Pictured was Chexty2600, whose real name is Christopher, donning a colorful button-down shirt with a baseball cap and glasses. He held up a chalkboard that read, “Christopher’s first day of Community College.” The board noted that he is 36 years old and wants to be a good dad when he grows up.

Christopher’s post garnered over 2.5K comments, and fellow Redditors were inspired. Many spoke about how older students tend to thrive upon returning to school, while they return with more experience and insight than college-age students.

“I’m a lecturer at a community college, and I’ve had several students aged 30+ over the years. Almost all of them got an A in my class, because they have a level of maturity and life experience that enables them to handle many of the challenges of college better than the 18-22 crowd,” one user shared.

“My mom went back to a 4-year college to finish her bachelor’s degree when she was 40 or so. She absolutely aced it,” one proud Redditor chimed in.

Another noted how much they enjoyed getting a different perspective from the more experienced students. “When I was in community college I loved being in class/group projects with students who were 30+, they just bring so much more to the table experience-wise and definitely were so much better to work with than kids my own age,” they revealed.

Someone said they were returning to school after a few years off, and were jealous of how well the older students performed in their classes. “Currently 24 and back in community college after a 6 year break and I’m envious of the older people in my class,” they admitted. “They’re so much more fluid in their sentences and responses. They very clearly understand and retain things better than myself and younger students.”

Overall, one Redditor summed it up perfectly: “It’s never too late to get a degree and get a job doing what you enjoy.”

Christopher said he was floored by all the positive comments he got about returning to school and that he was thrilled he could make a difference. “So all I can say is wow. If I’ve inspired even one person to make the decision to go back to school because I can die knowing I made a difference.”

He also encouraged the Reddit community to get a library card. “If I don’t inspire you to go back to school can I at least talk you into a library card. You’re missing out on an incredible resource if you don’t. They have apps! For free!”