A study undertaken by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills suggests that engaging in continued education can have multiple benefits, impacting many different areas of life. Continuing learning into your adult life doesn’t necessarily have to lead to a formal qualification to be valuable - in some cases, removing the ‘pressure to achieve’ can strengthen the benefits all the more.
Whether you’re revisiting an old hobby, learning something completely new, or improving your professional skills, an adult learning course can provide a range of benefits, such as:
- Improvements in physical and mental well-being
- Increased confidence and positive attitude
- Career progression
- General life satisfaction
- Networking opportunities
- A potential to increase income
But where to start? Below are some examples of areas in which you could take an adult learning course and what specific benefits they could bring to you.
Creative
Subjects like music, art, dance or creative writing could reveal a passion or talent for something that you never knew you had, but they can also have serious health benefits. Stress is associated with numerous chronic diseases like heart disease, depression and Alzheimer’s; indulging in creative activities has been shown to reduce stress and overall emotional wellbeing. What’s more, it can also have a positive impact on your career. For instance, careertipster.com suggests that engaging in a creative writing course can improve your vocabulary, organisational skills and more.
Business and Professional
Whether you’re thinking about setting up your own business or want to increase your skills to get that promotion, a short business course can make a huge difference. You can learn skills such as management, administration, accounting, problem-solving and team work to help you thrive in a professional environment.
Find out more about our business and professional courses here.
Languages
Whether you want to brush-up ready for your next holiday, start a new life in the South of France or improve your linguistic skills for business reasons, learning a new language can reap huge rewards. According to the British Council, three quarters of British adults can’t speak a foreign language competently – so taking a language course is sure to set you apart, particularly in business. A recent BBC News article suggested that learning a new language can have far reaching benefits – speaking with four people who say that learning another language changed their lives, professionally and personally.
Of course, these are just three ideas – here at The College of West Anglia we offer courses for adults in an enormous range of subjects, so you’re bound to find something for you.
Start exploring now and see where it can take you.