100% this. My mother has been in college / school since I can remember, with brief periods of work in between. She is in her 50's now, has several degrees, but

100% this. My mother has been in college / school since I can remember, with brief periods of work in between. She is in her 50's now, has several degrees, but more to learn and master so she keeps on going. She is one of the few adults who has both the time, determination and opportunity to learn new subjects, study, do homework, put hours upon hours of time into learning - and consistently makes all A's. So basically, I see the requirements of learning in later life as hard work, time, determination and opportunity - not brain plasticity.