It’s September, which means most children have headed back to school for the next nine to 10 months. And while they are off to discover new things, you should consider it, too.
If you don’t have a degree or if you have multiple, there are a variety of courses you can take to learn a new skill or just try something different.
So if you’re interested in something more academic – like ” How the Earth Works” – or are interested in something more artistic – maybe rug braiding – you can find a program to educate yourself.
For more than 40 years, this program has allowed adults to take non-credit night classes. It’s current course offering ranges from instruction on photography and dancing to computer software and Native American history. There are also fitness, foreign language and driving programs. The cost for classes ranges from $10 to nearly $200 depending on the course and how long it runs, anywhere from one to 10 weeks. Classes are held at Concord High School, 170 Warren St., Concord.
Info: concordcommunityed.org
A lot falls under the umbrella of Laconia Adult Education. It offers enrichment classes, such as cake decorating, belly dancing for fitness, genealogy and woodworking. It also leads Laconia Academy for adults who have not yet completed their high school diploma. There are programs for people interested in the electrical and plumbing building trades as well. The cost for enrichment classes is typically free to about $65. Laconia Academy is about $200 a semester. The trades apprenticeship program is $975, including required books. Laconia Adult Education is located at 345 Union Ave., Laconia.
Info: adultedlaconia.weebly.com
This is a national program for people age 50 and older that has a branch in New Hampshire. There are a wide-range of offerings taught by local volunteers and instructors. Some examples are “Little Issues With Big Data and AI” taught by Jim Isaak, president of the IEEE Computer Society, and “Films: Exploring Orsen Wells” by Robert Pingree, who has taught film study in different venues for 49 years. The program also leads travel trips to places in-state and across the globe. OLLI in New Hampshire has branches at Granite State College in Concord, Conway, Manchester, Portsmouth and Rochester. Prices for courses vary, but if you become an OLLI member, you get a discount.
Info: olli.granite.edu
Based out of New England College and taught by volunteers, the Learning Institute offers three semesters of five-week classes on a variety of topics. For the fall, there are Remembering the Holocaust, How the Earth Works, American 20th Century Poetry, Exploring Whiteness in Racially-Biased System, American Artists and the Great War, Broadway, Conquest of the Americas, Mindful Interpersonal Communication and The World of Film. There is a yearly membership fee of $35 for an individual or $50 for a household. Then, each semester you take a class is $15. Classes are held at New England College, 98 Bridge St., Henniker.
Info: nec.edu/about/centers-other-locations/learning-institute
You just never know what you might find at your local library. Yes, of course, there are books you can check out to learn something by reading. However, most libraries also offer another educational programming. In September, the Concord Public Library will host a lecture on black bears in New Hampshire. In Gilford, test your French or German language skills. On Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m., learn about “Life on the Home Front” in 1943 at the Boscawen library. Visit your town’s library or check out their website to see if there’s anything of interest to you.
If there’s something you’d really like to learn but can seem to find it, maybe you should look for an online class. MOOCs – massive open online courses – allow thousands of students from anywhere to take an online class, usually for free and without filling out an application. You can view offerings from Havard, Columbia, Norte Dame and dozens more on a site like edx.org. Courses are heavy on reading and watching videos, with quizzes as benchmarks. Often courses are self-paced, so it’s up to you to motivate yourself to complete it.