I don’t need to tell you how important learning is. From improving our day-to-day lives to reaching academic and career success, it is the essential step for personal growth.
And yet, for many of us, learning something new — or even deciding to learn — feels overwhelming, expensive, or strangely performative.
Over the years, I experimented with a lot of learning methods: free vs paid, online vs physical, reading vs watching. And if there is one thing I learned from all that experimenting, it’s this:
Consistency matters far more than the method.
Whatever keeps you consistent is the best way to learn.
I truly believe learning doesn’t have to look “serious” to be serious. That’s why I’m sharing the platforms that helped me stay consistent by making learning engaging, accessible, and genuinely valuable.
How Learning Fits Into Real Life
Sometimes, I wish I could go back to school. Back when my only responsibility was to learn. I had all the time to learn during school hours, after school, and even for exploring whatever my hobby for the month was.
Adulthood changed that.
Between work, fatigue, irregular schedules, and responsibilities, active learning slowly started to disappear from my life. And for a while, I accepted that.
Who has time to learn anymore, right?
Wrong.
I realized that with better time management, and most importantly, with the right tools, learning could fit back into my life.
Because learning should be an important part of life.
That’s why I think apps are some of the best tools for learning today. They’re accessible, flexible, and often ask for as little as 5-10 minutes. No commuting, no fixed schedules, no pressure.
Platform 1: Youtube – The Underestimated University
Let’s be honest, you probably saw this one coming. Youtube is the biggest video platform in the world, which also makes it the biggest learning platform.
It is perfect for curiosity-led learning and intentional rabbit holes. You just need to know how to use Youtube intentionally.
Core Characteristics
- Free, unlimited, and wildly diverse
- Ranges from surface-level to university-grade depth
- Algorithm-driven (for better and worse)
Pros
- Zero cost, high accessibility
- You can learn almost anything, anytime
- Long-form content allows deep understanding
- Real people explaining things
- Can introduce you to other valuable resources
Cons
- Easy to get distracted or overwhelmed
- Quality varies a lot
- No structure unless you create it yourself
- Ads… a lot of ads
Best Ways To Use It
- Follow trusted creators in your niche
- Choose playlists with learning paths
- Go long-form over short-form
- Treat it like a library, not entertainment
- Pair it with notes or another platform for structure
Platform 2: skillshare – Structured Creativity
I’ve been using Skillshare for over three years, and I’m still surprised by how much I’ve learned from it. It’s ideal for creative skills, soft skills, systems, and beginner-friendly depth.
Although it’s paid, its real power is guided learning, which dramatically reduces friction. You can trust that most classes are well-structured and created by people who actually know what they’re teaching (sadly, not an ad).
Core Characteristics
- Paid, curated, and creator-led
- Strong focus on creative and practical skills
- Short, well-organized classes.
Pros
- High signal-to-noise ratio
- Clear structure and progression
- Encourages finishing what you start
- Great for beginners and clarity-seekers
- Emphasis on implementation through projects
Cons
- Requires a subscription (can be inaccessible for some)
- Not ideal for highly advanced or academic topics
- Some repetition across classes
Best Ways To Use It
- Pick one skill at a time
- Complete the project sections
- Ideal for creative resets and skill-stacking
Platform 3: Duolingo – Micro-learning Done Right
I’ve always loved the idea of gamifying your life — and learning is no exception. I was first introduced to this concept through language learning.
I have been using Duolingo for over ten years, I learned French, Spanish, Turkish, and improved my English. Not because it was perfect, but because it was accessible when I didn’t have enough money for courses. Starting from zero on my own was overwhelming, and Duolingo removed that friction.
Duolingo’s method is simple, game-like, and low-resistance. Just 5-15 minutes a day can compound into real progress over time.
It is ideal for languages and daily momentum, but shout out to Duolingo for adding other subjects like maths and chess!
And keep your streak going!
Core Characteristics
- Gamified, lightweight, and habit-based
- Designed for daily consistency
- Strong on vocabulary and basics
Pros
- Extremely easy to stick to
- Perfect for micro-learning
- Removes fear and resistance
- Great for building momentum
Cons
- Many features are paid
- Limited depth
- Weak on speaking and real-life usage
- Can feel repetitive long-term
Best Ways To Use It
- Use it as a daily anchor, not your only tool
- Combine with Youtube, podcasts, books, and conversations
- Focus on streaks, not mastery
Platform 4: linkedIn Learning – Learning With Credentials
I was first introduced to LinkedIn Learning through my first job (with free access), and I immediately understood its value. It’s perfect for professional skills and certifications.
Sometimes, learning benefits from external validation, and LinkedIn Learning offers exactly that. Beyond career growth, it gave me confidence to learn strategically, not just out of curiosity.
Core Characteristics
- Career-focused and structured
- Professional, polished, and outcome-driven
- Offers certificates
Pros
- Great for hard and soft professional skills
- Clear learning paths
- Certifications and credibility
- Feels “serious” in a good way
Cons
- Less personal or creative
- Not curiosity-led
- Can feel dry or corporate
Best Ways to Use It
- Use it for career upgrades
- Add certificates to your LinkedIn profile
- Ideal for transitions, promotions, or confidence building
- Treat it like professional maintenance
Platform 5: ChatGPT – Practice, Not Just Consumption
ChatGPT can be a teacher, a practice partner, or a thinking space. Depending on how you use it.
It turns passive learning into dialogue. You can use it to practice concepts, ask questions, create quizzes, or stimulate scenarios to test your understanding. And that’s where learning truly deepens.
Core Characteristics
- Interactive, adaptive, and immediate
- Turns learning into dialogue
- Personalized explanations
Pros
- Excellent for practice and clarification
- Helps connect concepts
- Encourages active learning
- Removes fear of asking “stupid” questions
Cons
- Requires good prompts for best results
- Not a primary source
- Can feel overwhelming without direction
Best Ways To Use It
- Stimulate conversations, exams, or scenarios
- Ask it to explain concepts in simpler terms
- Use it to think, not consume.
Key Takeaways
- Consistency beats method, method boosts consistency
- Learning should fit your energy, not fight it
- Interaction matters more than consumption
Closing Thought
Learning isn’t about becoming someone else.
It’s about giving yourself enough space – and the right tools – to keep growing, quietly and consistently.
