Of a certain age: Learning

>» Can I even do this?

Karen Segal
Contributor

 

’m Googling, “Can an over-50 brain learn
a lot of facts/words/ideas that are new to
them without their head exploding?”

I’m taking two classes this term, one of
which is Human Anatomy and Physiology.
I haven't taken any kind of science classes
in over 30 years, since “biology without the
lab” at the University of Manitoba in the
80s.

Now more than five weeks into the
class, I am realizing more than ever how
difficult it really is for me. To be fair, it isn’t
only difficult for me; biology classes are

challenging for many students.

So how do I go about memorizing so
much material?

The professor suggests mind-
mapping—a seemingly-complex method of
creating a diagram organizing information.
My niece, a nursing student, suggests
making flashcards. I decided to take the
advice of both of them—-sort of. I use
Quizlet online, a service that offers free
study tools to help you learn, which I have
found helpful. That being said, at the
moment I’m flash-carding through tissue
types. There are endless subcategories and
examples. I’m kind of frustrated. I want to
work with seniors when I graduate from
the program, and it’s a bit hard to see right

Three ways to add
some orange

» Celebrate the orange beauty of
fall through your wardrobe

Naomi Ambrose
Staff Writer

 

fF is here, and that means orange

is near! Orange colours are visible
throughout the fall landscape—take a

look at the orange leaves for example. In
addition to brightening your surroundings,
there are psychological benefits to
embracing orange. Orange “helps being
social and it brings you out of being in your
shell,” said colour therapy expert Constance
Hart in a Vogue interview.

I say let’s celebrate the beauty of the
season by adding different shades of orange
into our fall wardrobe. Here’s a few items
that may help you to do that:

 

Illustration by
Cara Seccafien

Multi-shade orange scarves

If youre like me, you probably like to have
different items in a different shade of the
same colour. You can achieve a similar
multi-shade colour effect with two types of
orange scarves. For example, let’s start to
show our love for orange scarves by wearing
a light, shimmery, cinnamon-coloured
scarf.

This light scarf works well during the
light, cool fall days. The addition of the
airy, shimmery fabric that is intricately
sewn into the scarf adds some sparkle to
the orange scarf and your overall fall look.
When autumn gets a bit cooler, a bright
orange cashmere scarf is wondrous. Add
the orange cashmere scarf as part of your
outerwear look with your jacket, woolen
knitted sweater, or cardigan. If you want
to add some more pizazz to your orange
scarves, feel free to wear the scarf with a

frayed or frilled border.

Honey orange tote bag

Strut into the coffee shop, or your next

job interview, while you proudly carry

your honey tote bag. The honey tote bag

is also an excellent reminder to carry your
essential items with joy and a sweet smile
that radiates and shines. Combine your
tote bag with your orange scarf and you will
be on your way to embrace the signature
colour of the season.

Ginger-coloured, low-heeled ankle
boots

Step into the orange world of fall wearing

a pair of ginger-coloured, low-heeled

ankle boots. In addition to enjoying the
comfort of low-heeled ankle boots, a pair of
ginger-coloured ones will surely put some
pep in your step when you stroll into your
next class or your upcoming work or social
event.

The ginger boots will now complete
your orange autumn look—with your
honey orange tote bag and your orange
scarf. You are now ready to embrace and
celebrate the wonderful and beautiful
orange world of fall.

now how tissue memorization will help
me to work with and develop recreation
programs for the elderly, though I’m sure it
will be important in the long run.

I’ve also decided to take advantage
of available technology. YouTube has a
wealth of short videos on every one of the
topics we are studying, from skin to cells to
tissues. CrashCourse and other channels
like it present material in a clear and often
humorous fashion. Back in my day, we had
to go to the library and look through stacks
of index cards for the books we wanted, not
to mention the encyclopedias my parents
had bought from a door-to-door salesman
back in the ’6os.

Tam also discovering that studying

  

   

Le A

ue pele tere _

  
  
 

for about two hours at a time and every day
is agood idea. Cramming won't work for
me here. It is almost like the material has
to settle into my brain. I am beginning to
recall that this is how I learned back in the
early 80s when I was working toward my
degree.

The upcoming midterm has me a bit
terrified. However, I hear my late mother’s
voice in my head—“Just do your best”—and
I tear up and think yes, Mom, you were
always right about that. I will say that with
the fear comes excitement. I feel like I’m
really using my brain for the first time in a
long time. Some of the facts I am learning
I find rather fascinating. My brain seems to
be loving learning new things.

Image via studymesoftly on Tumblr

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