Turning Your Home Into a School

Just because life “happened,” and you never made it to college doesn’t mean that you can’t be learning and improving all the time. Even if going to school now is out of the question due to family obligations and budgetary restraints, there are still ways to learn, and also earn degrees and certifications from home.

Free and low-cost online classes

Many online schools and universities provide free information access and offer courses that let you learn hobbies, software, and even curriculum for credit.

• edX offers courses from many of the country’s top institution and even universities from other countries. You can take classes in computer science, languages, business, and even engineering. And these courses are taught by professors from Harvard, MIT, The University of Texas, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University among other top tier schools.
• Take low-cost courses from Udemy and choose from over 100,000 classes. Learn at your pace and on your schedule. Hone your skills in design, photography, software, marketing, business, and more subjects. And find courses in non-English languages as well, including Español, Português, Français, and others.
• Attend an online-only school such as Western Governors’ University, founded by a group of state governors to offer a different form of education. Students take courses utilizing cutting-edge technology in non-traditional school terms to learn differently, master concepts, and earn degrees.
• You can even study artificial intelligence, robotics, and other ground-breaking and innovative courses through Udacity. Study with industry thought leaders and learn world-class programs.

Also, there are a host of other free courses and classes streaming live on fitness, home repair, cooking, and myriad other subjects. As long as you have access to a device—computer, television, smartphone, you can learn from home.

Even learn a new language through an app on your phone. Duolingo, as one example, lets you learn nine different languages from your desktop, laptop, or phone in a game-type format where you can earn badges and tokens as your scores improve and your language ability develops. Then, top of your skills by logging into Hulu, Netflix, or Prime Video to watch movies and television shows in your new language to hone your abilities. Some online trade schools offer certification so you can make that next career move. With so many options available, you can learn almost anything from home to set you up for life.

If you learn better in the classroom, ask your neighborhood realtor to suggest classes, programs, and offerings in libraries, churches, and other locations in your new area.