5 Reasons to Take an Online Course in Retirement

Over recent years, online learning has become more popular than ever, especially this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Older adults have also hopped on the bandwagon and started taking more online courses. Colleges are seeing an influx in older adults returning to school, and many of them take their courses from home.

There are several reasons why older adults are furthering their education, such as to gain a promotion at work or to get the dream job they’ve always wanted. However, retirees also have reason to take online courses. There are many benefits to taking an online course in retirement, and these are just the top five.

To learn a new subject

While many retirees look forward to relaxing by a beach somewhere, you might get bored with all that relaxation.

Taking an online class is a great way to fill a few hours and keep your brain engaged.  For example, you could learn a new language or take a class on Shakespeare. If you’ve ever been interested in learning more about a particular subject or topic  but never had the time to do so, now’s your chance.

To take up a new hobby

Similar to learning a new subject, learning a new hobby is a fun and often useful way to spend your spare time. You can find an online course for learning almost any type of hobby. From  knitting to painting to cooking and gardening , there is an online course for anything you want to try (or improve your existing skills). .

Learning a new hobby can improve your hand-eye coordination, too. For example, cooking involves a lot of hand-eye coordination and multitasking. These skills can help you live independently longer.

To slow cognitive decline

Studies show that learning new tasks and subjects in retirement can help slow cognitive decline. New hobbies and online coursework are both great ways to keep your brain active and engaged. They may even ward off or delay Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

An Annals of Neurology study showed that people who speak two or more languages have slower age-related cognitive decline. Another study conducted by Psychological Science proved that seniors who learned and performed a complex skill over three months showed immediate memory improvement.

To start a side hustle

You may enter retirement and find that you miss having a job. You may even need some extra income.  If that’s the case, take an online course in retirement to learn how to start a side hustle that can bring in some extra cash. For example, you can sign up for a course about how to run an online Etsy store so you can sell your homemade crafts. You could also sign up for online courses to become a substitute teacher.

To be better prepared

Possibly one of the most important reasons to take an online course in retirement is to learn your new health insurance program, Medicare. Like any foreign topic, Medicare is a beast to learn. It’s nearly nothing like the health insurance you’re used to having, so you’ll need to study up on it prior to enrollment.

are various resources online you can use to get the ball rolling. There are plenty of avenues online to help you master Medicare from video courses and webinars to blogs and Facebook groups.

Online courses are an excellent way to keep your brain active and healthy, and they may even help you earn some extra fun money for retirement. If you’re looking for online courses, be sure to check out your local community colleges and universities as well as YouTube and other course platforms, such as Kajabi and Udemy.