I. Introduction
Course Hero is an excellent resource for students seeking to learn and study better. With a database of over 20 million study materials, Course Hero provides access to notes, practice exams, textbook solutions, and even tutors. However, the subscription fee can be a barrier for many students. This is particularly true for those who are already facing financial challenges or those just looking for a brief reference.
This article aims to solve this problem by exploring different ways to access Course Hero for free. We will also examine the pros and cons of using Course Hero for free as well as outline strategies for maximizing your free account. Lastly, we will provide a comprehensive list of ten free alternatives to Course Hero that students can use to supplement or replace Course Hero.
II. 5 Simple Methods to Access Course Hero for Free
Free Trial Period: Course Hero offers a free trial period for new users, which lasts for a week. During this period, you can access all the study materials and features that come with the paid subscription. Keep in mind that you need a valid credit card to sign up for the free trial. Be sure to cancel your subscription before the end of the free trial period to avoid being charged.
Referral Program: Course Hero has an active referral program that rewards both you and a friend with free unlocks (access to study materials) when you refer them to the platform and they sign up. You can earn up to 25 free unlocks per referral.
Uploading Study Materials: You can also get free access to Course Hero by uploading your notes and study resources to the platform. For every ten approved documents you upload, you’ll earn five free unlocks.
Joining a Study Group: Some students form Course Hero study groups, which allow them to share access to their unlocks. You can either pay for access or join a group for free as long as someone in that group has paid for a Course Hero subscription.
Accessing Tutor Help: Course Hero allows you to access a tutor for help with your studies at no cost if you are new to the platform. This option is available for eligible documents.
III. The Pros and Cons of Using Course Hero for Free
Pros: The major advantage of using Course Hero for free is that you can save money. As a student, money may be tight. This means that paying the subscription fee may simply not be an option. Using Course Hero for free is an excellent alternative as you still have access to study materials.
Cons: One major disadvantage is that you will have limited access to Course Hero’s features. For instance, you may not be able to download resources. Also, using Course Hero for free may violate the company’s terms of service (TOS). This could lead to your account being suspended or terminated without warning.
IV. Maximizing Your Course Hero Free Account
Searching for Helpful Study Materials: When you search for study materials, it’s essential to use keywords effectively. Be specific with the topic, subject, and what you are looking for. This will help you to get better matches. For instance, if looking for “microeconomics” notes, try to use the complete term rather than mere “econ.”
Overview of Free Tools Available: The Course Hero platform has a free a suite of tools that include flashcards, calculators, and even infographics. These can help you to get a better understanding of the materials. You can also personalize your study strategy with features like the customized recommendation engine, which suggests relevant content based on your previous interests.
V. Is It Possible to Use Course Hero for Free?
Yes. Course Hero offers a free account that gives you access to some resources. The free account allows you to search for study materials, preview documents, and get limited user-generated content. You can earn a maximum of six unlocks per month and must pay for additional access.
It is important to note that the free account is limited and users will need to upgrade to a more robust subscription for full access and features. A paid subscription comes with perks such as the ability to download study materials, 24/7 tutor support, customized recommendation engine and more.
VI. 10 Free Alternatives to Course Hero
1. Chegg
2. Quizlet
3. Khan Academy
4. Studylib
5. Sparknotes
6. Bartleby
7. GradeSaver
8. PaperHelp
9. Free-eBooks
10. Bookboon
VII. Conclusion
Course Hero is a valuable resource for learners, with a vast library of study materials. However, it can be quite expensive to access all its features. This article has explored various ways of getting Course Hero for free, including the use of the free trial, referral program and the uploading of materials. Moreover, it is important to note that students can maximize their free account using search tools and Course Hero’s suite of free features such as infographics and calculators.
In conclusion, students can find several alternatives to Course Hero if paid subscription is too costly. Some of the alternatives are Chegg, Quizlet, and Khan Academy among others. The key takeaway is that there are various ways for students to access high-quality resources regardless of their financial constraints.
So, whether you are a full-time student or a working student with limited finances, you don’t have to break the bank to access Course Hero.
