Have you considered going back to school in your golden years? For many people past their fifties, it can be intimidating to think about enrolling and finishing (or starting!) a degree. Technology has changed so much, the student body is much younger, it costs too much money, etc…these are all typical reasons someone may shy away from furthering their education. But as you can guess, there are many great reasons for seniors to head back to campus! Here are just a few to consider:
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Maintain cognitive ability. It’s no secret that memory and cognitive function tend to decrease as we age. Recent studies have shown some correlation, however, between mental pursuits and improved cognition. Going back to school – or even just taking a few classes here and there – is one great way to use your brain and give it new challenges.
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Exposure to new people and perspectives. Enrolling in a degree program that interests you is a surefire way to meet people, which might otherwise be difficult as a senior citizen. It’s also a great way to get exposure to different trains of thought, or get introduced to concepts and subjects you’ve not come across before.
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Finish what you started. Perhaps, like Leo Plass, you started a degree program but never finished. Plass dropped out of college to join the workforce in 1932, just a few credits away from a degree. In 2011, at the age of 99, he finally graduated with an associate’s degree from East oregon University.
Inspiring Senior Citizens who Graduated in Their Golden Years
Last year, this website created a list of the seven oldest American college graduates thus far. Leo Plass was one of them; read the remaining six stories and get inspired!
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Nola Ochs: Nola earned her bachelor’s degree at the age of 95, and completed a Master’s degree in history when she was 98.
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Wally Taibleson: First attended college in 1993, at the age of 70. Since then, Wally has earned a bachelor’s and three master’s degrees, the latest of which came in 2013 (at age 90).
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Twila Boston: At age 98, Twila completed her degree in American Studies from Utah State University, the oldest graduate thus far from that school.
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Allan Stewart: Allan graduated from dentistry school in 1936, but later in life he pursued education to keep his mind sharp. He earned his fourth Master’s degree at the age of 97.
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Charlie Ball: It was twenty-five years after Charlie’s education was cut short by World War II that he finished his degree, and graduated at the age of 89 from Arkansas Tech.
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Roy Vandiver: Roy earned a bachelor’s degree from Mercer University at age 76, after a career practicing medicine and running a company.
Resources for Senior Citizen Education in Pennsylvania
If you decide to take the plunge and go back to school as a senior citizen, congratulations and good luck! Here are some helpful resources to get you started:
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Pennsylvania Grants for Senior Citizens: click here
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At the Community College of Philadelphia, seniors over 65 can register for one tuition-free course per semester: learn more here
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Read here to learn about reduced tuition rates in Pennsylvania
We hope you enjoyed this article about reasons for seniors to go back to school, and take advantage of some of the resources available! If you or a loved one has any questions about In Home Care for seniors, please contact Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses today!
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