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Taking classes keeps your mind sharp, helps you network and may even be free, notes Rodney Brooks, writes and speaks about retirement and personal finance issues.
In the 10 years that Jacob
Cohen, 70, has been retired from teaching, he has taken more than 100
courses at the University of North Carolina—Asheville, averaging three
or four a semester. One of his favorite classes was about the history of
life on earth, taught by a retired biology professor. He's also taken
classes on aging, science and history.
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| Retirees are free to choose diverse topics of study that suit their interests. Photo: Getty Images |
Cohen finds taking classes in retirement to be a challenging way to spend his time. "I always find six or eight (classes) that pique my interest," Cohen says. "I end up with three or four. I like how I feel when I'm being mentally stimulated."
Cohen lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where he can take advantage of the classes for those age 55 or older
at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville. The UNC
Asheville Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers some 350 non-credit
classes a year for seniors. With a $25 membership fee, the fall and
spring semesters are eight weeks and cost $115. The winter and summer
semesters are six weeks and cost less, says Catherine Frank, executive
director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville.
Subjects range from hands-on arts and crafts to movement and fitness to
intellectually challenging current affairs, political science,
literature and science classes. Almost all the instructors are
volunteers, and the program usually teaches 1,000 students a year, Frank
says. The average age is 68, but students as old as 90 take the
classes.
Seniors who stay active mentally may be able to help keep their mind sharp longer. "When it comes to brain power, much like your muscles, the 'use it or lose it' concept applies," says Dana Anspach, CEO and founder of Sensible Money in Scottsdale, Arizona. "Retirees who engage in life-long learning keep their brain engaged by challenging themselves to learn new skills. It's important to find things you're curious about and dive in. And in retirement, you have the time to do it."...
Psychiatrist and consumer health expert Janet Taylor says people who continue to learn in retirement are among the most content and happy. "Those who are lifelong learners realize that just because you are retired or over a certain age doesn't mean you don't want to continue to learn and grow," Taylor says. "Those that are active, read books, go on field trips or always discovering seem to be happy in retirement."
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Source: U.S. News & World Report
