Curiosity helped kickstart her learning journey

62-year-old Mdm Saroja has always been a curious individual. Simply knowing the basic functions of a smartphone wasn’t enough for Mdm Saroja’s inquisitiveness. There are many other functions in the smartphone, and she was keen in exploring more. Previously, Mdm Saroja tried to ask her children for help. However, she did not want to bother her children frequently and attempted to seek for alternative means instead.

 

It was then she found out about the variety of IT courses under the National Silver Academy (NSA). After taking up the NSA course Maximising the Usage of Samsung Smartphone conducted by RSVP Singapore, Mdm Saroja is more familiarised with the user interface Samsung TouchWiz, setting up the wifi, e-mail and Google account. She also understood how to better organise the photos stored in her phone and share these photos to her family and friends via WhatsApp.

 

Feeling more confident today and more connected than ever to the outside world, Mdm Saroja would say she’s much better in using a smartphone as compared to the past. "Technology has brought much convenience to my daily life, thus it is important to keep myself updated," Mdm Saroja says.

 

Besides this course, she has also taken other NSA IT courses such as Basic Computer and Smart Use of Smart Phones this year, which further improved her IT skills and enabled her to catch up with the current technology.

 

No boundaries to learning

 

Mdm Saroja also took up courses such as gardening and cooking, both of which are her long-time interests. Once Mdm Saroja sets her mind on learning, nothing can hinder her. She recalled how she once tasted Nasi Briyani that was so good, she paid the lady $100 to teach her to cook Nasi Briyani. As for gardening, one of the courses she has taken was the NSA course Urban Permaculture Workshop by Society for WINGS, which taught her how to recycle organic matter such as vegetables and herbs to make her own compost, and in turn can be used to grow microgreens from seed to harvest.

 

In the future, Mdm Saroja intends to take up more NSA courses on topics such as Live360 @ WINGS and mindfulness. "We have to keep our minds active to prevent ourselves from getting dementia. Besides, I also get to keep myself updated." Mdm Saroja explained.

 

Leading an active third age

 

Mdm Saroja is an active volunteer as she takes on the role of a senior guide at the Indian Heritage Centre, helping to organise activities during occasions like Deepavali and engaging in traditional games with the other seniors. She also goes for exercising at her house’s nearest Community Centre to maintain her physical health.

 

"It is important to participate in such activities as it allows us to stay healthy and we won’t feel so lonely. I can get to make new friends!" Mdm Saroja stated. She recommends other seniors to take up NSA courses and participate in volunteerism as she believes the importance of having a good, active lifestyle.

 

**Special thanks to Mdm Saroja d/ o Chelleppah Canagaratnam who accepted our interview, we wish her all the very best in her lifelong learning journey.

 

For a full list of short courses, click here.

 

For a full list of exam-free modules, click here.

 

For a list of ad hoc learning opportunities, click here.