A few years post-university, the unthinkable happens. You actually start to miss learning. Which is weird. Because when you were paying silly amounts to learn things at university, you weren't really into it all that much.
But working, repetitive social situations and a daily scheduled life can become humdrum. The brain yearns for more. But how to feed it?
Luckily, more and more courses, classes, workshops, lecture series and the like are popping up all over London as we millennials strive to fill our leisure hours with "experiences".
So whether you know what you want to learn about or have absolutely no idea where your interests lie, read on for some inspiration for how to re-engage your brain.
What if I don't know what I want to do?
If your approach to choosing a degree was a bit like closing your eyes and pointing your finger somewhere vaguely near the English Literature section of the prospectus (hello), then you're probably still at a loss as to where your real interests lie.
To find out, have a look through the courses offered by the following venues and organisations and see what it is that takes your fancy.
Who knows, you might even find a new hobby.
Adult learning
While we might grumble about London being unaffordable, very rarely do we look to take advantage of the deals our local councils are waving right under our nose.
Each borough in the capital has a full roster of heavily discounted adult learning classes taking place all week, on a variety of different topics. Take Lewisham, for instance: the southeast borough offers everything from a 10-week beginners' class on pottery and throwing, to jewellery making, cookery, photography, film studies and gardening.
What's on offer differs from borough to borough, as do prices, but usually classes are a darn sight cheaper than you'd find elsewhere (yoga for £7 a go anyone?), with heavy discounts for students. Just google "adult learning" in your borough to find out what's available to you.
Hackney Arts
This initiative, based in Netil House in (surprise) east London, is designed to get you feeling creative and give local artists a platform.
Their autumn 2017 schedule has got some fun workshops going on – like learning to sing, screen-printing, floristry, henna and African drumming.
Most workshops are about £20 and last a few hours. Check out their full line-up here.
The School Of Life
For those with a profound sense of wonder, struggling to find meaning in social situations, the School Of Life holds one-off sessions, workshops and talks on some of life's most interesting subjects.
Coming up there are classes on how to be sociable (these always sell out, for some reason), how to be calm, how to fail, what the meaning of life is and much more.
It's not cheap – most shorter sessions are £55 while full day workshops run into the hundreds of pounds.
See their programme here.
City Lit
Everyone's first thought when the subject of evening classes comes up. City Lit has courses on just about everything. Want to learn the Charleston? No problem. Massage? Sure thing. The list goes on: self defence, criminology, American history, web design, chess, physics... Basically, if you want to learn how to do it, City Lit will teach you.
Courses are pretty reasonable, although the prices do differ across some subjects. There are, of course, concessions available too.
Check out the extensive list of City Lit courses here.
National Portrait Gallery
If you're not into long-term commitment and just fancy learning a little something over your lunch break, head to one of the National Portrait Gallery's Lunchtime Lectures. They happen more or less every two weeks, last an hour, and cost just £3 (£2 for students).
Upcoming topics include The Russian Revolution and British Society, and a talk from internationally renowned sculptor Nicola Hicks.
Check out their full programme here.
International House London
If languages are of interest and you're just about fed up to the back teeth with Duolingo and other apps that promised you'd be able to speak fluent Spanish by now, head over to International House London for a full range of courses in a huge variety of languages.
They offer group lessons and one-on-one coaching. Each level takes 24 weeks to complete and it's £150 for six weeks.
Find out which languages you could learn here.
But what if I know what I want to do?
Good for you! You've done the hard bit. Now all you've got to do is learn about your new interest.
For every interest, there's a huge selection of courses and workshops running in specialised environments.
Read on to find out the best of what's on offer.
For people interested in upping their food skills
Master baker PAUL's classes promise to unlock the secrets of French bread, and bring the smell of freshly made baguettes to your kitchen. You'll leave the class with recipes, your own dough and a luxury baker's kit – there'll be no need to resort to Hovis ever again.
Leith’s occasionally have open days which feature mini-workshops and the chance to speak to existing students and experts, a great opportunity for anyone seriously considering a change of career.
Have a lollipop party at Spun Candy’s sweet workshops or, if you want to cut out your shop-bought coffee habit for good, take a class at the Department of Coffee.
For those who want to learn about (and drink) booze
Are you always in search of the perfect pint? London's very own Meantime Brewing Company runs one of the world's most beloved brewery tours where you can taste your way through their range of brews and see how they're made.
Want to get even closer to the action? UBREW in Brixton offers beginner courses to show you how to start your very own microbrewery.
Subterranean speakeasy Reverend JW Simpson's Spirited Sermons offer an evening of diving into different liquors, with guest speakers, tastings and cocktails.
Prefer to to drink with friends? Get a group together for a trip to east London's TT Liquor and learn to mix your own bespoke cocktails at one of their custom bars. You can even take over the whole place, if you have something to celebrate.
Take a sip of the illicit at The Sun Tavern with a personally tailored tasting of poitín, traditional Irish moonshine. Each tasting includes two poitín-based cocktails and four varieties of this (now legal) Gaelic moonshine.
Can't tell your Jacob's Creek from your Oyster Bay? High-end wine shop Hedonism Wines offers completely free drop-in classes, where anyone can sample the produce of the very best vineyards and hear talks from wine industry insiders.
Meantime Brewing Company Tours, £20
UBREW Beginner Brewing Course, £40
Reverend JW Simpson Spirited Sermons £30
Poitin tasting at The Sun Tavern, from £25
For the craft curious
If your walls are looking a little bare, Libreria's risograph workshops let you create your very own wall art, even if you've never held a brush before. All materials are provided, as well as a cheeky beer, and you'll leave with 15 totally unique A3 prints.
No garden to enjoy? Create your own tiny ecosystem with London Terrariums workshops and bring the greenery inside.
Want to bring the ceramics trend into your home? Sign up for a 12-week course at Turning Earth and learn how to master all things clay.
If your kitchen needs a little love, you can seriously impress your housemates and learn how to carve your own cutlery with Grain and Knot.
London Terrariums workshops, from £40
Risograph printing workshop, £47.50
For creatives
Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to creative workshops in the city. Want to learn how to print? Print Club London will show you how to personalise everything from a T-shirt to a tote.
If drawing’s more your thing, pop along to Adrian Dutton’s life-drawing classes in locations all over east London.
The Funny Women Time of the Month comedy show is better than that thing on your Netflix list. For an extra £10, budding comedians can swap scripts and get writing advice before the show.
Learn how to make do and mend with sewing classes at Sew Over It. Once you've learnt to thread your needle, you can use the café there to get your new project going for £6 an hour (there’s unlimited tea, too).
Beginner workshops at Print Club London, £55
Sewing taster session at Sew Over It, £50
For future wellbeing gurus
Let’s talk wellbeing. Inner Space in Covent Garden is dedicated to it, with totally free guided meditation sessions in the evenings, and Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday talks on subjects such as habits of happiness, how to focus better and combating tiredness.
Bit serious for you? Go climb some trees in the park at Alexandra Palace. For £20 a session, the people at Big Tree Climbing will guide you up a giant one, so you can feel like a kid again (minus the grazed knees).
Did you know Neal’s Yard host workshops, too? Book a spot on the juicing or superfood course at the Covent Garden store for £40 and get 20% off products while you’re there.
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