I once failed my driver’s test. I was 19. I remember sitting in the car afterward, staring at the steering wheel like it had betrayed me. I told myself, “Maybe I’m just not good at this.” For a week, I thought about quitting.
Then I read about Józef Peruga — the Poland oldest student — and I felt a little embarrassed.
He’s in his mid-80s. And he just failed his final high school exams again.
And he’s going back.
The Basic Facts
Here’s what we know.
Józef Peruga lives in Kalisz, a city in central Poland. He sits for the Matura exam — Poland’s final high school test. Most students who take it are around 18 years old.
He’s more than 85.
He has failed the written part more than once. Reports say he has passed some oral sections. The written exams are harder for him, and eyesight issues after surgery may have made things tougher.
But he keeps signing up. Every year.
Local officials in Kalisz even gave him a special certificate to honor his effort. They praised his will to learn and his courage to sit in class with teens.
He didn’t ask for applause. He just showed up.
Who Is He, Really?
Peruga was born in 1939. His childhood was shaped by World War II. Life wasn’t simple. He didn’t get the same smooth school path many kids get now.
As an adult, he worked regular jobs:
- Bus driver
- Locksmith
- Factory worker
Years later, he went back to school as an adult learner. Around 16 years ago, he completed technical schooling. That wasn’t enough for him. He wanted to pass the full Matura exam.
So he tried.
And tried again.
Why the Matura Is a Big Deal
The Matura is not just a class test. It’s the final high school exam in Poland. You need it if you want to apply to many universities. It includes written exams in Polish, math, and a foreign language, plus oral tests.
It’s stressful. Even for teens.
I remember how nervous I was before my own final exams. I barely slept. Now imagine doing that at 85. Sitting in a room full of teenagers. Bright lights. Timed writing. Pages of questions.
That’s not easy.
The Internet Had a Lot to Say
When his story spread online, people reacted fast.
Some wrote:
“This is real grit.”
“He inspires me more than any self-help book.”
“If he can keep going at 86, I can finish my online course.”
Others weren’t so sure.
“At that age, why not just relax?”
“Maybe the exam should be adjusted.”
And then came the memes. The internet loves a story like this.
One joke said:
“When your classmate is 86 and still trying, and you’re 18 and tired already.”
Another read:
“I quit the gym after two weeks. This man won’t quit school after 5 years.”
I laughed. Then I thought about it.
I Keep Thinking About This
Why does he care so much?
He doesn’t need the diploma for a job. He’s not chasing a career move. He’s not building a resume.
I think it’s simple. He wants to finish what he started.
We all have something like that. A goal we left behind. A book half written. A class we dropped. A plan we paused.
Most of us tell ourselves, “Too late now.”
He doesn’t.
The Hard Part No One Talks About
Let’s be honest. Aging makes things harder.
Eyesight changes. Memory slows. Sitting for hours gets uncomfortable. Writing long essays under pressure? That’s tough at any age.
The written Matura exams require focus and stamina. Math problems. Essays. Language rules. Timed sections.
Even strong students fail.
But he keeps coming back.
That’s the part that hits me.
A Small Town Moment
The city of Kalisz didn’t mock him. They honored him. Officials gave him a certificate for his effort. They spoke about his will to learn.
That says something.
We often praise winners. We love success stories. But we don’t always celebrate people who try and fail and try again.
He hasn’t passed yet.
But he hasn’t stopped.
The Bigger Picture
Poland, like many countries in Europe, allows adults to sit for exams. Lifelong learning is encouraged. Schools aren’t just for kids.
Still, it’s rare to see someone in their mid-80s in a high school exam hall.
That’s why this story sticks.
It makes you pause.
If he can sit there at 85, what excuse do I have at 35? Or 45?
Fans and Critics
I’ve seen two camps online.
One side says he’s a hero. They see hope in his story.
The other side asks if it’s worth the stress. They wonder if the system should offer different paths for seniors.
Both sides have a point.
But at the end of the day, he’s choosing this. No one is forcing him.
And that matters.
I Think About My Own Quit Moments
There are things I gave up on too fast.
Learning guitar. Running a half marathon. Even finishing a long novel. I stopped when it got hard.
When I read about the Poland oldest student, I don’t see failure. I see stubborn hope.
And I respect that.
What Happens Now?
Reports say he plans to take the exam again.
There’s no special pass. No shortcut. Just another attempt.
He studies. He prepares. He shows up.
That’s it.
One Last Thought
I don’t know if Józef Peruga will ever pass the Matura. Maybe he will. Maybe he won’t.
But I know this: every year, he walks into that exam room with teenagers young enough to be his great-grandchildren.
He sits down. He writes his name on the paper.
Most people stop long before 80.
He didn’t.
And honestly? That alone says more than any diploma ever could.
