11 Ways to Learn for Fun

School doesn’t have to be dull and disconnected from the real world. In fact, you can take classes related to something that actually interests you in your everyday life. Check out this sampling of cool classes and get motivated to learn for fun.

Fun Class: The Art and Craft of Songwriting
Offered by: Housatonic Community College (Bridgeport, CT)
Fun with a Purpose: There's more to songwriting than scribbling down your thoughts. This eight-week, continuing education course will introduce you to the elements that make up a good song and analyze the techniques employed by various successful songwriters.

Fun Class: Introduction to Paddling and Essentials of River Canoeing
Offered by: Hulbert Outdoor Center (Fairlee, VT)
Fun with a Purpose: In this two-day American Canoe Association canoe instructor certification course, you will learn all about canoeing in flat water and moving water. What could be more fun than getting an education on the river?

Fun Class: Home Remodeling and Repair
Offered by: Penn Foster Career School (Scranton, PA)
Fun with a Purpose: Through this at-home diploma program, you will learn how to plan renovations, prepare contracts and estimates, and choose the right materials for a job. Whether you plan to become a home modeling and repair professional or you just want to work on your own house, this fun course provides the tools you need to make it happen.

Fun Class: Hand Embroidery and Appliqué Beading
Offered by: The New School (New York, NY)
Fun with a Purpose: This 12-session, credit-bearing course takes place in the studio, where you will learn how to develop designs to create garments, scarves, bags, and more. No previous sewing skills are required.

Fun Class: Beginning Cake Decorating
Offered by: Louisiana State University in Shreveport
Fun with a Purpose: No more store-bought cakes for you - if you dream of becoming an "ace of cakes," this hands-on, fun course is for you. Learn the simple designs that will make your homemade creations look like the work of a professional.

Fun Class: Casino Blackjack Dealer
Offered by: California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, CA)
Fun with a Purpose: In this online certificate program, worth 10 continuing education units, you'll learn everything you need to know to become a professional blackjack dealer. Once you complete the course, World Wide Gaming Academy advisors provide job placement assistance.

Fun Class: Creative Expressions of Nature
Offered by: St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY)
Fun with a Purpose: This one-credit course, which involves nature writing, papermaking, sketching, and poetry, is one part of the school's rigorous Adirondack Semester. The program immerses students in wild nature and engages them in a tight, supportive community of peers who live and learn together in a yurt (tent) village along the shore of Lake Massawepie.

Fun Class: Beer and Spirits
Offered by: Metropolitan State College of Denver (Denver, CO)
Fun with a Purpose: In this fun course, you will learn the principles of production, storage, and service of beer and spirits, and you will practice your bartending skills in the classroom laboratory. Upon completion of the course, you will take the National Restaurant Association's ServSafe Alcohol certification exam.

Fun Class: Triathlon Training
Offered by: Westminster College (Salt Lake City, UT)
Fun with a Purpose: Why go it alone when you could train with a group? In this summer-long continuing education course, you will learn about transitioning, nutrition, and equipment. By committing to an individualized training routine, you will learn how to run, swim, and bike faster.

Fun Class: Floral Design
Offered by: University of Louisiana at Monroe
Fun with a Purpose: Sure, you could take this course to prepare for the florist licensing exam, or you might just want to learn how to create beautiful arrangements for your home and for special events. You'll get hands-on practice with bridal and corsage work, funeral pieces, and holiday and party designs.

Fun Class: Basic Crossword Puzzle Construction
Offered by: Lawrence University (Appleton, WI)
Fun with a Purpose: This weeklong, non-credit course is one of the Bjorklunden Seminars, a series of popular adult summer seminars held at an estate on the shore of Lake Michigan. Throughout the course, you will explore the nuts and bolts of the crossword puzzle process, including theme development, grid building, word-fill selection, clue writing, and submission of the finished puzzle for publication.

Why settle for boring when you can find ways to learn for fun?

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