As we gear up for a potential second wave, why not take the time you’re saving from having no commute to advance your professional development? We have all gotten used to the routine of staying at home, but just because you’re stuck in one place, doesn’t mean that your mind has to be. Whether you’re just looking for something to do or something to learn, the following resources are an opportunity to keep busy, learn, and improve your skills from some of the most respected academic institutions and companies in the world.

Of the eight most prestigious Ivy League schools in the world, 450 online courses have now been made available at absolutely no charge. Class Central has compiled the courses, and categorized them into 13 areas of study. This database is vast and covers everything from health and medicine to personal development.

We recommend:

Social Impact Strategy: Tools for Entrepreneurs and Innovators hosted by Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania: What better a time to discuss social impact than now? Learn how to launch and scale a business that will change the world.

The Age of Sustainable Development hosted by Columbia University: How can you build a modern, progressive business that is socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable? Take your first steps here.

English for Career Development hosted by Pennsylvania University: For non-native English speakers, this program is specially designed for individuals looking to advance their careers in a global marketplace.

The Yale School of Medicine has been diligent in releasing official reports and advisements regarding COVID-19. To further support their community of students and professionals in addition to the webinars and live Q&A’s with medical professionals, they’ve also made some of their most highly regarded courses available online. The New Haven, Connecticut-based Ivy League school’s catalogue can pre-occupy you for weeks if not months alone. Here are a few we like:

Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator: Whether in the boardroom or as you navigate your social circles, good negotiation skills are a key asset to have within your skill set.

The Science of Well-Being: What does it mean to be happy? In one of Yale’s most popular courses, explore how to build more productive habits and increase your own happiness.

Harvard has dedicated it’s resources to transitioning class and office time to learning and working from home as easily as possible. In addition to this, the Ivy League university has made 55 free online courses available to anyone who wants to invest in knowledge. The classes run for a maximum of 12 weeks allowing you to decide how long and how many you’d like to register for. The collection features everything from timely pandemic-focused courses to children’s rights theory. Here are a few interesting suggestions:

Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market: In this introductory course, you’ll explore how entrepreneurs match promising technology with customer needs to launch successful new businesses.

CS50: Introduction to Computer Science: The on-campus version of this class is the largest course offered, that has to mean something, right? Brush up on your computer science skills or learn something new.

Known for its prestige in Social Sciences, Engineering and Computer Science learning, Columbia University’s free resources are a gold mind for business owners. Particularly in a time when everything moving has required to go digital, analyzing business to optimize productivity and profit is a necessary skill. All of Columbia’s free learning recourses are available through Class Central and EdX.

Artificial Intelligence: As the world becomes more and more automated, it’s not a bad idea to have at least a baseline understanding of AI fundamentals.

Risk and Return: As a business owner, learn how to estimate the expected return of equity and debt, and how to estimate financial risks.

An onslaught of people are now faced with the task of reconfiguring their work flow to function within the walls of their home. For many this can be an awkward adjustment to work through, especially when optimization is needed now more than ever.

LinkedIn Learning has compiled a number of courses specific to navigating working from home. The best part of this catalogue of virtual learning pods have been made available at no cost and max out at an hour and a half. Easy to digest and implement into your day, these videos are essential to any missing the feel of their office.

There is no better time than the present to learn a new language. The app Duolingo offers free language learning tools that will teach you a new language in a way that is fun and interactive. A complete departure from the way language is typically taught, Duolingo utilizes gamification and daily lessons to help with language retention. In short, you’ll learn because you are having fun.

Dedicated to inspiring, educating, and entertaining women with a creative spirit, Brit + Co has a range of classes that are made to empower women to take charge of their life in every aspect from home to the office. There is a small fee of $10/month to access all videos, or you can pay per class. We recommend the Investing 101 class (it’s free!), so you can learn how to make the most of your money.