Social Distancing Boredom -109 Universities Offering Free Courses

For parents, if we've heard it once, we've heard it a thousand times.


"I'm bored."

Stay at home, shelter in place, lockdown, curfew... and that other thing we dare not mention....we might just die of a boredom, long before the Covid-19 can infect us.





Free Education 

Lots of companies have stepped up and chipped in to do their part to help people get through this pandemic.  Electric companies have pledged to not disconnect service for non-payment. Restaurants and convenience stores have offered free coffees and other beverages to first responders and other front line workers.  Even the Federal government of the United States has not only put forth stimulus packages to help people out with extra cash, they've also put a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures so that people who found themselves out of work wouldn't also find themselves homeless.

And now... these 109 Universities are offering free courses.

Of course, you're not going to get a diploma or a degree, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to be gained by expanding your mind and learning new things.

And it also doesn't mean that learning a new skill won't help you increase your income, even without that degree.

Computer programming, for example, is a skill that you could put to use part-time as a freelance programmer.

Business courses are another way to boost your income.  Some jobs may be willing to hire or promote staff based on an ability to demonstrate needed skills if without the degree plus, these skills are useful if you ever decide to start your own business.

Maybe money isn't your primary motivation to learn new things though.  Perhaps you're interested in other things like art or personal development. 

Take a look at the various courses offered by these universities. Not only can it help you to expand your horizons, but kids tend to 'do what we do,' (just not what we 'say') and if your children see you bettering yourself through education, they'll be that much more likely to do the same themselves.

And you don't have to limit yourself to "University" course work either. 

If increasing your skill set, and your value to employers, is something you need or want to do, Coursera is offering free certificates for 115 courses.

And of course... if you're aspirations aren't quite that high, but there are a few things you've always thought you might like to learn, there's always YouTube.

You can find tutorials on just about anything on YouTube. I've found videos on "How to Paint Beginner's Acrylics Course," and this "Italian Course for Beginners."

Keep your mind active... and your body will follow.