Looking for something to do while quarantined? You can take Yale's most popular class ever for free online
People around the world are learning to cope with quarantines in an attempt to stop the further spread of the new coronavirus. As city lockdowns force people to self-quarantine, everyone is searching for ways to keep busy — and Yale University has a solution.
"Psychology and the Good Life," a course first introduced by Professor Laurie Santos in spring 2018, teaches stressed-out students how to be happier. The university said it quickly became the most popular course in the school's 317-year history.
Given its success, Yale decided to release the course online with the title, "The Science of Well Being." It features lectures by Santos "on things people think will make them happy but don't — and, more importantly, things that do bring lasting life satisfaction."
Anyone with an internet connection can sign up for the class for free. The course involves a series of challenges "designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits."
The course is fully online and takes about 20 hours to complete. It includes videos, readings, quizzes and "retirement" activities to build happier habits.
"The Science of Well Being" isn't the only course that could keep you busy during the coronavirus outbreak. Coursera offers other free courses from the nation's top schools, including "Greek and Roman Mythology" from the University of Pennsylvania, "Imagining other Earths" from Princeton, and "Child Nutrition and Cooking" from Stanford.
Class Central also offers nearly 500 courses from Ivy League schools for free online. Additionally, Scholastic has created a free digital learning hub for students to support virtual learning plans while schools are closed.
Not interested in taking a course? Here are some other ways to keep busy at home
- These fitness studios are live-streaming workout classes for free while their brick-and-mortar locations are closed
- These zoos and aquariums are live-streaming animals for people to enjoy because they can't see them in-person
- Music stars are live-streaming at-home concerts for fans
- The Metropolitan Opera is streaming live performances every day at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB fans can stream archived games and bonus footage for free while the regular seasons are suspended
- Virtual museum tours and high-resolution images of artwork from around the world are available through Google Arts and Culture