Ivy League Education For Free | Here's How :)

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their personal journey of self-education through free online courses from prestigious Ivy League schools and other respected institutions. They describe how they’ve tailored their learning schedule to fit their life, taking courses on literature, philosophy, psychology, and creative arts. The creator emphasizes the benefits of learning at one's own pace, without the pressures of grades or a diploma. Through online resources, they’ve managed to curate their own syllabus, making education accessible, enjoyable, and free—while balancing it with personal interests and career goals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has been taking online Ivy League courses for free, including subjects like Dante's Divine Comedy and Shakespeare's works.
• 😀 These courses are freely available to anyone, offering full semester content without any financial cost or need to attend a traditional classroom.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the flexibility of online learning, such as taking classes at any time of day and fitting them into one's own schedule.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the vast availability of free courses, but notes that many people don't fully utilize this resource.
• 😀 The approach is especially suitable for self-employed or career-established individuals who do not require a formal diploma.
• 😀 The speaker encourages others to take advantage of free educational resources for personal growth and curiosity, not just for credentials.
• 😀 The speaker uses Craftsy, a sponsor, as an example of online creative learning, offering classes in arts like painting, cooking, and sewing.
• 😀 The speaker discusses how they took a different educational path, opting for free online courses after experiencing the financial burden of traditional education.
• 😀 The speaker plans to take 24 courses this year, dividing the workload into manageable seasonal segments that match their rhythm and interests.
• 😀 The speaker’s goal with self-learning is not only personal enrichment but also a deliberate reallocation of time from mindless activities (e.g., TikTok scrolling) to more meaningful education.

Q & A

What is the main point the speaker is making about online courses?

The speaker emphasizes that thousands of free online courses from Ivy League schools and other universities are available to anyone, providing an opportunity to self-enroll in these classes without the constraints of traditional college education.

How does the speaker feel about traditional college education?

The speaker does not dismiss traditional college education but suggests that for some people, especially those who are self-employed or settled in their careers, free online courses can be an effective alternative to the traditional path.

Why does the speaker choose to take online courses instead of attending college?

The speaker finds online courses more flexible, offering the ability to take classes at one's own pace and from anywhere, without the limitations of schedules, class availability, or geographical constraints.

How many courses does the speaker plan to take this year, and how much time will it require?

The speaker plans to take 24 courses this year, with an expected time commitment of about 10 hours per week.

What is the speaker's approach to selecting courses?

The speaker organizes their courses seasonally, tailoring the content to fit their mood and the atmosphere of each quarter. For example, in the winter, they plan to take a course on well-being, while in the spring, they will revisit Peter Singer’s course on effective altruism.

What type of classes does the speaker find particularly beneficial?

The speaker highlights creative classes, like those on painting and artistic techniques, as being particularly valuable, especially since they offer hands-on learning and personal growth in the arts.

What resource does the speaker mention for creative classes, and what benefits does it provide?

The speaker mentions Craftsy, an online platform offering over 2,000 creative courses. It provides a community of crafters and makers, along with a carefully paced learning experience designed to help users improve their skills in areas like painting, cooking, and sewing.

What personal experience led the speaker to embrace online learning?

The speaker reflects on their experience attending the Art Institute of Chicago and accumulating student loan debt. This led them to choose free online courses, which provide an opportunity to continue learning without the financial burden.

What is the speaker's perspective on formal accreditation or diplomas?

The speaker believes that formal accreditation or a diploma is not necessary for everyone, particularly for those who are self-employed or pursuing careers that do not require a formal degree. Their focus is on learning for the sake of personal growth and knowledge.

How does the speaker recommend others approach their own learning?

The speaker encourages others to curate their own learning experiences in a way that feels personal to them. They suggest reassigning time spent on passive activities, like scrolling through social media, to something more intentional, such as taking online courses.