by: Elaine Lee
Just because break is beginning and the new year is approaching, doesn’t mean you have to be trapped at home sitting on your couch. There are numerous ways you can learn outside the classroom and still enjoy your break. Here are a few reasons why you should be learning outside of school:
- Being outside makes learning more engaging vs sitting in a classroom staring at a chalkboard
- More chances of being involved in hands-on experiences
- Expose yourself to new opportunities and develop new interests
- It can be cheaper than attending courses
If you want to take learning outside of the classroom but aren’t sure exactly how, here are some ways and resources to make yourself more productive in the new year:
- Books/Newspapers/Journals – Reading the old fashioned way is a great way to learn by yourself. There are an endless amount of publications on every topic you can possibly think of so don’t hesitate to hit your nearest library or deli for newspapers. Utilize your home campus library or score yourself a library card from the New York Public Library! (They even do e-books for your kindle or ipad)
- Television – If you’re more of a visual person, T.V. is a great place to learn. Many channels often play documentaries and information shows where you can learn without cracking open a textbook. Check out this top list on Netflix for 2018!
- Online Courses – There are thousands of free online classes available that you can take to save time and learn in the comfort of your own home. A few websites to checkout are: Lynda, Skillshare, and General Assembly.
- Youtube – Virtually anything you want to learn will be uploaded on here, chances are if you want to know how to do something, someone else does too. The best thing about Youtube is that it’s free and entertaining for everyone to watch.
- Attend Workshops – Do a little research and find out which workshops are available near you, chances are you’ll stumble upon something you take interest in! A great place to start is the New York Public Library.
- Participate in a fellowship – Programs can help you connect with people and provide valuable knowledge/experience you won’t get in school. Check some out on Macaulay’s CareerPath.
Take advantage of the time you have outside of school and learn something new!
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Interested in writing a blog for the Career Development blog? It’s open to Macaulay students and alums. If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to email Jamie.Ruden@mhc.cuny.edu.