What better way to kick off a new season of learning than to highlight some of the best online resources available? As Brian and I explore our list of 52 Experiences, we’re diving into new challenges that push us to learn and grow. Honestly, who would’ve guessed that we’d be learning how to pour sloped concrete steps? Between fumbling through an intro to hardscaping, navigating a new programming language, and even improving our Excel skills, we’re gearing up for whatever comes next.
Thankfully, there are all kinds of free resources out there that make it easier than ever to learn new things.
Keep Learning
I’m a huge advocate for continuous learning and an even bigger fan of the free resources that make education widely accessible. In truth, technology can be such a double-edged sword, as we all know it can lead to countless distractions and a ton of misinformation. However, it can also connect us to invaluable resources that support our interests and personal development. The range of subjects to explore is vast, covering everything from home maintenance and financial literacy to digital skills and more.
Here are four incredible online resources that offer tools and guidance to help you level up your skills:
1. YouTube
I seriously cannot recommend YouTube highly enough! This comprehensive video-sharing platform has come a long way since its 2005 inception. Originally a space for casual, everyday videos, it has since grown into an extensive catalogue of DIY projects, academic lectures, and a whole slew of creative tutorials.
Of course, nowadays you’ll have to sift through influencer fluff and other manufactured content to find quality material. Just like most everything else in our society, YouTube is saturated with sponsored ads and other promotional posts! However, I can attest that the extra effort to seek out genuine and valuable content is well worth it.
From in-depth documentaries and coding courses to cooking lessons and more, there are all kinds of topics to explore. Brian and I have personally gained knowledge and experience in home maintenance and car repairs, largely thanks to YouTube! In fact, we regularly tune into videos focused on wellness topics, motivational content, and investment strategies.
2. Coursera
Coursera is another fantastic resource that offers free, high-quality educational content. Partnering with world-class universities and companies such as Stanford, Harvard, and Google, this platform features an impressive selection of courses that cater to various interests and skill levels.
Beyond Coursera’s paid options, which provide opportunities for earning degrees and certifications, you’ll find hundreds of free courses. Thanks to Coursera’s audit option, you can dive into course materials and videos at no cost, though this doesn’t include graded assignments or certificates. Still, it’s an incredibly convenient and accessible way to learn from top instructors and explore new subjects at your own pace!
Brian and I previously completed Life 101: Mental and Physical Self-Care, a 15-hour course through the University of California, Irvine. It was a fun, straightforward experience that allowed us to learn some self-care practices that we’ve since added to our routines. I admit we chose a subject that didn’t require any prerequisites, making it easy to follow without any serious studying or prep work. But if we’re ever itchin’ for a solid brain teaser, Coursera has us covered with its range of intermediate courses!
3. Codecademy & freeCodeCamp
There’s truly no shortage of free online resources for beginner programming lessons. We live in a time when learning to code has never been more accessible, and Codecademy is one of the best places to start as a self-taught newbie.
I’m not going to lie, I am genuinely so pumped to get into these lessons, along with a tried-and-true textbook. Codecademy would have been a dream way back in the day when I was first trying to learn C++ and Visual Basic. I definitely spent a lot of school days crying in the dark, banging my head against the desk. Thankfully, I’m pretty sure I’m past that stage, and with how Codecademy streamlines complex concepts, I should be able to follow lessons with more confidence.
This platform offers interactive lessons for languages like Python, JavaScript, and SQL, featuring a selection of free courses and a paid subscription for full access to advanced content, certifications, and real-world projects. Codecademy’s free courses cover the basics, providing just enough of an overview to begin learning the fundamentals of coding.
For a deeper dive into web development and programming, I recommend checking out freeCodeCamp. This nonprofit organization offers an entirely free platform that’s packed with an extensive curriculum filled with hands-on coding challenges. It’s an excellent option for those who learn best by doing, as it features an in-depth, project-based approach that highlights real-world applications.
I, for one, plan to kick off my lessons with a good ol’ textbook from the library, along with some guidance from Codecademy! Fingers crossed this goes way better than it did 25 years ago!
4. Libby App
What kind of thrifty person would I be if I didn’t mention the library?! A library card is the ultimate access pass to free education, entertainment, community events, and online resources! I’m honestly a little obsessed with how much our local library provides. Among the many amenities included are the various online databases that provide access to research materials and learning tools, such as Morningstar Investor, Mango Language Learning, and the Libby app.
Libby grants access to our library’s digital collection, allowing us to borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and even magazines. It’s an amazing resource for free entertainment and continuous learning. With the option to stream or download to our devices, it’s perfect for travel, making it easy to enjoy reading or listening wherever we go.
Stay Curious
What good is it to have the gift of a human brain if we’re not actively nurturing it? Our brains are extraordinary assets capable of creativity, critical thinking, and emotional depth. Honestly, it’s pretty rad that we’re able to see the complexities of the world around us and can translate that understanding into innovative actions.
Of course, to reach this potential, we need to stay curious. We must seek out new knowledge and experiences, remaining open to different perspectives that push us to learn and grow. Thankfully, there are countless online resources available that make it easier to learn new things. Life is seriously way more fun and interesting when we approach it with curiosity. There’s a lot to discover and enjoy in this lifetime, and it’s up to us to make the most of it.
So, what new skills or experiences are you curious about learning this season?
2 Responses
Other free learning opportunities are available from Hillsdale College. The liberal arts college offers courses on our country’s constitution, as well as mainstream subjects like math, history, and art. While the courses are free and you are under no obligation to pay anything, they provide a method to donate to the college to offset some of the costs they incur in making these courses. For those interested in turning their newly-acquired coding skills into physical projects, check out posts surrounding Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other small microprocessor communities. The hardware is inexpensive, the supporting integrated development environments (IDEs) are usually free to download, and most have a large group of sample code to get your juices flowing. Learn something new every day.
Great suggestions! Hillsdale College has some fantastic courses, and it’s nice to know there’s a way to support them if you choose to. Also, I agree that exploring projects through Arduino and Raspberry Pi is incredibly helpful for expanding new coding skills. With such affordable hardware and lots of online support, it’s a great excuse to keep learning and experimenting!