Learning is for life, not just for school
Photo: Fang-Wei Lin via Unsplash
September marks two new seasons. One belongs to nature, that’s the one that gives us berries and burnished leaves. The other belongs to nurture because it’s time for enrolment. At universities, colleges, further education establishments and evening schools, individuals across the land will sign on the dotted line and enter into a contract and new cycle of study. So, while the nights draw in, many minds will be expanding as new learners choose to develop their knowledge or further their skills.
Compared to less fortunate parts of the world, the UK offers rich and varied learning for all age groups and levels. Anyone wishing to try watercolours, explore classics, get to grips with mechanical engineering, anthropology or whatever, can usually find something. Once geographical location and transport may have limited our options but the online teaching boom had meant more choice and access than ever. The Open University pioneered distance learning in 1969 while the University of the Third Age (U3A) offer a nationwide network of opportunities for mature learners.
Alongside teaching professionally for most of my life, I’m a committed learner and my two most recent adventures have been enthralling. For my 52nd birthday, I was given swimming lessons by my husband. Now at 55 I can now swim fifty lengths in an hour which has improved the quality of my life and health immeasurably. Three years ago, I fulfilled a long held dream by enrolling on a Creative Writing degree at Birkbeck University. Currently preparing for my final year, this course has introduced me to new friends and mentors as well as guiding me towards bright writing horizons. It’s been like living in the same house forever and discovering rooms I didn’t know existed.
Many women whose lives are often governed by caring and/or earning duties usually find time is a scarce commodity. So, it’s not surprising many rediscover its delights once children become independent or during the golden years of retirement. Depending on age, social, personal and economic circumstances, women may have missed or prematurely left formal education to earn money or attend to others. Alternatively, later learning might be about fulfilling a dream, nurturing a passion, improving or challenging our capabilities.
There’s a great deal of research to support the idea older students make better learners. Often more focused, reflective and philosophical, they’re usually unafraid to ask questions – the bedrock of all learning – and confident in group discussions. Whether to learn a hobby, master a craft, develop academically, professionally or practically, a fresh cycle of learning: intellectual, physical, spiritual or creative, is a journey that can be embarked on at any age.
Nilgin Yusuf is a freelance writer. You can find her on Twitter @Nilgin and Instagram @nilgin_yusuf
Discussion (17 Comments)
Lyn Breakwell says:
I love that blog.
I totally agree, I love Autumn ( clothing a nd nature wise!)
I always feel the urge to learn in the autumn… Shame I didn’t feel that way at school!Deborah Richards says:
This is so poignant for me: I keep thinking of Lennon and Macartney, “when I’m 64”. I’m starting the major part of my art degree next week, a dream kept alive in all sorts of ways for more than 40 years, when my father forbade it.
My now blind husband gave me a promise for a wedding present (37 years ago tomorrow) “we will sort the Art education some how”. Friends are so determined for me, my grown sons, my acquired daughters all support despite their own trials. Starting every project as a beginner has helped me keep a mindset to learning open.
This article reflects my life not my age and I want to add: to everyone dreaming it’s so worth the effort. Yes it’s a privilege but very little comes without effort and a sprinkled dressing of grief. Thank you for a great article to start my year with!
Judi says:
Hello Deborah,
Good for you that you are pursuing your dream of an art degree. I did the same thing, after being a registered nurse when I really wanted to be an architect. I cannot fully express the satisfaction it has brought me, even now when I just retired at 74. Learning and returning to school as an adult opens your eyes in so many ways. Best of luck to you!Elizabeth says:
Hello Deborah
This really chimed with me having had a dictatorial father too! I enrolled in a foundation art course some years back and eventually gained a diploma in stitched and constructed textiles, I still carried the mental block which said I wasn’t good enough for a full degree, even when offered a place at a local art school, foolish. But the learning for my diploma has stayed with me and I still work away at my art, winning the odd award etc. Go for it girl and enjoy every moment, it’s hard work but oh so rewarding!
Madelaine cooper says:
A very uplifting piece for a Monday morning by Nilgin Yusuf. I studied for an MsC at the brilliant Birkbeck when I was nearing 50 and felt so fortunate and happy to be able to do this (our son was around 11 and I was still running a business so it was hard work too). One member of our cohort was 82 when she started the course and she became an inspiration and a joy to have in our classes, a sharp and smart voice in our discussions and so much fun when we broke for lunch or drinks at the end of the study days. Funnily enough she’d been a teacher for much of her professional life but she knew that we none of us ever stop learning. Whatever our age.
