‘’Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80’’, said Mr. Henry Ford. Learning is the spice of life and you’re never really done with it. Well, you’re retired now and you have all the time in the world to learn the new skills you’ve always wanted! And you should as various classes are now more accessible than ever!
What Are the Benefits of Senior Education?
There are many advantages to learning as a senior! Here are some of the biggest ones.
- You get to follow your passion – When you were younger and employed, all the learning you got to do was likely associated with your career. Now you can finally learn about something you’re passionate about, like French!
- You keep your mind sharp – As we age, we start forgetting things and our minds slow down. If you keep your mind stimulated, you are less likely to experience cognitive issues or will experience them to a lesser degree.
- You get to socialize and make new friends – Not only will you enjoy and improve your overall health but you’ll also get a chance to meet new people and make friends! Loneliness is another major problem for seniors and taking classes is a good way to fight it.
#1 Free Online Classes for Seniors
As we said, learning has never been easier or more accessible! There are even free online classes for senior citizens where you can choose what you want to learn. You can type ‘‘free online class’’ in the Google search engine and see what pops up and there will be plenty!
Many colleges like Harvard and Yale offer free online classes taught by the same professors that teach on campus. You can attend for free, you just need to pay for a certificate in case you want it. Sites like Coursera, Udemy, and edX also offer a variety of free courses as well as paid ones.
#2 Learn Computer Skills
If you’re too “old school” for online classes, it’s time to polish those computer skills! You’ll be amazed at all the useful and fun stuff you can find online, so learn how to do it. There are also plenty of computer classes online on sites like Techboomers and Teach an Old Dog New Tricks. You could also ask your kids or grandkids to give you a hand.
#3 Enrol a Cooking Class
Have you always wanted to know how to make all these different types of food? Well, now you have the time for it. Find a cooking class near your home and join it. You’ll get a chance to taste various kinds of dishes from all over the world and you’ll learn to make them, too! You can then impress your family and guests with your cooking skills!
There are also different cooking classes available online or Youtube tutorials and recipes you can try out if you are unable to attend classes at a cooking school. Learning new recipes will help with your cognitive skills and making home cooked meals will help your overall health.
#4 Check Out Some Art Classes
Art classes are very therapeutic and relaxing in addition to helping reduce mild cognitive impairment. Besides that, you’ll get to learn a new skill and make some wonderful things! And who knows, maybe you’ll get great at it and have a chance to start a new career! How exciting would that be?
Either way, you’ll get a chance to meet new people and have something to do that day which will help you feel better and less lonely. However, if that’s not your thing and you’d prefer to enjoy art classes alone, you can check out Skillshare. They’ve got great online classes available for free and with subscriptions.
#5 Physical Activity Classes
There are so many enjoyable and beneficial physical activities you can take part in. Yoga is great for your mind and body. It helps your body stay in shape and it’s such a relaxing and therapeutic activity. Zumba or other dance classes will help you feel young again! Swimming and rock climbing classes are extremely fun and great for our bodily muscles.
Put Yourself Out There and Enjoy!
Don’t be afraid to take on a new challenge in your life! You will find that many great things could come out of it. If you want, you can take it easy with online classes first or you can take your friend with you. Learning is a true blessing in life and these classes will improve both your physical and mental health. So, choose the best one for you and give it a go!
