Well, you know what? It’s never too late. And now there are more opportunities to broaden your knowledge, learn a new skill and just plain have a good time doing something for yourself than ever before. It could even help you get a better job.

Life in the 21st century is lived at a hectic pace. Our free time is scarce and, with each passing year, it’s becoming more and more precious. The thought of actually making a regular commitment to a class – even if it’s something we’d really like to do – can be daunting.

But the benefits are worth considering; here are just a few reasons to take the plunge:

First and foremost, there’s no point doing it if you’re not going to get something out of it. And it must be your choice and your decision. No-one should force you into it. You are going to need commitment and drive to complete your course, and if you are not interested in the subject matter, forget it; it’s a non-starter. You will get the most satisfaction out of a course you enroll in if there’s something in it for you. Like asking the way to the beach next time you’re on holiday in Spain – and understanding the response?

Don’t be put off if you’re feeling a little rusty or out of touch. Enrolling in a night course is one of the most effective ways to shake off the dust of day-to-day pressures that have a habit of settling on your thought processes and creativity. By actively engaging in a stimulating challenge of your own choosing, you may discover fresh mental and physical resources you never knew you had. And you won’t be alone.

Many people who take an evening class are returning to complete a formal education that circumstances would not allow them to finish when they were youngsters. These days, it’s hard enough to find a job if you’re a graduate with a 1st class honours degree but for someone who, for whatever reason, was failed by the education system first time around, it can be a nightmare. Adults, who sign up for literacy and numeracy classes or take a GCSE/A-Level course, give themselves a fresh footing in a society where information and the ability to communicate are all.

Learning a new skill often brings with it new confidence and a self-reliance that comes with overcoming a challenge. But the subject matter doesn’t have to be of everyday practical use such as a computer course. Taking up ballroom dancing, Tai Chi, floristry or golf can provide as a great a sense of achievement as mastering Ancient Greek as long as you are hungry to learn and if a completely foreign skill can be mastered then you know that you are well-prepared for any old challenge life may throw at you.

But it’s not just the physical benefits that you’ll feel: exercising the mind is just as important to our overall well-being. Actively engaging in a night class can help sustain your powers of memory and concentration, and possibly even stave off forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s. As one American researcher, Dr Gary Small of UCLA, put it, “It’s the use-it-or-lose-it theory. If you keep your brain cells active it improves their efficiency”.

Many courses in literacy and numeracy are free, and you may not have to pay for tuition if you’re going for your first qualification equivalent to GCSEs or A levels. There’s a wider range of free courses available if you’re on income-related benefits, and there are opportunities for everyone to learn for free online.

Visit: www.direct.gov.uk and click on the Education and learning link.