Sure! Flattered, in fact. I awake at 5:00. From 7:00 until 8:00 I study for professional growth. From 19:00 to 20:00 I do deep study on a non-work related topic (currently, Economics). From 20:00 until 21:00 I read fiction. I sleep at 21:00
As a college student who's about to graduate and take a gap year before pursuing grad school, I'm obsessed with self-learning. There's something freeing about taking time outside of class to learn things on my own terms. I've found that passionate self-learning leads to an unbelievably rapid accumulation of knowledge, especially when the learning has a clear purpose (creating a side project for example). I love that you mentioned cafes in the bonus tips because I've been trying to go to them every morning!
It's scientifically proven that writing notes down rather than typing them out helps you remember better. It forces you to slow down and think a little more. Writing also triggers muscle memory. So if you write what your learning down enough times, when your brain recognizes certain words, it kind of triggers your muscle memory making writing the answer down almost automatic. Muscle memory is still memory and it's stronger than mental memory. Also, screens are often bright and cause your eyes to fatigue faster.
Bravo! Learning is one of my favorite things to do. I have my own methods, and I would like to share three. 1. I make a daily habit of recording five notes—usually just a sentence for each “note,” so a total of five sentences—from something I have read, encountered in a lecture, etc. Reading an article or a few pages of a book and then taking five notes takes only 20-30 minutes, but those notes add up. My Habit List app shows that I have completed this daily habit 2250 consecutive days, so that makes more than 10,000 notes. 2. I keep these notes in Evernote, where I have access to them via my phone, laptop, and iPad, so they are relatively easy to read and search. 3. I review 20 of these notes every day, so I make progress on remembering them. Thanks for sharing your commitment to learning!
I love this! I just got my first common place book and I'm so excited. The thing is: I'm also learning two languages at the moment and that's already a lot of learning... We'll see, how much additional research I can fit on top of that 😅
Love the excitement! Learning two languages is impressive, maybe you can try to learn about different thought-leaders for each language and incorporate that into your research (until you have more time on your hands)
Oh thanks! I'm German and learned two more languages in school - English and French - and realized how a whole new world opens up with each language and fell in love with that: I forgot quite a bit of my French because I wasn't using it. So currently I'm brushing up on that and am learning Spanish. And I love that idea! Thank you. I think first I'll take your first advice to heart though and make a schedule. I just quit Duolingo as they announced to be working with an AI first approach now, so I gotta find another way to stay consistent.
Maybe I'll take one day a week to find some articles that I'll then read during the week.... But now I'm just thinking out loud. Thank you for the inspiration!
This came at the right time, for someone that enjoys a lot of different topics that it gets overwhelming to actually study, your article was very helpful.
Thank you! So many over the years. Neuroscience, behavioural economics, business, developmental economics, game theory to name a few. I’ve also dabbled into physics & climate science, etc!
I’m super interested in Developmental economics (especially for African developing countries from a development organization perspective ) because of my job, and everyday, it’s complexity fascinates me. I have read some books here and there, but none that sort of reflect the current times (decades post-colonial times). Do you know any books, websites, podcasts, academicians (substackers as well) that I could look into?
David Landes wrote “The Wealth & Poverty of Nations” back in 1998. It’s very ~academic~ and historical (looks at empires), but is widely cited and sourced in Developmental Economics. Why Nations Fail (Acemoglu & Robinson) & Wealth, Poverty, and Politics (Sowell) refer to it in their books. Poor Economics by Banerjee & Duflo is more modern but also good.
This is interesting, especially #5! I haven't heard of writing regarding the topic of study and I am very eager to try this. I've honestly been reading and studying a little bit more on the standard student side. But I would really love to expand my horizons on it too. This is a great idea!
Great tips! I have a problem with #1. I want to learn all the things at one time. 😂
Thank you! Same 😭 but sometimes it’s nice to remind yourself that you have time and not to rush!
Same! 😭😔. I read like 10 books at once lmao
Same. So I learned to categorize the things I want to learn into:
- Learning for professional growth
- Learning for deep study
- Learning out of passing interest
Then, I set separate times in my day for studying the first two categories. With the third, I read articles and watch videos instead of a deep study.
I love this! Can you share what your schedule looks like if you don’t mind?
Sure! Flattered, in fact. I awake at 5:00. From 7:00 until 8:00 I study for professional growth. From 19:00 to 20:00 I do deep study on a non-work related topic (currently, Economics). From 20:00 until 21:00 I read fiction. I sleep at 21:00
This is great! Everyday?
