In high school, I could have starred in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

Sitting in desks. Watching the clock. Passing notes rolled up inside of a pen so as not to get lunchtime detention. Boredom. That’s what it was.

But after 10 years of higher education-a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a doctorate-I have finally reached my goal to take classes for fun.

I know there is an adult education program for people my age, but I find meatier courses at City College.

While attending Cal State Fullerton, I met an older woman named Pat in my classes. We all thought it was great that she was getting her degree, but we also thought it was a little weird.

Now look at me, I’m Pat. I’m going to school with people who could be my children.

I discovered that I am a person who loves to learn. There is phrase that has been coined for people like me. They call us “lifelong learners.”

Most people of my generation, the Baby Boomers, are settling into their La-Z-Boy chairs with a bowl of Ben & Jerry’s on their lap, listening to their brain cells deteriorate as they watch TV.

I’m going back to school-a type of a Baby “Boomer-rang-er.”

But it took me a while to get here. What is it about school that makes children want to stay home sick? Is it that torturous? Can school be fun, motivating and exciting enough to make a person like me jump out of bed in the morning with a smile on my face?

Yes, it can be.

Marching through the ivory halls of academia was not a total loss. High school drill team, Madrigal Singers, baton twirling, G.A.A., school dances, Honor Roll/Dean’s List and, of course, boys!

Getting my feet wet in my first years of collegiate life at a community college was thrilling. There were all these interesting courses presented, like a sumptuous smorgasbord of learning. The opportunities were endless. My 18-unit schedule was packed with music-major requirements. I voiced a desire then that has surprisingly stuck with me all these years. I said, “Once I finish my degree, I want to take the fun classes I can’t take now.”

So, what is a lifelong learner? A lifelong learner is a person who delights in acquiring new knowledge or skills. They believe that learning is an adventure and that one is ever too young or too old to learn. Every day, they look forward to learning something new.

I’d rather be the only “Pat” at school than be sitting at home in that La-Z-Boy chair with the Ben & Jerry’s on my lap, listening to my brain cells deteriorate as I watch TV.