Back to School

It's that time of year again. The local discount stores and office supply merchants have stocked up on pencils and notebooks, and planners are flying off the shelves. Children excitedly don their new clothes and carry their backpacks and lunch boxes onto the bus, or walk to school with their friends, ready for a new beginning. Filled with anticipation, they wonder who their new teachers might be. Will their team win this year? Who will make the cheerleading squad? And will that cute boy be in math class? Some kids may even have plans to get good grades this year!

Children will learn how to read and write and do arithmetic. They will learn about continents and countries, plants and animals. Some will learn foreign languages; others may learn to play a musical instrument. Students will learn how to manage their time and how to make friends. But learning doesn't end when one turns that tassel or earns that degree. That is only the beginning.

As adults, we should always be learning, developing new skills, asking questions, and seeking the answers to our problems. We can enroll in classes at a college or university, not necessarily to earn a degree, but simply to learn something new. Many communities have adult education classes, workshops, and seminars on a variety of topics. Museums and art centers offer classes in drawing, painting, and ceramics. Music stores and studios have teachers that give private lessons. Most of these options cost money. But learning doesn't have to be expensive. Home improvement stores give free demonstrations. Community centers have free lectures. And there is an abundance of information on the internet that is free for the asking. Many free online courses are offered by programs like Coursera and MIT OpenCourseWare. These are actual classes taught by top professors at prestigious universities. And, of course, there is always the public library!

As the kids go back to school, now is a good time to examine our own lives. Is there something you've always wanted to learn about, or a skill you have wanted to develop? Why not develop your own curriculum this year, and learn something new? Make a list of books to read. Sign up for a class. Set a goal, and get started!