At These Prices, You Can’t Afford Not To

We all know how expensive education is. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford the classroom, let alone the books, food, and transportation of higher learning. We know it sounds like all hope is lost, but plenty of online courses actually aim to improve your skills without a cent paid on your end. Let’s dive into some of the best courses you can score online—for free!  

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1. Writing and Reading Short Stories at MiT

Believe it or not, MiT has an awesome course on short stories that you can download. It comes complete with readings, lecture notes, and even some assignments that you can work on to hone in on your comprehension. You’ll even get a chance to write your own short story, which will then be reviewed so you can apply any notes and better your skills. 

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2. Creative Writing Specialization at Wesleyan University

If you like short stories but want a little something more, look no further than Wesleyan. Their free course offers an extensive look at short stories, narrative essays, and memoirs. It’s a beginner-level course that teaches about style and character creation, and also provides a chance to work with others in the class. 

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3. Creative Essay Writing at Skillshare

The full name of this course is: Creative Essay Writing: Explore the Personal & Powerful Specialization. It’s available on Skillshare, one of the best platforms for free knowledge and on-hand skills you can apply anywhere. This class is all about personal style and focusing on how to write what’s true to you. 

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4. Writing and Editing at the University of Michigan

Writing is important, but do you know what’s even more crucial? The editing! The University of Michigan has you covered with this epic class (full name: Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order). You’ll learn all about grammar, word choice, and how to insert compelling details into your story. 

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5. Writing in the Sciences at Stanford University

There are all sorts of different writing paths out there, and writing for the sciences is a journey all its own. Stanford knows that, which is why they have a course that teaches you how to trim the fat and write for grants. This class also teaches you about ethics in research writing and how to put together a scientific manuscript. 

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