Never Stop Learning
Never Stop Learning
I’m sure you’ve heard people say that they are too old to go back to school. These people sometimes have the idea that they’re not only too old for school, but too old for learning. That’s just not true! We’re never too old for school and we’re never too old to learn.
A 93 year-young woman was recently in the news for finally graduating from college. She never gave up on her dream of continuing education and eventually succeeded in her goal, even though it took almost eighty years to do it. It’s so easy to admire a desire to learn, but it’s even more impressive when someone has the drive to make learning a priority in their life.
Learning should not stop after high school or college. Striving to learn new things keeps your brain active and keeps you interested in what’s going on around you. People who just stop where they are become stagnate and stale.
Our brains don’t stop having the capacity to learn. Most often, we just get tired of trying to learn and stop doing it. Other times, we get stuck in a pattern and learning goes by the wayside. The truth is that if you make an effort to learn at least one new thing every day you’ll be a more interesting individual and your mind will be more engaged and active.
There are many ways to pursue learning. Reading is an excellent way to learn about something you may have been always interested in but never took the time to get into. Buy a book on the subject. Try the library if you’re looking to just dip your toe into the subject. Do research on the internet on your subject and then decide how to proceed.
If reading is the first step, the next step may be to take a class. Continuing education is offered in many places. Local community colleges, universities, art or business centers, museums, and churches often offer many types of classes. Again, the internet is a great place to do the research to find where you might find the class you’re looking for.
Another approach may be to join a group centered around your interest. The learning process won’t be a formal one, but you’ll have the opportunity to network with others who have interests that are similar to you. Learning from others is a great way to tap into the expertise of someone who is further along in the journey. Many times, this setting is much easier to learn in that a typical classroom. These different groups meet in many settings and are now found all over the country.
If casual learning isn’t what you’re looking for – you’re considering pursuing a degree – then don’t shy away from the opportunity. Don’t talk yourself out of it before you check it out. If you’re older and have responsibilities like a family and a job, it’s a big decision to make. The decision does deserve a complete analysis, though.
Make sure you look at all options when you’re deciding on what program or school might work for you. Colleges have many flexible degree options these days – from online courses to evening and weekend classes. So, don’t make assumptions about what might be available to you – find out for sure and see if a program you like can work for you.
So whether you’re considering some continuing education to learn or perfect a hobby or pursuing a degree – it’s a great decision to keep on learning!
