Self-education and self-development: useful tips from experts

With the right approach to self-education, it is possible to become a competent specialist without a higher education institution. But it is not as simple as it may seem. In this article, we will consider the pros and cons of self-education, the problems, and the difficulties associated with this process. Self-education is the education received independently, outside of any educational institution. If done properly, self-education can become a worthy alternative to traditional education in a university.

Pros and cons of self-education

Pros:

• you can study only what you want and need, so you don’t have to turn to essay writing help because of a subject you don’t like. By the way, this is how the programs of many foreign universities are built: students themselves choose the courses they will attend;
• you distribute your time;
• you don’t have to go to university, pass tests and exams.

Cons:

• you can become a class specialist, but you won’t have a degree. And when applying for a serious position, most employers pay attention to its availability;
• no student life and no new study friends. You sit alone and study the material. Who said it would be easy?

Self-education is a harder and longer way. But the result will be impressive. It is a constant pumping of the brain. Conventional education ends with a diploma, while self-education lasts a lifetime and opens up new horizons.

Self-development and motivation

Teachers at school check your homework, at university you may be deprived of a scholarship or expelled for failing grades. Therefore, no methods and courses will not be effective if you have no inner motivation and desire. Do you feel that there are problems with this and procrastination wins in an unequal struggle? Reading an interesting book, but being constantly distracted by cats on the Internet? This feeling is familiar to many. Engage in time management, go through a hell of a week, get your brain in order. And then start educating yourself.

5 steps for productive self-education

We have highlighted 5 points that will help to engage in self-education effectively:

• Plan. Higher education institutions necessarily have a curriculum and a schedule. And not without reason. Only by planning, you can achieve efficiency. Make the checklist and follow it, carrying out the planned tasks.
• Pay attention to your social circle.
• Talking to people who want to learn the same things you do (or better yet, already know it!) can enhance your professional development.
• Find opportunities to practice. For example, if you’re learning English, attend debates with native speakers, learn Python – try to write your program.
• Be inspired by the examples of successful people. Napoleon, Tesla, Einstein, Newton, Churchill, and many others were self-educated. Be persistent and remember that nothing is impossible!

Where to get information for self-education

Although we live in the age of information, we need to look for it responsibly. Especially, if we deal with self-education.

• Books. For thousands of years, they have helped to store valuable information. Find the right publication, and read! Let Einstein, Kant, and Voltaire be your mentors.
• Webinars and courses. Take a course or sign up for a webinar where you can interact with professionals.
• Special education sites. Here it is important to choose sites with quality content, so analyze it well before working with it.