As the world faces another summer of travel restrictions and scattered lockdowns, adults and children find themselves holed up indoors, having only digital access to the world outside. During this time of self-imposed isolation, it is easy to binge on a Netflix series or indulge in takeout. While these options are always great backup, they may be heavy on the pocket.
A little bit of research uncovered a world of possibilities in the digital realm – free online courses! We found it to be a productive and pocket friendly way to spend our time this summer. Below, we have shortlisted our top 3 picks:
1. Learn To Program!
In the 21st century, the academic world has seen a shift in the most sought after degrees. The conventional business and economics degrees have given way to newer realms of coding and data mining. The importance of such a skill was realized during the pandemic, where algorithms were used to streamline research and identify trends of Covid outbreaks. This has given rise to an important field, that of programming.
One of the most useful courses offered online is by the University of Toronto, called “Learn to Program – The Fundamentals.” The course is beginner friendly, and is spread out over a duration of 25 hours. Since it is offered for free on Coursera, students have the chance to set their own pace. Some of the skills students can expect to learn are as follows:
- Python Syntax And Semantics
- Computer Programming
- Python Programming
You Can Access The Course Here
2. Intro To Photography
For our more artistic readers out there, Udemy offers a free photography course, once again, geared towards beginners. While the duration of this course is a mere 2.5 hours, it promises to cover a wide range of topics for those interested in photography.
You can expect to learn the following:
- Everything from the basics of how your camera works and correct technique
- Tips for framing great photos, covering everything from rule of thirds and leading lines,
- What makes photos come out brighter or darker
- How to control exposure with exposure compensation, looking at different metering modes, histogram graphs and more
You Can Access The Course Here
3. Diploma In Makeup Artistry
This one is for all the makeup enthusiasts out there, wanting to build their base in makeup skills. Since the pandemic saw a shift to smaller, more intimate events, and an unpredictable situation regarding salons, now is as good a time as any to pick up certain basic makeup skills. All you need is your basic makeup palette and brushes.
Spanning over 17 modules, the course covers over 73 topics, and is expected to be completed in 6-10 hours. The course also provides a free assessment in the end, to gauge what you have learnt. It starts with explaining the fundamentals of skin care and tools to use, and expands to makeup for the eyes, the lips, the face etc. ensuring each facial structure is covered.
You Can Access The Course Here
While we have shortlisted our top 3 courses, be sure to check out the likes of Udemy, edX and Coursera for a wide range of courses available for free, from the comfort of your living room!
Looking for more productive ideas to spend your summer? Check out our book recommendations below!