RTC's Fall 2017 Communicator

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FALL 2017 7
Lots of Benefits
to Lifelong Learning
Education is important for people of
any age, but especially for seniors.
Learning can help you live more fully
and comfortably in these ways:
• Personal satisfaction. As a senior,
you likely have more time to learn,
and can add to your skills and ac-
complishments by taking a single
class or pursuing a degree.
• Memory improvement. Taking
part in educational opportunities
helps you activate your mind to
stay sharp and focused.
• Social engagement. Education in-
volves a social component that can
benefit you. Just as in your college
years, classes can be a great place
to make friends.
• Physical fitness. How about taking
a hiking or swimming class? These
types of physical activities are great
for staying healthy.
• Self-expression. Learning a
creative skill you’ve always wanted
to explore can be rewarding and
fulfilling. Consider learning how to
play the piano, paint, write, sing, or
dance.
• Self-confidence. Perhaps you made
it into your senior years without fin-
ishing a college degree. Now’s your
chance to graduate and validate
your abilities.
Who knows? Learning may be the
fountain of youth. If not, it’s still fun to
jump in and make a splash.
As we age, we develop many skills that make us great students and
improve our ability to learn—patience, time to spare, and not
being distracted as much by careers or kids. Check out the sites
below to start the next phase of your educational journey.
Adding Knowledge toWisdom:
Learning Later in Life
Education for Senior Citizens
One of the first steps in thinking about education during your senior years is finding
out where you can go. This site provides a listing of opportunities in each state and
notes that some states offer tuition waivers and discounts based on age and number
of credits.
Free Online Courses
Senior Planet has compiled a list of some of the most interesting online courses for
seniors. They include topics such as art, finance, design, and psychology. Not challenging
enough? How about “String Theory, Black Holes and the Fundamental Laws of Nature”
from Harvard University?
AARP
Of course, the organization devoted to seniors has something to say about seniors and
education. Search the site for “higher education,” and you’ll find a number of articles
devoted to learning in later years. Information includes discussion of the costs, the
benefits, and the meaning of “third stage education.”
OEDb
This site enables learners to explore over 10,000
free online classes in the arts, business, education,
math, science, and more. Class materials come
from well-known institutions like the University
of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University.
OEDb encourages visitors to prepare for new
careers or simply learn something new.