Senior Studies
Break out the books & join the Senior class!

BY Janel Bladow

It’s true! You’re never too old to learn.

Seniors today can take classes to learn new tricks, trades and skills. They can study arts, sciences, languages, politics and philosophies. Paint cityscapes. Plot gardens. Plan estates.

Here in the Big Apple, the world, as they say, is your oyster. If there’s something you’d like to learn – as complex as a second, even third language or as basic as how to caulk your tub – you can find a class.

“Baby boomers are retiring then discovering that they can play just so much golf, see so much theater,” says Howard Salik, president of Quest, a membership club for learning. “The opportunity is there to stimulate your intellect and find what’s truly important in your life.”

Many local colleges and universities offer continuing education classes often at reasonable prices. But several organizations have programs strictly for seniors at low cost and even free. Thrive NYC checked into these three:

PEER GROUP

Now in its 14th year, Quest began as an off-shoot of the continuing education program at The New School with a group of retirees who wanted no grades, no mandatory attendance but a place to learn and share fellowship. Today Quest has 125 self-administrators, that is, members are teachers too, offering 30 unique college-level courses. New to the fall schedule are a science seminar called “The Universe,” a history class “New York Story: the Neighborhood,” a legal course “Notorious Criminal Trials,” and a literature study “Kafka: A Critical Analysis.” Two 90-minute classes are held every morning and afternoon. Membership is $500 for three semesters (fall, spring and a shorten summer session). The Quest ID card also gives members free and unlimited access to the Museum of Modern Art and The Whitney Museum. Classes begin September 8 with a free open house event on September 16. There’s even a lunchroom with free coffee and tea and a refrigerator for those who bring their lunch. But President Salik says the socializing is such a key part of the program that many members often go out to lunch together and continue their class discussions. Members range in age from 55 to 101 – yep, Ruth Proskauer Smith, who teaches “The United States Supreme Court,” turned 101 last month! “We see learning as gymnastics for the brain,” says Salik, a retired businessman. “It keeps us going, young and vital. You’d be amazed by the intellect of these people. And the social impact is also important. Where else can you make such dynamic new friends?”

QUEST: A Community for Lifelong Learning
25 Broadway, 7th Floor
212 925-6625, ext 229
www.questonline.org

ALWAYS ON SUNDAY

Going into its 26th year, Sundays at JASA (Jewish Association for Services for the Aged) is the longest-running informal educational program for seniors 55 and older in the city. The program offers students a chance to learn to play Bridge, study Chinese medicine, practice yoga or join a chorus. Take a computer class – from beginner to advance levels. Or, learn about “The Power of Politics” and “World Famous Painters.” Choose from 25 different subjects. All instructors are experts in their fields. Registration open house is on September 7, 11 am – 2 pm and classes begin September 14 with the semester running through December 14. Each class is $50 with additional materials fees where applicable. Program Director Sara Tornay is excited about their new home at John Jay College. “Classes are just better when held in a school,” she says. “We have amazing people who come. Their ages range all the way into their 90s. They’re very active. Always going, going, going.”

SUNDAYS @ JASA
John Jay College
899 Tenth Ave
(between 58 & 59th Sts.)
212 273-5304
www.jasa.org

LEARNING FOR FUN

While the 92nd Street Y offers a multitude of classes for adults – everything from aerobics to wine tasting, their “60+ series” offers seniors a little something extra. Classes range from the humanities to health and wellness, with a concert, play or excursion thrown in for fun. There’s even a chamber music group. The program is available daytime, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Dues are $395 annually with a $50 class fee but you also get discounts on concerts, plays and other events. Members also have access to social workers and counseling.

92ND STREET Y
1395 Lexington Ave @ 92nd St.
212 415-5630
www.92y.org

Here are a few more places seniors can take classes:

Brooklyn Public Library
Services to the Aging
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/seniors
Cultural and educational programs for seniors at Brooklyn neighborhood libraries

Kingsborough Community College
www.kbcc.cuny.edu/myturn
Tuition-free courses for adults 60+, space available. Registration fee

Brooklyn College
www.academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/adulted
Half-price continuing education classes for 65 and older adults

AARP
www.aarp.org
Online classes from computers to taxes. Membership fee

New York Botanical Gardens
www.nybg.org/edu/conted
Continuing ed classes in everything from botanical arts illustrations and garden writing to horticultural therapy and landscape design. Steep fees begin at more than $100

New York City College of Technology
http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/academics/continuinged/pdf/fall_08_csc.pdf
Part of the CUNY system, their Continuing Studies Department has a host of hands-on classes for seniors from cooking to home repairs. Classes start at $35 each