School Days

Those of us with a bit more snow on the roof (translation: senior citizens) might remember an old video of Bing Crosby (OK, a VERY old video) singing White Christmas against a snowy backdrop (Bing Crosby video fun fact: In those pre-environmental days, the snow they were using was asbestos). 

I bring this up only because that iconic seasonal song was recorded in the summer. So here I am in shorts and sandals in the middle of July writing a back-to-school column. But this is not about kids or what to wear or handling peer pressure or how much your precious young’un should tip the limo driver (This is the north shore of Long Island, after all).  

Nope. I’d like to address the above-mentioned older folks if I could. It’s time for you too to go back to school. I am a huge proponent of continuing adult education and for a variety of reasons. Take out your notepads as I write them on the board (and remember I have eyes in the back of my head): 

1: Taking adult classes takes you out of your comfort zone and challenges your brain. Be honest now, even the most challenging of jobs has a bit of rote and regularity built into it. We define ourselves as accountants or writers or doctors or bus drivers. But these narrow descriptions are not the sum total of our capabilities or interests. 

2: Taking adult classes takes you out of your rut. One of the toughest things to do is come home from work, have dinner and then get up to attend a new two-hour class. But it’s another form of exercise, and just like your exercise routine, once you break through that first wall of resistance, you will actually begin to look forward to it.

3: Taking adult classes puts you in touch with a passion you might have for something other than your full-time job. Want to hone your skills as a cook? Looking for a place to share your thoughts on a new book? How about a creative writing course? 

4: Taking adult classes exposes you to other adults who share similar interests, a much-needed social interaction in this always-plugged-in, rarely-in-touch culture of ours. I’ve said this before, but there is nothing social about social media. Communication, companionship, friendship. None of these reaches full flower via text. Go out and experience someone else. 

5: All of the above combine to refresh your spirit for the work and stresses and responsibilities of whatever else absorbs your time and energy. It’s counter-instinctive to believe that adding yet another thing to our overcrowded daily calendar could have a positive effect.  News flash: It does. 

And yes, this is a teacher who not only teaches but does. Over the years I have taken advantage of a variety of adult courses, from how to run a bed-and-breakfast to voice-over training (and have a fairly active sideline as the result of this latter experience).

The possibilities are truly endless and it takes just a bit of research on your part, and maybe a minimal cost, to set the wheels in motion. The best place to start is your local library.  When was the last time you even walked into one? They put out regular calendars of courses that kids and adults can take, and the variety is pretty wide. BOCES as well has a list that you can tap into and, for a few more dollars, scout out the offerings of local colleges.

You can also start with a web search. Define your interests and get going. You’ll be well rewarded. Then the only question that will remain is what to tip the limo driver.