You’re enrolled in a degree program and everything is going as planned, but you’re still looking for ways to diversify your skillset and stand out from other job applicants. Or maybe you’ve already graduated, but you want to make sure you stay on top of ever-changing standards in your field. Or maybe you just really want to scratch the itch to learn something new, even if it has nothing to do with your current career.
No matter your motivations, expanding your knowledge is a noble cause. There are plenty of ways to spend your spare time online, but why not choose some that could better you personally or professionally? Perhaps even develop a skill to help round out your resume.
Where should you go to get started? We rounded up eight great resources that provide of a wealth of knowledge for anyone looking to learn something new.
Learn something new using these 8 resources
1. Khan Academy®
Khan Academy® is a fantastic first stop for anyone looking to brush up on their educational fundamentals. This entirely free site offers courses and materials for subjects ranging from elementary math to college-level organic chemistry. Has it been a while since high school and you’re worried about an upcoming class like college algebra? This gives you an excellent way to refresh your memory and catch up on any concepts you may missed. There’s also excellent options for adult learners—with courses covering personal finance, careers and grammar that can all be a huge benefit for your personal life.
2. Duolingo
Learning a foreign language can be difficult, but being proficient in another language is an in-demand skill in many industries. That’s why Duolingo is at the top of the list for online language learning programs.
Free for all users, Duolingo provides language learning tools, starting at the very basics and monitoring your progress with quizzes and tests while allowing you to move along at your own pace. Now you can fill your spare time with the fun challenge of learning a language and building up your resume.
3. YouTube
Not only useful for its abundance of cat videos, YouTube is also an ever-growing source of how-to videos on just about any topic you can imagine.
You can find videos to help you master computer programs such as Microsoft Word or Excel, Photoshop or Google Earth. Maybe you’re interested in learning the basics of coding a website. No matter which skill you’re looking to add to your resume, YouTube is a free resource that can teach you just about anything.
4. Egghead
If you want to dip your toes into learning a new tech skill, Egghead is a great place to start. This online resource provides several free lessons for learning the basics of a wide variety of programming and tech subjects, with an arsenal of videos and podcasts to guide you through lessons.
5. How Stuff Works
If you’re truly a lifelong learner, chances are your thirst for knowledge will be quenched by How Stuff Works. This website boasts in-depth information on topics ranging from engineering and robotics to the animal kingdom and extinct species.
Short on free time? How Stuff Works is also available as a podcast, making it easier than ever to brush up on your knowledge of everything under the sun during your daily commute or while making dinner.
6. Udemy
While it’s not a free resource, Udemy does offer plenty of relatively inexpensive courses for learners. Maybe you have a Marketing degree from a while back but are now applying to a job in the fast-changing digital marketing space—a few quick courses here can help you catch up and feel confident in your ability to hit the ground running in a new role. Or if you’re thinking of going back to school to switch careers, this can be a great way to try and see how well you handle a new subject area before making a full commitment. With a library of 55,000 online courses, you’re sure to find some useful options.
7. Investopedia
Earning a higher salary won’t help you much if you don’t know how to manage your money. Investopedia provides you with tools to learn everything there is to know about investing, the stock market and your personal finances.
Investopedia provides a range of resources for different types of learners, including informational articles, videos, tutorials and even some study tools to help you prepare for different certification exams. Investopedia is a step toward success, showing you how to make and save money while developing smart money-management skills for your resume.
8. Your local public library
Call it old fashioned, but there’s a reason people have been visiting the library for self-improvement and learning for years—it works! Most local libraries charge only a small fee for access to an incredible wealth of knowledge. While not all library systems have equal offerings, odds are it’s not just a collection of books to peruse. Many library systems offer free online courses and resources, as well as ebooks and audiobooks to check out. It’s at the very least worth your time to dig into your community’s library system and see what they have to offer—you may be surprised.
What will you learn?
You’re now equipped with eight great resources to help you learn something new to potentially help bolster your resume. You’ve got no more excuses for wasting your free time. Channel your drive for success and get out there and learn something new!
If you’re thinking of learning something new as a way to change your career path, there’s more you should consider. Check out our article, “10 Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Changing Careers” to learn more.
Khan Academy® is a registered trademark of Khan Academy, Inc.
