How Berkeley Adult School Helps Older Students Continue to Grow
We’ve all experienced it. You’re going about your daily life – driving in traffic, standing in line at the grocery store – and something happens that makes you angry. You know it’s not a useful response, but you let it affect the rest of your day.
Rebecca, a retired community college counselor, has spent the last four years developing strategies for dealing with these daily frustrations. Since 2020, she’s been taking the Mindfulness Meditation course offered by Berkeley Adult School as part of its Lifelong Learning program.
She credits the course for helping her be more present and less reactive in her daily life.
“When I thought about retirement, I thought it would be all about resting. I never expected to have my brain opened up so much. I never expected to grow.”
Rebecca, Berkeley Adult School Student
“If I’m truly in a mindful space, I’m not reacting,” she explains. “I’m being there and noticing. Even if I’m having a feeling, I don’t have to dwell in it. If I feel angry that that guy cut me off in traffic, I can notice the feeling and say, ‘These are the facts.’ He cut me off and it startled me. It’s over now, and I can move on.”
Rebecca has taken other courses within Lifelong Learning and she’s enjoyed them all. But it’s Mindfulness Meditation with Donna Davis that she’s come back to every semester for the last four years.
She is far from the only one.
“The class feels like a community,” she says. “A lot of the other students have been taking the class even longer than I have. And people are so enthusiastic about it. During the summer, when Donna’s not teaching, people still get together to practice.”
Rebecca credits her for creating this communal environment as well as for the individual progress she’s made at being mindful.
“Donna is an incredible teacher. She’s prepares really well for each class. She brings things in that go together—different readings and meditations. Every week there’s something new. It’s amazing.”
Rebecca’s newfound skills have helped her with more than just daily frustrations. She acts as a mentor for another program she’s involved with. She’s found that the ability to be present has made her a better listener.
“Twice now, within the past few months, people have commented on my ability to track and follow what they’re saying,” she says. “I’m talking with people who are in crisis. Their thoughts aren’t always organized. But I’m able to mirror back what they’re saying. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.”
What makes this even more striking is that Rebecca was already a trained listener. In her role as a counselor, she spent the last several decades listening professionally.
But just because you’re retired doesn’t mean self-improvement should end. This ability to continue learning has come as a welcome surprise to Rebecca, and she’s grateful to Berkeley Adult School for making it possible. While Lifelong Learning classes are geared toward students 55 and up, everyone is welcome to enroll. The courses span from Contemporary Film to Spanish Conversation.
“When I thought about retirement, I thought it would be all about resting. I never expected to have my brain opened up so much. I never expected to grow.”
To find out what Berkeley Adult School can do for you, visit bas.berkeleyschools.net or call (510) 644-6130.
Written by Raul Clement
| Regions | Classes |
|---|---|
| Bay Area California | Enrichment |
