College attendance is rising, and not just among high school grads and twenty-something graduate students. More and more older adults are heading back to school, and their enrollment rate is actually rising faster than traditionally college-aged students. In 2009, students over 35 accounted for 17 percent of all college and graduate students, and that figure is expected to rise to 19 percent by the end of 2020.
The American Association of Community Colleges has even created the Plus 50 Initiative to showcase the educational programs that cater to learners aged 50 and older.
Why are we seeing this trend? From pure interest in a new topic to creating a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, there are myriad reasons why older adults and retirees are returning to the halls of learning. Here are our top four:
1. Starting a Second Career
After spending the majority of your day at work for many years, having too much free time in retirement can begin to wear on you. If this is the case, you may want to consider a second career.
Whether that means going back to school, acting as a consultant or volunteering, taking a few courses in a subject that interests you can help point you down the right path.
2. Personal Enrichment
It’s never too late to keep learning, and if you’re retiring or winding down your career, there’s no better time to shift your focus back to school. You may have opted for a “practical” degree your first time around, but now you have the time and resources to invest in your own enrichment and dive deep into subjects that really interest you.
College courses don’t have to be expensive, either. Community college courses can be inexpensive, and some school systems will even allow seniors to audit courses for free.
3. Stay Busy
Retirement has plenty of benefits, but the first few years out of work can feel like a slump. Going back to school can be a great way to stave off boredom and keep your brain sharp. It shouldn’t take the place of leisure and socialization, of course, but completing or adding to a degree can offer a great deal of long-term satisfaction.
4. Keep Your Mind Active
Learning isn’t just enriching. It may actually keep you healthy. Research has shown that older adults who take college courses are better at retaining and even improving their cognitive abilities and reducing their risks for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementias.
Reading detailed material, organizing data and recalling information during study and tests—skills most college courses require—have also been shown to slow cognitive decline.
Whether or not you’re thinking of going back to school, you’ll want to make the most of your retirement years. To learn how you can enjoy life to the fullest in retirement, download our free guide, Aging in Place: A Popular Trend for a New Generation of Seniors.
