As an adult, taking on new learning can be hard. Strict educational programs feel like something for the younger generations, and with work and family to balance just getting the time together to commit to learning can be extremely difficult. However, it’s also an important thing to do in order to gain new skills, expand your knowledge and develop yourself personally. Fortunately, there are many options available specifically designed to fit into an adult lifestyle and be flexible enough for you to maintain around other commitments. Here are a few ideas for adult learning:

• Tertiary courses. Although many see tertiary as requiring a fulltime commitment, there are actually many things you can do part time and at your own pace. The great thing about tertiary institutions is that even if you are just taking a course or two, you get to benefit from the size and structure of the school as a whole. They also tend to have more specialised fields, so if you’re purely learning for interest’s sake it can be the most flexible option for you.

• Skill-based courses. For those looking for something to use in their everyday life, there are also many practical, skill-based courses available. These can often encompass employable skills such as trades and computer literacy, giving you an extra string to your bow when it comes to applying for jobs. However these do often require a bit more time, and work better as an accompaniment to part time employment.

• Community classes. A little less formal than taking on full educational courses, community classes are a great way to meet people as well as learning a thing or two. They often cover creative skills such as pottery or painting, as well as skills that are useful in everyday life such as cooking or a new language. They’re fun and social, and it doesn’t matter so much if you miss a lesson once in a while. They’re also usually a lot cheaper, and often require just one night per week.

• Self-directed learning. For some, none of the above will quite fit what they want. Sometimes this can be due to a difficult schedule, or because what you want to learn about is a little off the beaten track. In these cases, self-directed learning through an online course or simply by reading can be just as effective, though it does require more discipline.

It’s just as important to keep learning as an adult as it is when you are a child, and there are many options available to make it totally feasible with any lifestyle.