In 1837 Ferrel was twenty-two years old and by that time he had saved enough money from his wages as a school teacher to allow him to finance his studies at college.
Sa 1837 Ferrel ay dalawampu't-dalawang taon gulang at sa pamamagitan ng panahon na niya na-save ng sapat na pera mula sa kanyang sahod bilang isang guro upang payagan siya sa finance sa kanyang pag-aaral sa kolehiyo.