9 New Skills You Can Learn at Home

We understand it can be a challenge to study online and even harder to motivate yourself to keep a routine. Once the “work day” is done, many of you may find a lot more time on your hands. Maybe you’re keeping your mind occupied. Or maybe you’re struggling with finding ways to fill your free time with rewarding activities.

We can all use a little support and inspiration during this unprecedented time, which is why we’ve come up with 9 new skills you can learn at home. As you do your part to flatten the curve by practicing social distancing, read on for new subjects and skills you can learn without leaving your door!  

 

1. Learn a second language

Have you ever wanted to learn Spanish? German? Maybe Italian? If learning a new language has always been one of your goals, why not start now? There are plenty of online platforms that can help you learn a second language from the comfort of your home. We recommend Duolingo, a free tool that will help you learn a new language through short games and lessons that earn you points. You’ll receive instant grades and receive help if you happen to miss the mark on a lesson. Give it a try! 

 

 

2. Learn an instrument 

So you’re up to the challenge of learning something new. How about exploring music? If you have a guitar, bass, piano or ukulele in your home (or want to sharpen your singing skills), you can try a month of Yousician free of charge. You’ll get real-time feedback and instructions as you work through exercises and lessons. You also have access to step-by-step video tutorials and can connect with other musicians online. Once your free trial is up, Yousician subscriptions start at $20 per month. 

If you’d like to find free tutorials, YouTube has thousands of videos for learning different instruments, musical theory and reading sheet music. With a quick search, you’ll have access to a wide selection of videos that fit your interests. 

 

3. Become a master chef

OK, maybe you won’t reach master chef status but you can always build on your cooking skills! Instructables has a great course that teaches you the fundamentals of cooking in six free lessons. 

Here’s what you’ll learn: 

• Tools and supplies to use for cooking
• Knife skills
• Basic skills for better cooking
• Pan frying and sauteing
• Boiling, simmering and stewing
• Baking, broiling and roasting

 

The instructor pairs each cooking technique with a recipe collection so you can build your recipe repertoire! 

 

4. Meditate

Meditation is a skill anyone can learn and use to relax and create a calm space for reflection. Especially during uncertain times like what we’re experiencing in the world right now, it’s important to take care of ourselves and our mental health. Meditation can help us connect to our feelings, reduce stress and increase calmness. The New York Times created a great guide on how to meditate that you can check out if you’re interested. 

If you prefer being vocally guided through meditation, there are many apps and resources online. Calm has compiled a blog with free resources including guided meditations, sleep stories, calming music, exercises and classes to inspire creativity and wellness. Headspace is another app that offers articles, guided meditations, stories and exercises to help with mental and physical well-being. There are also plenty of free videos on YouTube if you simply search how to meditate.

 

5. Try a new craft

Pinterest is a gold mine if you’re looking for DIY craft ideas and there are plenty of other websites out there for inspiration. If you’re up for the challenge, see what supplies you can find around your home and try to create something out of that. Or if you have a specific project in mind, you can order supplies off of Amazon and have them delivered safely to your door. Whether it’s painting, crochet, embroidery, calligraphy, jewellery or otherwise, you can DIY however you’d like. 

 

6. Work out 

Working out is an excellent way to reduce stress and boost your mood. To help people cope during this time, many personal trainers have been offering free workout classes online so it’s more accessible for everyone. If you have Instagram, you can search for different classes and workouts there. 

There are also many free workout apps that have everything from running and yoga to strength training. The Nike Training Club App has free at-home workouts and nutrition tips and you can monitor your progress on the platform. FitOn is another free fitness app that offers hundreds of workout classes including yoga, pilates, prenatal, dance, cardio and HIIT. The workouts are short and challenging—perfect to help you get your sweat on! 

 

7. Try creative writing

You don’t have to be a writer to write. In fact, writers start off just like everyone else—with a blank page and an open mind. Sit down and give it a try. You can create a character and write a short conversation you think they’d have with someone. Or imagine a scene and write every detail you can think of. Reedsy has a great blog post with over 100 creative writing exercises to help with writer’s block, character development, plot development, setting and more. You don’t have to be a writer to find these exercises fun, entertaining and even challenging! Give them a shot and see where your creativity takes you. 

 

8. Explore photography

If you have a phone with a camera, you’re halfway there. You don’t have to be a photographer to experiment with a camera! Take photos inside your home. Test out the editing features on your phone. If you can go for a short walk near your home, take a few photos outside—it can give you hours of entertainment. Udemy also offers many free online photography courses and tutorials. 

 

9. Develop your working-from-home skills with Robertson

While you’re at home, why not learn how to work better from home? We are offering a free Work From Home course to help you navigate the realities of remote work. The self-guided course is eight hours long and you’ll learn how to work with and manage remote teams, maintain a focused mindset and develop a healthy work-life balance. You can take the course at your own pace and communicate with online peers to share ideas and discuss course materials. 

If you’re interested in more information, you can check out the free Work From Home course here. 

We’ve put together a list of free and paid online courses with certificates of completion in Canada. We’ll give you some great places to look for learning opportunities, whether you’re interested in design, tech, marketing and more. 

Now that you have 9 new skills you can learn at home, don’t forget to be gentle with yourself during this uncertain time. If you need to relax, make sure you do and take care of yourself. Just know if you’re ready to dive into an activity, there are plenty of fun options out there for you. 

If you find yourself needing extra support, reach out to your instructor or contact a counsellor and they will be happy to talk with you. We are here for you throughout this transitional time.