5 Online Classes to Take For Fun During Quarantine
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If your long commute and busy social life have suddenly vanished in the wake of coronavirus, you might want to use some of that free time to learn something new — so today we're rounding up five online classes to take for fun during quarantine. If you feel you don't have a lot more time than you had pre-pandemic (this is especially likely if you have kids, of course!), rest assured that many online courses allow you to complete them at your own pace. If you're looking to develop your professional skills, check out the recommendations in our posts on online classes for working women and online women's management training.
But if it's lighter subjects you're seeking (and aren't we all?), here are five online classes to take for fun during quarantine:
Five Online Classes To Take For Fun During Quarantine
“Bobbi Brown Teaches Makeup and Beauty” from Masterclass: Even if you've ditched makeup for the time being, it's always fun to improve your skills. Iconic makeup artist Bobbi Brown offers 19 step-by-step tutorials (including workday makeup, one-minute makeup, and day to night) that she demonstrates on models with a range of skin tones. This is a great time to try Masterclass, because their $180 Buy One, Share One offer (affiliate link) lets you get a one-year all-access pass for a friend for free when you buy one for yourself. If you know someone who's been constantly saying that they're bored, here's your chance to stop them complaining — I mean, to be a good friend! Other offerings include classes from Anna Wintour, Dr. Jane Goodall, and RuPaul. (Now that would be an interesting dinner party.)
“Tarot Card Success” from Udemy: In addition to a ton of business courses, Udemy offers “personal development” learning opportunities with subjects as varied as screenwriting and Reiki. I don't “believe” in tarot card readings, but I think this would be an entertaining class to take — and after you learn how to give readings, you can even do them for friends via video chat. (Speaking of video chat, have you seen our post on ways to stay connected during social distancing?) Back in college, a friend in my dorm learned how to read tarot, and it was a lot of fun when she did readings. The class is only $22.99 (discounted from $124.99) and includes nine hours of video instruction (on demand) as well as articles and downloads. You'll need a notebook and a tarot card deck.
{related: smart women who believe in astrology}
“The Science of Well-Being” from Coursera: (Update: Starts August 12, 2020) Like Udemy, Coursera focuses on business-related content but also has many “Personal Development” offerings. A couple of years ago, Yale University announced that its “most popular class ever” would be available on Coursera — and this is that class. Now offered for free, it has become hugely popular in the last few weeks. The course, which is taught by psychology professor Laurie Santos, involves a series of challenges that were created to increase happiness and productive habits, and students learn to overcome biases, recognize misconceptions about happiness, and more. Each week of the 10-week course requires one or two hours to complete.
{related: the best personality tests we've taken}
“How to Get Published” from Skillshare: Putting in some time on that short story or novel can go far to get your mind off everything that's going on outside your house right now. This course gives you a step-by-step guide to submitting your creative writing for publication in a magazine or literary journal or on a website. It also includes resources such as a submission checklist, cover letter template, submission tracker template, and bio statement template. You'll also learn how to deal with rejection — and that's an essential skill for a writer! Skillshare is currently offering two free months of Skillshare Premium (normally $8.25/month), but a basic subscription is also available. Fortunately, this class is available for free with a basic subscription.
{related: how to write a novel}
“Demystifying Your DSLR Camera” from Natalie Sinisgalli Photography: I've noticed that a lot of artists and small business owners have been forced to move their classes online (or start teaching in general!) to keep their businesses afloat, including photographers and personal trainers. These classes are a great way to support local businesses (and stay tuned for an upcoming post all about that!). This photography course, which is due to start April 15, is offered by a professional wedding and boudoir photographer who regularly offers an in-person version in my city (Rochester, NY). If you're tired of simply setting your DSLR to “auto” and not taking advantage of all the options it offers (I'm guilty of this), sign up to receive an email when registration is open.
{related: fulfilling hobbies for professional women}
Are you taking any online classes during quarantine? Have you enrolled in any in the past that you would recommend? What skill would you really like to learn?
Stock photo via Stencil.
I am taking 1 hour PLI courses. They are very good b/c I only have to listen for 1 hour and they email the certificates to me within a day. We have to buy our CLE since the Chair of the local bar association found out we were using his forms to certify to NYS, so he told us no more or we would be written up. Now the manageing partner pays for us to do CLE, which is actually alot better b/c we actually learn stuff! YAY!!