a firm resolution: this would be the year of radical preparation. My goal isn't just to maintain my current career; it is to lay the groundwork to launch my own business. I knew that to move from an employee mindset to a founder mindset, I needed to update my internal software. Recently, I did something that felt both exhilarating and a little terrifying: I officially returned to university. Last Monday, I logged on for my very first online class at Concordia University in Montreal. Walking back into the world of higher education in my 40s is a completely different experience than it was in my 20s or even my 30s. Back then, I was checking boxes. Today, I’m building a kingdom.

To understand why I’m sitting in front of my laptop for online lectures today, you have to understand the decade that led me here. I spent six incredible, demanding years as a stay-at-home mom. While that role is often sidelined in professional conversations, it was where I learned the true meaning of "fragmented" productivity. When you are managing a household, you don't have the luxury of eight-hour blocks of uninterrupted time. You learn to work in the gaps—the twenty minutes while the dinner is in the oven, or the hour before the house wakes up. When I finally decided to re-enter the workforce, I started in a bakery, re-learning what it felt like to manage the flow of a business from the ground up. But as much as I loved the hum of the bakery, my education—a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Finance that I pursued with grit in my 30s—was calling me back. I knew I belonged in the world of financial accounting, but stepping back into that arena in a new country like Canada presented a challenge I hadn't fully anticipated.

The transition from the financial landscape of Mexico to the regulatory environment of Canada was a massive culture shock. Even though the core principles of accounting are universal, the tax codes, reporting standards, and software expectations felt like a mountain I had to climb. I realized that if I wanted to launch my own business in this market, I couldn't rely on twenty-year-old data or legacy systems. Currently, I am in the middle of a massive double learning curve: while I am studying the theory at Concordia, I am also learning Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central on the job. Navigating a powerful ERP system like Business Central requires a high level of technical precision. I realized that to be truly "Capable," I needed to immerse myself in both the Canadian academic system and modern financial technology.

This realization led me to my "Bridge Strategy." Before starting at Concordia, I committed to completing a series of short, high-impact courses to build my confidence. So far in 2026, I have already checked four courses off my list. These weren't massive, year-long commitments; they were focused, 3-hour deep dives that provided a solid foundation for my current university workload. I turned to Alison.com to master the essentials of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable, which acted as the perfect "pre-game" for my Concordia lectures. Beyond the numbers, I’ve been exploring the human side of business, taking courses in Disruptive Thinking and Emotional Intelligence (EQ). In the modern business world, being good with spreadsheets is the baseline, but being able to think disruptively and lead with empathy is what actually builds a brand.

One of my proudest moments so far this year was completing a course called "Elements of AI." In a world where artificial intelligence is moving from a buzzword to a fundamental business tool, I refused to be left behind. Finishing that course and finally being able to post that certification link to my LinkedIn profile was incredibly exciting. It was a signal to myself and the world that I am not just participating in the current economy—I am preparing for the future one. This layering of education—using free tools like Alison to bridge the gap toward high-level institutions like Concordia—is a strategy I believe every midlife professional should adopt. It turns a terrifying leap into a series of manageable, caffeinated steps.

The most profound difference between being a student in your 20s versus your 40s is the shift from pressure to curiosity. When I was finishing my Bachelor's and even pushing through my Master’s in my 30s, there was an underlying pressure to "become someone." I felt an immense weight to complete my degrees just to prove I was a "valid" professional. Today, that ego-driven pressure has evaporated. I’m at Concordia because I genuinely want to understand how the global economy works right now. There is a specific kind of quiet confidence that comes from being the "mature student" who is there by choice, not by requirement. I find that I am a much better student now because I am not just memorizing theories for an exam; I am connecting them to the real-world spreadsheets and the Business Central environment I manage every single day. I am no longer learning to get a job; I am learning to master my future business.

Managing this academic load alongside a full-time, fragmented work schedule requires a level of organization that my younger self wouldn't have recognized. My days start at 6:30 AM, and between my professional responsibilities and my family life, there is very little room for "deep work" during the week. Because the class is online, I have the flexibility to fit it in, but I’ve had to accept that I cannot be a star student on a Tuesday afternoon when I’m knee-deep in invoices. Instead, I’ve leaned into the "Weekend Audit." This past Saturday was dedicated to redoing the complex problems from my first lecture and ensuring I actually grasped the material. It all culminated yesterday, Sunday, when I officially submitted my first assignment. Hitting "send" on that document felt like a massive victory—a tangible proof that I can still navigate the rigours of academia while balancing a complex life and a demanding career.

As I look ahead to the rest of this semester, I know there will be more late Sunday nights and more Saturday Audits. There will be moments where Business Central feels like a puzzle I can't solve, and moments where the academic theory feels miles away from the practical reality of my desk. But I also know that I am finally aligned with my purpose. Whether you choose to enroll in a university like Concordia, master a new system like Business Central, or start smaller with a certification on a platform like Alison, the act of learning is the ultimate act of self-respect. It is a declaration that you are not finished yet and that your experience is a foundation, not a ceiling. The curiosity you possess in your 40s is your greatest competitive advantage; use it to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Start Your Own Refresh Today

You don’t have to wait for a university semester to start reclaiming your professional confidence. If you feel that "gap" in your knowledge, I highly recommend starting exactly where I did: with Alison. It was my bridge to Concordia, providing me with the foundational certificates I needed to feel at home in a high-level accounting environment. Whether you want to master new financial software, dive into AI, or brush up on Emotional Intelligence, you can start for free today. The time will pass anyway—you might as well spend it becoming a more capable version of yourself.

Explore Free Certificate Courses on Alison and Start Your Refresh Here:
https://alison.com/certificate-courses

No matter how fragmented your schedule or how long you’ve been away from the classroom, stay curious and stay caffeinated. You are more than capable of handling the next chapter.

Love,

Fabi

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