Today I went around to my parents as is my usual weekly routine to catch with their news over a cup of coffee or a wander in their garden.

My father asked me about the University of the Third Age and how it was set up.

I knew that it was an international not-for-profit organisation that holds various courses and meet-ups for those who are over 50, semi-retired or retired. It’s a great way to keep your mind and hands active and expand your social circles in your ‘golden’ age.

There’s a U3A campus near where we live. The one that is closest to us is situated on the grounds of an old high school, Moorleigh High School that has long since closed down in the 1990s due to declining enrolments. Imagine a couple of brick rectangular buildings built up off the ground that have classrooms with sliding doors. I imagine a school bell going off, the doors sliding open with hundreds of screaming teenagers running to get out of the rooms and head for the oval. Those days are long gone. Instead, it’s now part of a community village where small clubs gather for different member activities. You’re more likely to find older people pushing those doors open to spill out into the sunshine and tottle over to the vegetable garden for a bit to see how the zucchinis are growing.

My father will be joining an art group there and teaching a class.

It struck me that now that I’m “semi retired” (do I call myself that now that as of 11 October will be my last day of formal work), that I can join the U3A as I meet their criteria.

It was a weird moment to realise that I could participate in something like the U3A with my father.

Amusingly, he did ask me if I would consider being a student in his class and taking art and I had a chuckle.

“Are you sure you’d want me in your class? I’d be a disruptive influence!” I joked.

Then I pretended to be putting up my hand and asking, “But why? But why? But why?”

He walked off in a huff and mumbled under his breath that it may be a bad idea having me in his class.

However it got me thinking and exploring what courses there are at the U3A for things that I’d be interested in.

Would I be one of the youngest ones there? Most likely.

Would they ask me to take a class in how to use technology? Most likely (which I’d decline – I’d rather teach knitting but then again I have a sneaking suspicion that many women of that age already know how to knit).

However, it struck me….languages.

It would be a perfect opportunity to find (another) conversation group for French!

I also started to think how the U3A is something that anyone – regardless of age – should and must be learning.

Why does one have to wait until they’re retired to learn more about topics like those below in a social learning environment?

• Criminology
• Putin’s Russia
• German Discussion
• Current Affairs
• Algebra
• Learning to Play the Ukulele
• History of New France
• Introduction to Gaelic
• Lend Me Your Ears – Radio Broadcasting in the Modern Age
• T.S Elliot’s Collected Poems

Wouldn’t learning like this be relevant for those who want to learn in a group setting WITHOUT the expectation of a qualification or assessments?
I’d do it in a heartbeat.

(1) You’re motivated to learn.

(2) There are no exams or assessments.

(3) You’re with a group of people who you can meet, learn and socialise with

(4) It builds things to do/goals into your week

(5) It opens up your world a bit – from home

(6) They’re not on f****ing Zoom all the time.

I can see myself in the future creating my own timetable (like I did in my high school years) of every day being in a class of some sort. It wouldn’t be online either. I’d make it into a card – like I had back in 1986. It would be written in pencil that I can rub out as things change and then it would become tattered. I’d carry it around in my back pocket and check what class I have next.

I’ll revisit my high school years – without the angst.

Funny thing is, I’ll be back into those classrooms again.

Ah, nostalgia.

Righto. Might be too soon for me to commence with U3A but it’s good to know that I have options for say, another 20 years time. Or maybe soon.