Crafts are an intellectual activity which helps to keep your brain healthy. You can exercise your brain as you enjoy your craft. A win-win situation!

Many of finalists in Learning in Later Life Campaign 2000 to find England's oldest and most inspiring learners had crafts, especially painting, as their pastimes.

England's Oldest Learner was Fred Moore who was then aged 107 years. Fred continued with art classes until he died at age of 109. The manager of his residential home said "Fred was a remarkable chap. He kept his memory, going back to death of Queen Victoria, and always retained his great sense of humour."

Painting is an excellent hobby. It can be done both indoors and outdoors. You can paint by yourself or with others in an art group.

So message is clear - take up a new hobby and keep your brain in shape. It is never too late to start. Local night classes offer a range of options. Visit painting section at www.learnanddo.com for a free preview of The Acrylic Painting Course. This preview takes you step-by-step to completing your first painting.

Craft your way to a stress-free life!

Windows may be furnished with curtains. If curtains are passable, personalize them with trim added with safety pins or removable Velcro®. Scarves or fabric can create temporary swags and accents. If there are no curtains, make a rod from anything right length…a bamboo pole, baseball bat or lacrosse stick, or PVC pipe. Dress with ribbons in various lengths, ropes of artificial ivy, old neckties, sheets buttoned on to rod. Or purchase curtains or blinds, purchased to fit window width and length.

Walls, windows and floors complete, beds are largest objects in room. If cost of a new comforter is prohibitive, sheets make a bed in a bag with just straight seams sewn or glued, to refresh an old comforter. Whether buying new or creating new, consider a reversible comforter for two different looks and quick camouflage for spills. Many schools use extra-long twin beds, be certain that sheet sets will accommodate extra length.

Storage is biggest hurdle in most dorm rooms. In addition to purchased closet organizer systems, do-it-yourself storage can make sense. Heavy duty cardboard boxes with lids (copier paper boxes or shipping boxes) can be covered with fabric or paper to make storage for sweaters or old class notes. Hat boxes from thrift shops are great even unadorned. Plastic hooks are readily available, but only limit is imagination for alternate hooks and hangers. Old drawer pulls, catcher’s masks, even bent silverware makes unique holders.

Lighting is key for studies. Lamp kits can turn any heavy base into a functional lighting source. Keep with theme of room and create an accent lamp from a childhood toy, garden statue or sports souvenir. A store bought lamp is transformed with a shade embellished with ticket stubs or photos. Holiday mini-lights can be festooned across a ceiling for accent lighting.

Accessories for room are endless. Keep a list in mind of what is needed first, then add accents as budget allows. The best and least expensive place to shop is at home. An existing lamp or bean bag chair may be just right for dorm. Summer garage sales and thrift shops can uncover unique finds for lamps, storage and electronics. Internet shopping gives a fast and thorough overview of available items.

Without spending big bucks of average college student, a dorm room can be a place of refuge after a hectic day of classes that really feels like home.