Wow! 82 – that’s so impressive. Birkbeck has a higher than average quota of mature students on account of it being an evening university. I was 52 when I started and it felt amazing to be at the start of something new.
Kate W says:
I’m also a teacher (physics) and two years ago I enrolled on an Open University Maths degree. Part-time study fits in really well with working as a private tutor (like many, at 55 I’ve had enough of the classroom) and I’m about to start my level 2 studies.
It’s a great way to keep the brain cells active and for many STEM degrees you even get a tuition loan for a second undergraduate degree! My brother-in-law (retired C of E priest and climate activist) is about to start an Environmental Science degree.
Allison says:
Perfect timing for me as I have recently enrolled in a ceramics course at Putney School of Art. I am so looking forward to it starting this month. I’m 51 and tried to do it a few years ago but life difficulties got in the way and I wasn’t able to attend. Now, nothing is going to stop me 🙂
Lauren Izenberg says:
Thank you for the article. At almost 60, I consider myself a lifelong learner and a curious person. Years ago, when I got my Bachelor’s degree, I raced through it as I was working full time to pay for it and not sure of what I really wanted to do with my career. Today I am fortunate to not have to work for pay and I have rediscovered the joy of learning. I have taken many classes at my local community college; this semester is my second Spanish class as becoming bilingual is a goal of mine. There will never be enough time for me to take all the classes that I want to!
A very timely article! We are blessed to live in a time when opportunities for learning are available to anyone, anywhere. I live in a fairly remote rural setting in western Canada, but over the past few years since retiring, I have taken online courses from colleges as far away as Texas and I’ve also been learning Spanish online.
It’s an amazing thing, how technology has progressed learning opportunities. I’ve done a few online courses and it incredible to be in a ‘room’ with people from almost every continent on the planet.
Goddessinthedetails says:
When I was growing up, my parents told me, ‘Your brother will go to university; you can go to secretarial college.’ I didn’t. I found a career I loved. But I always regretted not having a university education, so as a 60-year-old I embarked on a degree with the Open University. Six years later, I have just graduated with a First. When people talk about how boomers had it all, including free university level education, they conveniently forget how few of us were able to take advantage of that, particularly if female.
Anne-Marie Power says:
A wonderful article and so inspiring! I’ve just retired after a long, varied and rewarding career in tax law, and am pursuing my dreams by studying a full time floristry course, which I’m enjoying so much! It’s great to have the opportunity to learn new skills and and make new friends among my fellow students, who come from a range of backgrounds and a wide age groups. Plus, all my friends are getting gorgeous flowers for their birthdays! It’s giving me a renewed interest in nature and is inspiring my own garden. Here’s to keeping everything – our brains, bodies, relationships and everything we value – at its peak! Being constantly interested and engaged in life makes it worthwhile!
It’s great to hear your enthusiasm for a newly discovered passion. It sounds as though a whole new world has opened up for you which is exactly what education should do. Good luck’
Kate says:
It’s interesting that so many woman long for the arts knowledge our entire lives. Our fathers forbid it – that in itself is a subject worth study.
I’m 50 still working part time but have slowly been learning how to knit and sew and I take fun online painting classes here and there. I’d love to deeply study art , but can’t afford to go back to school as saving for retiring still helping young adult children financially . Plus my job working at my husbands medical practice leaves me no energy for such an endeavor. I feel like my life has never been free enough to explore everything I want to. My older fellow readers who commented inspire me. I hope one day and can really dive into what I want to learn.
But in the meantime, I am enrolled in an evening 1 night a week adult learner American Sign Language class starting next week. I had a niggling thought that it might be useful one day – I could interpret in schools or elsewhere during future retirement. I’m excited to learn something completely new – maybe meet new friends and open up my small world a bit .Here’s to life long learning!
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This is such a well timed piece for today I enrol to do an A level in Fine Art at the local College. I am retiring from my career, and looking forward to indulging in art and creativity as well as writing, which have always been my passions. I am lucky that I can retire early, having saved hard whilst working. I cannot wait for the next chapter of my life to begin!