More and more people are realizing that we can no longer go back to the way we were. Even if we could, people will get used to keeping a safe distance from each other and we'll all probably wear masks throughout our lifetime.

But hey, we mustn't forget to exercise our brains. Living in a pandemic-ridden world doesn't mean we all have to stop learning. And since most of us are hesitant to go out and learn the conventional way, here are some apps that don't only make your brain sharper -- it will also give you a ton of fun.

Duolingo

A lot of language apps are dead-boring, but not Duolingo. The developers ensured you'd be sucked in once you're in. It's got colorful and cute elements that are sure to perk you up. If you're competitive, there's leaderboards so you can show off what you're great at.

What's great about Duolingo is that it's got a diverse selection of languages, from the most common ones like French and Spanish to more obscure tongues like Latin and Esperanto, and the newest addition, Finnish.

Rocksmith by Ubisoft

Music does a lot to keep a person sane, and if you want to master one instrument then Rocksmith is the way to go. This app can drastically improve your guitar skills and guide you through popular songs and monitors the way you're playing the instrument. It's got thousands of songs you can play along, which is more than enough to teach you how to play like a pro.

The New York Times' Crossword

Oh boy, getting this app is easily one of the best decisions you'll ever make. It's got the best puzzles both old and new, and there's even other games like Letter Boxed and Spelling Bee. The NY Times Crossword is a great way to exercise those tired and bored brain muscles and a perfect time-killer too!

Seek by iNaturalist

Now that you're allowed to go for a walk, why not make the activity more interesting and use Seek to help you identify plants? Yep, it's full-on nerdy, but even those who have no interest in trees, flowers, and the like swear by this app -- it piques your interest.

Knowing plant species is a great addition to your knowledge bank too -- you'll never know when it might come in handy. And a lot of people are starting to love plants now, being stuck at home and all that. Knowing how to identify plants could be your next career.