After 33 years in the academic world, Carol Samuelson retired from her teaching position.  Her strategy for what to do next was to take a year to explore activities that she liked and to narrow the list down to what really interested her.  She enjoyed quilting, travel and wanted time for her new grandchild.  She began to volunteer with the Chester County Historical Society one day a week.

Now, 12 years later, Carol is co-director of Family and Youth Programs for the Chester County Historical Society.   Her life is very packed with other activities.  She is an active member of her church, including playing in the hand bell choir, teaching and community outreach efforts.  She loves to travel and fulfills her  dream through trips organized by Elderhostel, the not-for-profit education travel organization for adults over age 55.

Her advice to people thinking about “retirement”,  is “I think you need to be open to think of ‘retirement’ as an opportunity to explore ideas and other things to do.  I love to travel and quilt, so leaving my full time position as a teacher gave me more time.  I can still be with the kids, but without the full-time stress. This job is fun.  I get to teach children which I love. And I don’t have to worry about the paperwork. No papers to mark, no student evaluations.”

Carol’s tips for Healthy Aging:

It’s important to be around other people.

I am a proponent of keeping physically fit.  I am careful of my diet and faithful to keeping fit.  I do yoga , tai chi and cardio fitness. 

I am fortunate to be surrounded by young people …  which keeps me young at heart.  I think I learn something new every day.  My tip is to try to surround yourself with upbeat, positive people.