The Forever Student

One of my favorite quotes of all time is by Henry L. Doherty. He said, "Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life." To me, this is a great sentiment of what it means to be a lifelong learner.

As someone who is a lover of learning, I have been fortunate enough to surround myself with people of the like (I work for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Aquinas College), and I can tell you that the spirit of these people is truly inspiring. Lawyers come to take a class about wildflowers, and teachers become a student of presidential leadership. Why? For the love of learning. Someone who is engaged in the world around them and never loses their sense of curiosity is someone who will be able to have a meaningful conversation with people of all ages. Someone who has lent themselves to learning is someone who will find value in the knowledge and insight of others. These are the people that will flourish and grow, no matter their age.

Being a lifelong learner does not mean having to be tied down to the classroom and taking tests for the rest of our lives. To me, being a lifelong learner means being a student of the world. Learning why a Robin's egg is blue can be just as interesting and valuable as knowing the periodic table. Finding the real story behind your favorite song is just as meaningful as reading Moby Dick. Knowing all of the ingredients in tabouli can make you feel as enlightened as learning about The American Revolution. Why? Because you want to know the answer, and you figured it out. Isn't that learning in its most pure form?

Learn from the conversations of others. Take a class because you want to, not because it will fulfill your degree. Read a book on how to build a wood strip canoe because you've always wanted to know how it was done. These are the types of things that will keep you growing, stretching, and relevant. Pledge yourself to be a lifelong learner and you will never find yourself without a purpose.