Page 98 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2023

GOLDEN YEARS
story by
Victoria Snyder
The Importance of Lifelong Learning
While there is no set definition for lifelong learning, it is most often considered a voluntary pursuance of education that is focused on personal growth. Quite often it is done outside of formal education, but it does not have to be. It’s all about feeling like you’re fulfilled in your life.
There are quite a few benefits to continued education as you get older. If you’re in the workforce, you can find classes and trainings on specific aspects of your profession to make yourself even better at what you do! Or, you can learn new skills, and these can help to make you a more adaptable worker.
Even if you’re not working, it’s never too late to learn new practical skills. From becoming more technologically proficient to learning a new language, or from cooking to learning how to sew – you can learn it all and it can come in handy during your day-to-day life. You can even continue your education on skills you already have – let’s perfect them!
If you feel like you’re not getting out enough or not meeting enough new people, pursuing knowledge can help you to meet others. Whether you decide to take or audit classes at a college, take online courses, use other online learning platforms, read books, or research in different ways, you’re bound to meet new people with similar interests.
One of the most important benefits of lifelong learning is that it can help your brain. It has been demonstrated that mental activity, such as learning, can help slow age-related cognitive and memory deterioration. Keeping your brain hard at work helps to keep it healthy!
Gulf Coast Hub:
gulfcoasthub.galaxydigital.com
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI): usm.edu/lifelong-learning
Gulf Coast Training & Education Services: gulfcoasttraining.org
Check with your local libraries to see what type of classes and activities they offer!
Visit local museums – you never know what you’ll learn!
Masterclass:
masterclass.com
TED Talks:
ted.com/talks
Coursera:
coursera.org
Massive Open Online Courses: mooc.org
98 | November 2023
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