Just because you are retired, doesn’t mean that your passion for learning new things is too.

There are many ways to satisfy your intellectual curiosity. Whether that’s going back to school or simply for the joy of learning like, exploring throughout your city, you can find many ways to continue to learn throughout your life.

Did you start a degree but then put it aside for your family or to serve in the military? If so, why not go back and finish what you started? So many people have gone on to finish degrees or start another field of study so, you can too! It might even inspire your family and show them you have a never-quit mentality.

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL

When thinking about getting a degree, remember there will be certain requirements to get into school. But generally, all you need to do is apply and enroll in post-secondary classes. As a senior you won’t need to worry about SAT scores or entrance essays. Here are a few of the general requirements:

• Age requirements: this is often 60 years or older.
• Residency requirements: you must be a citizen of the United States.
• Income restrictions: you may need to meet income restrictions in order to access scholarships, tuition waivers or other senior discounts.
• Proof of retirement
• Completion of high school diploma

FOR THE JOY OF LEARNING

Learning for fun can be just as rewarding as working toward a degree. It’s a sad day when we don’t learn something new so, why not take advantage of what your community has to offer. Here are a few ways you can learn new things every day:

• Be a tourist: explore your own city on your own or sign up for a walking, bus or museum tour to learn about the local history.
• Exchange stories: when you explore you tend to meet new people. Share your stories with some of the people you meet and they’ll share some too!
• Take a cooking class: sign up for a class to cook something you’ve never cooked from scratch before.
• Take a writing class: capture your family’s history in this class and gift it during the holiday season!
• Volunteer: sign up to be a tutor at your local elementary or high schools.

RESOURCES

A Senior Citizen Guide for College
www.aseniorcitizenguideforcollege.com

MONEY Magazine
Forget Tuition: How Retirees Can Attend College for Free

The Penny Hoarder
Free College Courses for Senior Citizens

The Bernard Osher Foundation
www.osherfoundation.org
(415) 861-5587