Toh Hong Keng spent a long career in technology sales. After decades of work, the Malaysian executive finally retired in 2019.
But not for long.
Soon after retirement, Toh entered medical school. After five years of study, he graduated in July, becoming one of the world’s oldest people to complete such studies, according to a CNN report.
Toh’s motivation for becoming a doctor was straightforward. He told CNN:
“The only reason why I decided to study medicine was because I wanted something useful to do. I’ve done different courses. I’ve done economics, I’ve done chemistry, I’ve done electronic engineering — but I don’t want to do that again.”
Toh’s story also offers the following important lessons for other retirees contemplating a second act during their golden years.
Age can present challenges
Toh acknowledges that when he entered medical school at 65, it quickly became apparent that “my memory, eyesight, hearing and body are not as good as when I was younger.”
That means his time in medical school “wasn’t always easy,” he says. But, rather than be cowed by those realities, Toh accepted them and persevered.
Things might not go as smoothly as you hope
In Toh’s third year, he failed a pediatrics exam and was held back. During hospital placements, he sometimes had to complete shifts that lasted 30 hours.
Overcoming such challenges is difficult at any age, but perhaps even more so for someone approaching septuagenarian status. Before you embark on a new adventure, understand that the sailing won’t always be smooth.
Support of family and friends can be invaluable
Toh admits there were times when he wondered if it was all worth it. He remembers saying to himself, “‘Actually, why do I have to do this? Maybe I should give up.’”
But family and classmates encouraged him to continue. When his spirits flagged, his classmates reminded him that giving up would equate to “sayang.” That is a Tagalog phrase that roughly means “it would be a shame not to see it through.”
Determination is key
From the moment Toh decided to enroll in medical school, obstacles presented themselves. At first, he had trouble simply finding a medical school that would accept someone his age.
In fact, he had to move from his home in Hong Kong — where he now lives — to a small apartment in the Philippines just to have the opportunity to study.
But whenever difficulties arose, he did what was necessary to work through them and achieve his goal.
Dr. Marvi Dulnuan-Niog, dean of the medical school where Toh studied, noted that Toh had “a very strong resolve.”
Anything is possible if you will work for it
Graduating from medical school at age 70 might sound like an impossible dream. But Toh says the formula for his success was simple: “Studying medicine is intensive and extensive, but it’s not that hard, it’s just hard work.”
Retirees who pursue a second act must be willing to bring the same energy to the project that they applied to their careers when they were younger.
