“There is no end to education,” said Jiddu Krishnamurti. The older I get, the more I find this to be true. Whether it’s “official” education (like getting a second university degree or a diploma) or more informal learning —like watching online lectures and reading books on topics that interest me — the end of my schooling by no means meant the end of my education. I’d go as far as saying that the moment you stop pursuing knowledge is the moment your mind stagnates.
But how do I keep learning once I’m no longer in school, you ask. I hear you. Resources can be hard to come by if you don’t know where to look. Worse, many popular ones require payment, which makes accessing them difficult for those of us who live paycheck to paycheck. Fortunately, all you need to do is dig in a little deeper to find resources that are either completely free or very affordable. Even if no interesting topic comes to mind at first, I guarantee that once you go over these options, something will pique your interest. Because truly, there’s something for everyone.
From this point forward, it’s up to you. Happy learning! There’s a whole new you waiting on the other side of this adventure.
edX
This was the first learning platform that I ever found, and I consider it an invaluable resource to acquire knowledge that you’d otherwise have to go to school for. Indeed, these courses are from first-rate schools around the world, offered digitally for your enjoyment. Although you have to pay for the certificates to show that you completed a course, actually attending most of these classes is free.
Some courses you might like:
Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking from HarvardX
Introduction to Social Psychology from The University of Queensland
Coursera
Another great source for learning, Coursera’s offerings run from free courses to affordable specializations and degrees. Right now, for Coursera Plus, you can access all courses for $21 a month.
Some courses you might like:
Stanford Introduction to Food and Health
Qualitative Research Methods from the University of Amsterdam
Preply
Are you looking to learn a new language and be taught by actual human beings instead of AI? Then check out Preply, a platform where you can choose from dozens, if not hundreds, of tutors to give you personal lessons.
Domestika
An affordable option to learn a variety of skills, from copywriting to watercolors, Domestika offers two ways of accessing the courses: you can pay for each one individually, or you can subscribe to get access to all of them. Every course is translated to a number of languages, including English.
Some courses you might like:
OpenLearn
The Open University doesn’t only offer courses: it also features activities and articles, so if you can only squeeze in moments of learning, you don’t have to commit to an entire class. Most of these are free.
Some options you might like:
How women changed the world (activity)
Simone de Beauvoir and the feminist revolution (course)
Khan Academy
Whether you’re a high school or college student, or simply someone who wants to learn more, Khan Academy offers courses about a variety of subjects, divided by skill level. The best part? It’s free.
Some courses you might like:
AP®︎/College Environmental Science
TEDx Program
Sometimes you want to be exposed to ideas, not full-on college courses. TEDx is ideal for those occasions: it’s ready to open your mind to thoughts and perspectives you had not previously considered. Most of us know TEDx as the video site, but did you know it also offers articles?
Some options you might like:
The planet clearly needs help, so what can you do? Demand change (article)
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
Libraries
The best resource of them all, in my opinion. Libraries give you access to countless books and other media for free. If you don’t know where to start, librarians are there to guide you. You can sit at a table and work for as long as you want, with no interruptions. Really, we don’t deserve libraries, but we’re lucky to have them regardless.
If you want to learn even more, may I interest you in 8 of the Best New Nonfiction Books of March 2026 or The Ensh*ttification of the Institute of Museum and Library Services Trucks On: What’s Happening and What You Can Do?
English (US) · 