Lifelong learning: the best courses to feed your brain as you age

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Lifelong learning is an important thing. If you have recently retired or are looking for a career change, a course can energize you and spark new ideas. And if you’re just bored and need a boost, a class can be a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, and have fun.

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Better, it’s good for your brain. According to a study published in 2014 in the academic journal Psychological Science, older adults learning a new skill may be helping to protect their brains from age-related memory loss.

Here is a short list of courses to consider:

Unleash your inner artist

A branch of Christie’s, the famous auction house, Christie’s Education offers online art courses for anyone looking to learn more about contemporary art, art history, and the art business. You will connect with a global community of art and design lovers, buyers and sellers, and you will learn a lot and perhaps find a new passion. There are a variety of courses available, including History of Jewelry Design, Watches, Art Law, Art Market Economics, and Modern Art.

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Or become an artist with Continuing studies from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Take a class or take a few and earn a certificate in 3D painting, drawing, illustration, photography, or design, to name just a few of the part-time and full-time certificate programs on offer. Options are available both in person and online. Many have no prerequisites, so don’t worry if you haven’t been in an art class since elementary school.

Discover Indigenous Canada

Perhaps you dream of understanding indigenous stories a little better. Indigenous Canada is a free 12-week course offered online through the University of Alberta. Faculty of Native Studies . Register and you will learn about indigenous land claims, environmental issues, conflicts and alliances, as well as contemporary indigenous life and art in Canada. Audit the course for free through Coursera or pay a small fee to earn a certificate upon completion. Or, if you prefer, you can also take a version with credit.

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Learn a new language

Learning a new language is a challenge that will keep your brain active for years to come. the Monnalisa College in Florence, Italy, offers online language classes with native Italian speakers. Try individual lessons or group classes. There are flexible hours and offers, and when you’re ready to travel again, there are also in-person courses, including senior-only groups, in Italy.

If French is more your style? French alliance has branches throughout Canada, including Vancouver, for all ages and levels. Many courses are still online due to the pandemic, but there are in-person offerings at the temporary Cambie Street location. Alliance Française also offers special events, including lectures and film screenings, so you can practice your new language skills in real life.

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Pursue new and old interests

Simon Fraser University has a wide range of online and in-person continuing education courses on everything from business management to urban planning. Noteworthy is the extensive list of courses for those over 55: Poetry and Social Change, Shakespeare at the Symphony, Travel Photography Singing.

Or explore your creativity and the written word with the university’s outstanding creative writing courses and workshops (fiction and nonfiction). If you already have a manuscript in the works, you can meet with a professional writer for suggestions on what to do next with your work. The duration of the courses and activities varies, from a couple of hours to a few weeks, depending on the chosen subject.

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Maybe writing scripts is your real dream? the Vancouver Film School offers online certified courses on the fundamentals of screenwriting and television writing. They welcome everyone: mature students, high school students, or people looking to make a career change. When finished, you will receive a digital certificate celebrating your achievement.

Perfect your knowledge of wine

Drink wine and study with a world-renowned course of Fine Vintage. The Vancouver-based school offers in-person and online wine courses affiliated with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) in London, England. If you’ve always wanted to know the difference between Bordeaux and Burgundy, this is a great place to start. Some people use their WSET education to find new careers in restaurants, wineries, and wine shops, while others simply enjoy sharing their new knowledge over dinner parties.

Move

As we age, yoga is a great way to improve circulation and build strength and balance. If you want to take your practice beyond the student level, Vancouver School of Healing Arts offers a 12-week yoga teacher certification program that is recognized worldwide by the Yoga Alliance.

Or try Pilates. the Vancouver Pilates Center has a variety of face-to-face and online classes, as well as a Pilates teacher training program.

The story was created by Content works, Postmedia commercial content division.