Lifelong learning programs are cropping up at colleges and universities all across the U.S. as research is showing that study following retirement improves the quality of life and in some cases, the health, of retirees. Kendal at Oberlin believes in supporting learning as a way of enriching retirement and providing a continual path to self-improvement. View our brief presentation “The A-B-C’s of Lifelong Learning Opportunities” to discover the benefits of continuing your education through one of these programs.

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ABCs
of Lifelong
Learning
Opportunities

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Lifelong learningis certainly a buzzword in education today.
Wikipedia describes lifelong learning as “the ‘ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated’ pursuit of
knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Therefore, it not only enhances social inclusion,
active citizenship, and personal development, but also self-sustainability, rather than competitiveness and
employability.” For many active older adults, and especially in Oberlin, it’s a way of life. These are the
ABCs of Lifelong Learning.

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Academy for Lifelong Learning
The Academy for Lifelong Learning at Lorain County Community
College offers adults who are aged 50 or older the opportunity to take
a wide variety of non-credit classes. Many local community colleges offer
classes designed for older adults.
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Boosts Retirement Satisfaction
U.S. News and World Report Money’s Retirement Blog suggests that
taking advantage of lifelong learning opportunities helps older adults
feel more challenged, leading to greater overall retirement satisfaction.
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College or University Classes
Oberlin College allows any city resident over the age of 65 to
audit classes for free. All that is needed is permission from the instructor.
Check with a college or university near you to see if they do the
same. Older adults bring a new level of experience to share with
younger students.
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Develops Natural Abilities
Once adults stop working every day, they have more time available to
explore and develop their natural abilities and talents.
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Engagement (Social)
Social engagement is important at every age. Institutional learning
provides older adults opportunities to interact with classmates and
build inviting and welcoming social circles.
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Have Some FUN!
Learning a new skill can be great fun. What is something you’ve
always wanted to try? Or perhaps there is a class subject that
intrigues you. Have some fun pursuing it.
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Guide to Lifelong Learning Opportunities at Public Universities (by State)
Many states offer either reduced or free tuition for older adults at state
colleges and universities. Auditing classes, according to the New York
Times, gives older adults the opportunity to pursue academic learning
without the pressures of making the grade.
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Healthier Living
Psychology Today reports that continuing education among older
adults helps to reduce cognitive decline associated with aging as well as
depression and poor self-images.
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Intergenerational Courses
These courses are designed for children and adults to take side by side.
Intergenerational courses are in fields like art, recreational, technology,
and special interests. The goal is to bridge the gap between generations
and show each group that there is much to learn from the others.
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Journey
Do you have a passion for travel?
Make the journey a learning experience through programs
like Road Scholar, formerly Elderhostel.
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Keep Teaching
Residents at Kendal at Oberlin have many opportunities to share their
talents and expertise, often serving as instructors for the Academy of
Lifelong Learning and even as adjunct professors at Oberlin College.
Do you have a skill that you would like to share?
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Local Libraries
A quick ride to the local library provides life-enriching discoveries. You
can join a book club or discussion group, or perhaps a summer reading
program. The Oberlin Public Library and the Cuyahoga County Library
are great places to start.
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Many Ways to Pursue Lifelong Learning
Adults enjoy many opportunities to pursue lifelong learning. These are just a
few of the options available: Art, Books, Book Clubs, Colleges and Universities,
Lectures, Local Libraries, Music, Online Classes, Self-Directed Learning,
Symposiums, Workshops, and Writing Clubs
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New Horizons
Learning at any stage in life presents new
horizons to explore and pursue.
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Online Education
Universities like Notre Dame, MIT, and Harvard offer free online
classes where older adults can learn new languages, computer
programming, and take countless other courses, while enjoying the
quality education that students at these prestigious universities receive
in the classroom.
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Possibilities
The possibilities are endless for adults who exercise their brains as
mindfully as they feed their bodies and souls.
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Questions Answered
The great thing about lifelong learning is that it fuels intellectual
curiosity, allowing students of all ages to get all of their questions
answered over time.
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Relationships Developed and Fostered
While taking classes, attending lectures, participating in discussions
about topics that interest and excite you, you also have the opportunity
to build relationships with other people who are interested in and excited
by similar subjects and materials.
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Stimulation
According to the Franklin Institute, mental stimulation serves to
improve the function of the brain. Learning new things, especially as
you age, helps the brain to grow new neurons.
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Thrive
Retirement is an opportunity for you to explore the things about
which you are most passionate. It’s a time when you can thrive,
as you spend time doing what you love and studying those areas
that make you feel vibrant and enthused.
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Understanding
Lifelong learning provides the opportunity to gain a new perspective
of the world around you – and the people in that world. It expands your
mind as much as it extends your connection to the people around you.
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Vitality
For many people, the very act of learning is stimulating and
engaging, adding ongoing vitality to your lifestyle There’s nothing
quite like cracking the spine of a new book or diving into a new
subject or philosophy.
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Wisdom
Knowledge, education, and experience bring wisdom. The ability to
glean practical nuggets of information through lifelong learning helps
deepen one’s wisdom. In the words of Henry David Thoreau,
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
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Youth
Your mind will retain the excitement and enthusiasm of youth,
as you gain new knowledge.
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Zest
As you pursue lifelong learning opportunities with zest,
you bring enthusiasm and energy to living life with purpose.
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28. Many people also downloaded our brochure to learn about Kendal at
Oberlin and what great opportunities we offer in retirement living. Picture
yourself living in a community with all the educational, cultural and active
opportunities you can expect in a town with a top liberal arts college and
world-renowned conservatory of music.
www.kao.kendal.org
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