Once, “college seniors” meant 21-year-olds in caps and gowns. Today, that label includes older adults returning to campus — not for credentials, but for curiosity, growth, and purpose. In a recentMarketplace podcast episode, Stephanie Hughes shared how some retirement communities are partnering with colleges to offer immersive educational experiences for older learners. Forget bingo and bridge — these students are embracing courses on history, social justice, tech, and even TikTok.

This shift is more than clever marketing. It represents a culture-changing realization: lifelong learning is essential for a fulfilling 100-year life.

Learning Beyond Graduation

For many baby boomers, college was a defining time — not just for academics, but for identity, activism, and connection. Reentering academic environments taps into that rich history, while fulfilling a deep need for continued growth.

But lifelong learning doesn’t have to look like traditional education. The Age Brilliantly mindset reframes learning as something broader and more dynamic. It includes:

• Taking online courses in subjects that spark joy or support a career transition
• Traveling to explore new cultures and perspectives
• Joining discussion groups or communities likeCoursera,MasterClass, orGreat Courses
  
• Learning through volunteering, mentoring, and storytelling
• Leveraging technology like virtual reality or simulations to experience history, science, or public speaking in immersive ways

Who’s Partnering?

The trend of pairing universities with retirement communities is growing. These partnerships allow retirees to live near or on campus, audit classes, and engage in intergenerational dialogue. But why stop there?

The opportunity lies in expanding partnerships:

• Multigenerational housing developments
• Local libraries, museums, and civic centers
• Healthcare systems and wellness centers offering educational tracks on caregiving, health, or aging science
• Faith communities and social clubs hosting hybrid learning meetups

The more we blend learning into daily life and multiple institutions, the more accessible it becomes.

What Do People Want to Learn?

That’s the golden question. Surprisingly, few institutions have researched this deeply. What we do know is:

• The Yale course on happiness (also offered free viaCoursera) became one of the most popular online courses in the world — across all ages.
• Interest is growing in courses focused on purpose, caregiving, emotional intelligence, legacy planning, financial longevity, and community-building.
• Mature learners want more than just information — they want connection, relevance, and ways to apply what they’ve learned to improve their lives and their communities.

What Technologies Could Make This Even Better?

We’ve only scratched the surface of how people can learn today. Technologies transforming lifelong learning include:

• VR and AR: Tools likeEngage andMeta’s Immersive Learning enable learners to “walk through” a moment in history or a complex medical concept.
• AI tutors and companions: Platforms likeKhanmigo and ChatGPT provide adaptive, interactive learning support.
• Microlearning apps: Bite-sized, habit-driven tools likeBlinkist orDuolingo make daily learning feel like a game.

What About Learners in Midlife?

While much of the buzz surrounds retirees, the real demand might lie with adults aged 30–60 — the ones trying to pivot careers, care for aging parents, or plan for financial and emotional longevity. These learners want practical, engaging, and flexible learning formats — and they’re turning to platforms likeUdemy,edX, and curated communities likeModern Elder Academy to help navigate their next chapters.

Are you investing in lifelong learning — and if so, how? What would you love to learn if time, money, and access weren’t barriers? What institutions should step up to support this movement? Join the conversation in the Age Brilliantly Forum and share your ideas on how learning can (and should) evolve for the modern 100-year life.