Read, write, listen, talk–put them together and they add up to thinking.
Line of Female Students Throwing Their Mortar Boards in the Air at Graduation
1. Attend class. Not only are students in their 50s and 60s becoming more common in college classrooms these days, but there are also a range of classes suited specifically for them.
Colleges, art galleries and museums also frequently hold free lectures that can expand your mind. And, as Next Avenue has written, there are growing numbers of free online classes — including MOOCs (Massively Open Online Courses).
Learning a language is another great way to educate yourself in midlife. Planning a trip abroad soon? Why not learn a few words in the language of your destination and then try to have a conversation with someone there? It’s likely they will find it estimable and, who knows, you might end up making new friends.
2. Read. Remember the joy of taking yourself on adventures through books when you were a child? Get back in the habit. Reading is a great way to translate words on paper into images in our mind’s eye.
Some ideas you’ll find in literature can be life changing and help you to view the world in a completely different light. Novels let readers build empathy with characters and sometimes change their outlook on life.
Reading has other benefits, too. You’ll improve your ability to concentrate by sitting down with a good book in an isolated environment, blocking out exterior distractions. You’ll also likely learn new words, which will broaden your vocabulary. And sharing books with friends — via paper or electronic downloads — can be a wonderful gift, sparking lively conversations.
Read the remaining 3 tips from school to help you keep progressing as an adult HERE.
