Ever Scholar: The Commitment to Lifelong Learning

March 15, 2024 by Professional Studies Staff

In this blog post, we explore the idea of lifelong learning; what it is and why we should commit to becoming a lifelong learner. Humans are naturally curious beings, and lifelong learning is a way to indulge in that curiosity.

What is a lifelong learner?

A lifelong learner actively wants to learn new things throughout their life. Lifelong learning does not necessarily have to be enrolling in classes, but this is one of the most common ways individuals continue their learning. People can also engage in lifelong learning by teaching themselves a new skill or researching a topic they want to learn more about. What makes someone a lifelong learner is their self-initiated pursuit of new information and skills. Anyone can commit to being a lifelong learner!

What are the benefits of being a lifelong learner?

Career Advancement

The new skills acquired as a lifelong learner can prepare you for new job markets or better positions in your current field. A small investment in your education could lead to raises and new career opportunities.

Improved Self-Motivation Skills

The responsibilities of adulthood can feel overwhelming. Lifelong learners can motivate themselves to engage with topics they want to learn more about despite the many pressures in a person’s life. Taking time to engage with topics of interest can lead to lifelong learnings feeling inspired and motivated.

Adaptability

Committing to lifelong learning can lead to a better understanding of how you learn. This in turn can help you adapt information presented to you, in a format that makes the most sense. This knowledge of the learning process can support lifelong learners in situations such as needing to be trained in the workplace or acquiring new knowledge and skills in a new field of interest.

Goal Setting

When lifelong learners encounter a topic they want to learn more about, it requires setting achievable goals.

These goals can come from questions such as;

What do I intend to learn?
How long will I be learning about this topic?
How will I show what I have learned?

When setting these goals, remember to incorporate SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Personal Interests and Development

By engaging in lifelong learning, you can explore and discover more about yourself and what you can accomplish. For example, a lifelong learner could apply their newfound interest and knowledge in photography and create a book of photographs they could have published. Without committing to lifelong learning, this person may not have realized their interest in photography or realize their potential in having a printed book.

Ever Scholar's Commitment to Lifelong Learning

Committing to lifelong learning has many benefits, including new and improved personal and professional skills. Queen’s University Faculty of Education’s Ever Scholar program encourages everyone to follow their curiosity that is innate to humans and begin their commitment to lifelong learning by taking one of their free and virtual courses.

These interactive courses are taught by qualified instructors who care deeply about sharing their knowledge and expertise with the community. Designed as a lifelong-learning program for all ages, Ever Scholar provides opportunities to explore topics in art, science, and the humanities.

Currently, we will be offering three new courses this Spring 2024 semester, which include;

Wellness Practices for Everyday Life
An Introduction to Architecture.
The Ethics of Biomedical Enhancement.

To learn more about these courses and the Ever Scholar program, or to register for a session, please visit our website. We look forward to you joining our program and committing to a lifelong learning experience.