I take a break on weekends. Focus on light reads only
I agree. My follow up questions are about how to pick what to study!
As a college student who's about to graduate and take a gap year before pursuing grad school, I'm obsessed with self-learning. There's something freeing about taking time outside of class to learn things on my own terms. I've found that passionate self-learning leads to an unbelievably rapid accumulation of knowledge, especially when the learning has a clear purpose (creating a side project for example). I love that you mentioned cafes in the bonus tips because I've been trying to go to them every morning!
It's scientifically proven that writing notes down rather than typing them out helps you remember better. It forces you to slow down and think a little more. Writing also triggers muscle memory. So if you write what your learning down enough times, when your brain recognizes certain words, it kind of triggers your muscle memory making writing the answer down almost automatic. Muscle memory is still memory and it's stronger than mental memory. Also, screens are often bright and cause your eyes to fatigue faster.
That’s also why I prefer writing them by hand!
Bravo! Learning is one of my favorite things to do. I have my own methods, and I would like to share three. 1. I make a daily habit of recording five notes—usually just a sentence for each “note,” so a total of five sentences—from something I have read, encountered in a lecture, etc. Reading an article or a few pages of a book and then taking five notes takes only 20-30 minutes, but those notes add up. My Habit List app shows that I have completed this daily habit 2250 consecutive days, so that makes more than 10,000 notes. 2. I keep these notes in Evernote, where I have access to them via my phone, laptop, and iPad, so they are relatively easy to read and search. 3. I review 20 of these notes every day, so I make progress on remembering them. Thanks for sharing your commitment to learning!
currently reading why nations fail
I enjoyed it! I have my criticisms but enjoyable to read nonetheless
I love this! I just got my first common place book and I'm so excited. The thing is: I'm also learning two languages at the moment and that's already a lot of learning... We'll see, how much additional research I can fit on top of that 😅
Love the excitement! Learning two languages is impressive, maybe you can try to learn about different thought-leaders for each language and incorporate that into your research (until you have more time on your hands)
Oh thanks! I'm German and learned two more languages in school - English and French - and realized how a whole new world opens up with each language and fell in love with that: I forgot quite a bit of my French because I wasn't using it. So currently I'm brushing up on that and am learning Spanish. And I love that idea! Thank you. I think first I'll take your first advice to heart though and make a schedule. I just quit Duolingo as they announced to be working with an AI first approach now, so I gotta find another way to stay consistent.
Maybe I'll take one day a week to find some articles that I'll then read during the week.... But now I'm just thinking out loud. Thank you for the inspiration!
💟💟
This came at the right time, for someone that enjoys a lot of different topics that it gets overwhelming to actually study, your article was very helpful.
Thank you
Love this. Good advice to organize yourself.
I love this! I’ll have to find a notebook; I usually keep my notes on my phone but there’s nothing like paper!
Im a little bias but I think paper is the way to go! But ultimately it’s whatever works best for you!
I love this. Have been studying a variety of things without a system. This is great.
Glad this helped! 💌
Great recommendations here Rana. Similar to some of my practices.
Thank you!
What topics have you self studied? Interesting article!!
Thank you! So many over the years. Neuroscience, behavioural economics, business, developmental economics, game theory to name a few. I’ve also dabbled into physics & climate science, etc!
I’m super interested in Developmental economics (especially for African developing countries from a development organization perspective ) because of my job, and everyday, it’s complexity fascinates me. I have read some books here and there, but none that sort of reflect the current times (decades post-colonial times). Do you know any books, websites, podcasts, academicians (substackers as well) that I could look into?
David Landes wrote “The Wealth & Poverty of Nations” back in 1998. It’s very ~academic~ and historical (looks at empires), but is widely cited and sourced in Developmental Economics. Why Nations Fail (Acemoglu & Robinson) & Wealth, Poverty, and Politics (Sowell) refer to it in their books. Poor Economics by Banerjee & Duflo is more modern but also good.
Wow! Very cool 😁
Omg thank you for writing this essay. This is exactly what i need right now 💜
was planning to study anatomy and pyschology yesterday 😭 and today saw this post . THANK YOU SM
This is interesting, especially #5! I haven't heard of writing regarding the topic of study and I am very eager to try this. I've honestly been reading and studying a little bit more on the standard student side. But I would really love to expand my horizons on it too. This is a great idea!