By my second semester , I was settled right in , and happily embracing the “ old folks ’ area ,” aka the front row , as the best place to be able to actually , you know , learn something . I ’ d been somewhat ambivalent as a high school teenager - now I embraced learning and happily earned every A that came my way .
“ My biggest reward was proving to myself and my teenagers that goals can be achieved ,” says Laurie Harrison , St . Clair College Class of 2015 . Having attended St . Clair as a Second Career student after a workplace injury sparked the need for a career change , Harrison spent two years as a full time student . “ I entered a field of study that was so unfamiliar to me … and graduated with confidence and skills to succeed in the workforce .”
Career changes and achieving goals aren ’ t the only rewards that come with lifelong learning . Many students find that continued education enhances their social life , improves their mental health and broadens their community perspective . And it ’ s not necessary to leave your full time job or wait until you ’ re ‘ older ’ to make it happen .
“ Our evening , online and weekend students include recent high school graduates who are picking up college prep subjects such as math or sciences , as well as mature adults or retirees who are interested in learning something new , and everybody in between ,” says Irene Moore-Davis , manager of Continuing Education at St . Clair College .
“ You ’ ll generally find that there are people of all ages sitting in the room with you ... people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences … In this day and age , the average person goes through multiple career changes , and the need to retrain or retool is always going to be part of that process .”
The Continuing Education department at St . Clair College has been responsive to that reality . “ Most of our students are taking courses either to increase their skills for workplace purposes or to gain some form of credential ,” says Moore-Davis . About a third of Continuing Education learners are upgrading skills in their current occupation and about 16 per cent are preparing for a career change .
There are numerous options for people looking to jump back into the education stream . In addition to traditional classes at St . Clair College and the University of Windsor , there are numerous private colleges offering certificate programs . Community centre agendas are packed with skill-based and general knowledge classes , and an increasing number of organizations and businesses are adding workshops or classes to their offerings . ‘ School ’ is taking place beyond a classroom with desks and a professor . Learning happens in gyms , workshops , outdoors or even at home .
“ We have local history courses , day trips , food and wine / beer appreciation , nature / outdoors , etc …” says Catherine Fettes , program manager at Canterbury Eldercollege . Geared towards the retiree - age 55 or better is their slogan - Eldercollege is staffed by volunteers and offers no accreditation but continues to grow in popularity . “ Our courses are meant to be educational but relaxed , entertaining and social at the same time . Learning for the joy of learning is our motto .”
Never stop learning because life never stops teaching . - Unknown