Life Long Learning Is a Rewarding Journey

We have been getting a lot of inquiries about learning opportunities in retirement. Whether you're looking to learn for fun, develop a new skill, or keep your brain active, there's something out there for you. Learning keeps your mind sharp and helps delay cognitive decline.  You build confidence as you learn new skills. Pursing learning can also open doors to social groups and forums. You can explore new interests or revisit old passions. Importantly, learning encourages a sense of purpose and structure. There are a tremendous number of learning opportunities, and you can do them all online. 

Coursera: Courses from universities like Yale, Stanford, and the University of London. Tons of free options (you only pay if you want a certificate).  Topics range from psychology and history to tech and personal development.

edX: Like Coursera — courses from MIT, Harvard, and other top schools. edX offers “micro degrees” and programs tailored for older learners too. You can audit most courses for free.

Udemy: Offers courses that focus on practical skills. There is a one-time payment per course (often under $20 on sale).  Great for learning hobbies: photography, painting, music, writing, coding, etc.

Great Courses Plus / Wondrium: Think of it as Netflix for learning. Lectures by professors, but more digestible and story driven. Topics include history, religion, science, philosophy, wellness — ideal for curious minds.

MasterClass: Celebrity-led classes. Great production value and inspiring content. Where entertainment meets education.

Khan Academy: 100% free. Originally for school-age learners, but great for brushing up on math, economics, and science at your own pace.

Senior Planet / OATS (Older Adults Technology Services): Designed specifically for older adults.  Offers tech literacy, wellness classes, and training to use the internet and apps.

YouTube: Put in a topic and out will pop dozens of videos on the subject.

Remember, your local library is a great resource. If you haven't been in a while, visit and speak with the staff. We have always found them helpful.  

Many libraries offer a lot more than just books: films, magazines, lectures, authors nights, even live music, etc. Spending time in a library and investigating the different sections can lead you to new interests. 

Many readers have told us that just sliding a book out of a shelf and thumbing through it set them on a rewarding journey with a whole new interest.

The sooner you start the sooner you’ll learn! Try a topic you're interested in.  If you get bored, discard it and try something else.  Eventually you will get traction on an interest that can engage you for the rest of your life.  

It’s a great way to start a REWIRING journey.