Short courses are great ways to pick up a new skill and enrich your quality of life. Popular short courses include computer classes, yoga and fitness sessions, makeup and beauty courses.
Unlike professional short courses such as management or software courses, providers offering short courses for fun usually do not have academic prerequisites, and range in length from a day to three-month period. With a wide range of topics and study options, there is a short course to suit everyone.
Many options, many modes
Depending on your hobby or interest, there are many Neighbourhood Houses – local community centres that offer low or no-cost activities – and community colleges across the nation, which provide a variety of fun and short courses. Often, Neighbourhood Houses require membership to receive certain privileges such as preferential rates on its courses.
Selected Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions also offer short courses such as creative writing or first aid, and these courses usually require a minimum number of participants before commencing its classes. Short courses at TAFE institutions are either held over two to three hourly sessions, full-day workshops or over six to eight weeks.
Some short courses, which do not require face-to-face interaction, may be delivered as an online course. You would need to have internet access and a computer system compatible with the service provider’s virtual learning tools and relevant materials.
Benefits of studying for fun
Some studies have suggested that people who take part in activities that engage the mind are less likely to suffer from dementia in later years. Exercising the brain is not only beneficial to your mental health, studying for fun also puts you in touch with people who share the same interests as you, widening your social circle.
Some short courses such as culinary classes, jewellery making or photography classes have led to new careers where participants become freelance designers and photographers with their newly learnt skills.
Costs and commitments
Before committing to a short course, it is important to carry out some research on the short courses provider and the credentials of the trainer.
The cost of short courses vary according to the service providers. Neighbourhood Houses and community colleges tend to offer subsidised rates for its short courses at fees ranging from $20 – $90 per class. Short courses such as painting, jewellery making or language courses may incur extra costs towards the purchasing of relevant materials, so be sure to check on any hidden costs before applying and paying for your course.
Other short courses such as creative writing or photography may incur a higher fee, ranging from between $200 – $450, as lecturers or qualified professionals are invited to provide the training.
Cooking classes can range from a 2.5 hours session to a six-week course. Some restaurants also offer culinary lessons to the public, which are popular activities for team bonding, bucks or hens parties. In such cases, separate price packages can be negotiated on a bulk group basis.
In the case of learning a foreign language, there will be different entry points such as beginner, intermediate or advanced levels. You may be required to take basic entry tests to gauge your aptitude for the course.
It is also important to ensure that the location of the short courses is convenient for you to get to.
Lastly, before you sign on the dotted line, be sure to check on the cancellation policy of the short course that you are interested in, as you need to know your options in the event you postpone or cancel your short course.