Coastal Carolina University offers plenty of lifelong learning opportunities

Adults heading back to school to learn a new skill or get a new job is not unheard of, but a group of about 1,200 students at Coastal Carolina University are going to class simply for the joy of learning. The school offers its Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI ) and Community Learning about Special Subjects (CLASS), both of which provide courses to adults on everything from computer science to creative writing, The Sun News reports.

The OLLI is especially popular because it allows students who have paid the small membership fee to sit in on any class before deciding whether or not they want to sign up. At the school's three locations in South Carolina, there are about 350 classes offered through the program.

"I think there are people out there who are interested in everything," Ketron told the publication. "The 350 courses offered through OLLI reflect both the level of interest by the community, because they have made requests for more and more, and the fact that we have so many retired teachers in the area. They call me and offer to teach their specialties."

There are numerous benefits of lifelong learning for adults over 50, experts say. In addition to keeping your mind sharp, classes also offer an opportunity to meet new people who share similar interests. Luckily for many baby boomers who are entering retirement, there are a number of places to enjoy the advantages.

Retirement communities often offer such opportunities. One such program, Del Webb Celebrate, provides homeowners with access to the Mary Washington ElderStudy program at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, which has classes that will appeal to almost everyone.