I was so excited! Monday was my first day back to school. I bounced out of bed like a 2nd grader—well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration—rolled out might be better. l’d signed up for Washington University’s Life Long Learning program. I’m taking an 8-week course (one day a week) in 17th century British history entitled: Rebellion and Revolution.
When I arrived at the meeting place in Clayton, I was expecting perhaps a sleeper cell of old anarchists from the sixties. Such was not the case. Although I did hear one cry out “Onward, citizens!”—but I think that had something to do with the coffee break. Happily, there was about 45 of my vintage, who simply love history.
Learning Is Still Fun
Classes meet on the West Campus in the building at the corner of Forsyth and Jackson. LLL has been offering non-credit, peer instructed courses for adults 55 and older for more than 20 years. Topics include art, architecture, economics, math, science, writing, religion, history and contemporary issues. See here for a listing of the winter courses that just got under way.
So far I’ve taken a course in the French Enlightenment and one on the life of St. Paul. It’s great fun going back to school when there’s no written assignments, tests, or grades. No unruly students, dress codes, messy locker partners or hall monitors. Though there was some talk of a possible fire drill when the weather gets better. LLL provides learning boiled down to its essence: savvy teachers and eager, bright-faced students. That works at any age.
One school improvement I noticed as a food blogger is that elder students bring baked goodies to nibble on during “recess.” No chocolate milk or graham crackers like those grade school treats of yore. We’ve upgraded to gourmet sweets and home baked items. There’s even decaf coffee for those of us who don’t want to get too jumpy while discussing rebellions and revolutions.
