As we’re all feeling the impact of the stay-at-home orders around Chicagoland, many people are understandably going a little crazy spending more time than ever indoors. As we all try to figure out what to do with our time, some people are turning to personal development as a solution.

Think about it: what if you could actually come out of the pandemic with a brand new skillset that could enhance your life in various ways? Whether you are interested in professional development or just learning more about a subject of interest, there are a number of online platforms for free, high-quality courses that are available to anyone.

Here are some suggestions to check out:

1. Edx & Coursera

You’ve probably heard that a number of top universities released some of their courses free of charge a few years ago. Edx and Coursera are great platforms to access these, and offer free coursework from the likes of Harvard, MIT, and Caltech, among many others. For a nominal fee, you can even get a certificate of your completion of certain courses.

2. LinkedIn Learning

Formerly known as Lynda.com, LinkedIn Learning is a great resource for professional development, featuring classes on business, software development, and web design, but also more eclectic subjects like photography and music.

3. HubSpot Academy

For marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, or others who think they may benefit from learning more about how marketing works. HubSpot Academy offers dozens of free courses, as well as certifications that are actually recognized in the marketing industry and can help your career track.

We hope these resources help you kill some time and learn something new this season!