More than learning: how adult courses can help you make new connections
Making friends as an adult can be harder than we expect.
School, university and work can all create natural opportunities to meet people, but as life changes, those opportunities can become less frequent. Moving to a new area, changing jobs, working from home or simply finding yourself with more time on your hands can all mean our social circles change too.
That’s one reason adult courses can offer something that goes beyond learning a new skill or gaining a qualification.
At East Sussex College, our adult courses bring people together around shared interests, whether that’s getting creative, learning a language, developing a new professional skill or simply trying something you’ve always wanted to have a go at.
And sometimes, the people you meet along the way can become just as important as what you learn.
A reason to get out, meet people and try something new
Starting something new can feel daunting, particularly if you’re walking into a classroom where you don’t know anyone.
But everyone is there for a reason. They’re learning something new, developing an interest or taking a step towards a different goal. That shared experience gives you something to talk about from the very first session.
Over time, familiar faces become people you recognise, conversations continue between lessons and what starts as a course can become part of your weekly routine.
You don’t have to arrive expecting to make new friends. Sometimes it happens naturally simply because you’re spending time with people who have something in common with you.
Learning can bring people together
There’s something different about meeting people through an activity.
Instead of the pressure of having to make conversation from the outset, you have something to focus on together. You might be discussing a task, helping someone with an exercise, sharing ideas or simply having a chat before the lesson starts.
That can make it easier to get to know people naturally.
Our adult courses cover everything from creative and practical hobbies to languages, wellbeing and professional qualifications. There are short courses for trying something new, as well as longer courses for those looking to gain a qualification or change direction.
Community learning courses can also help you build confidence, develop essential skills or prepare for further learning and employment. The course fee may be waived if you’re receiving recognised benefits or have an annual income of less than £26,800.
Whether you’re picking up a creative hobby, learning a language, building your confidence or developing essential skills, an adult course can help you take the next step. Community learning can also support you in preparing for further learning or employment, improving your health and wellbeing, or gaining the skills and confidence to support your family and contribute to your local community. Along the way, you’ll have regular opportunities to meet people, share experiences and become part of a group.
It’s never too late to learn something new
Adult learning isn’t only about what you want to achieve at the end of a course. It can also be about what happens along the way.
For some people, returning to education is a chance to develop their career or gain a qualification. For others, it’s about finally making time for an interest they’ve always wanted to explore.
And for many, it can simply be a positive reason to get out, meet people and do something for themselves.
You don’t need to have studied the subject before. You don’t need to know anyone when you arrive.
And you certainly don’t need to have everything figured out before you take that first step.
You just need to be willing to give something new a try.
Find your people at East Sussex College
From drawing and ceramics to sewing, baking, languages, dance and wellbeing, there are plenty of ways to learn something new at East Sussex College while meeting people from your local community.
Our adult courses include both short leisure courses and qualifications, with options available across our campuses and online.
So if there’s something you’ve always wanted to learn, why not give it a go?
You might leave with a new skill, a new qualification or a new hobby.
You might also leave knowing a few more people than you did when you walked through the door.
Curious? Explore our adult courses and find something for you: https://adult.escg.ac.uk/