Your curated self education sounds so much like mine and I wish to live a train station away from you! Appreciate your wonderful post, it has made my day :)
Great article. Small recommendation to your planning and I’d suggest daily is reading the Bible. Version up to you I’d recommend KJV or NIV.
You can read a million books in a life time but only one can truly change a life, could be yours, for eternity.
And the byproduct of reading the Bible discovering Jesus, if changing your life for here and eternity isn’t enough, the Bible will inspire and explode your creativity and ability to fulfill your hearts desire, in your case perhaps to be great writer.
Thanks! I will get to the Bible someday. It's actually part of a DIY course I created called cornerstones of western literature. Will get to it next year hopefully!
As a lifelong educator, I find it very important for the education of young people today to be different and more self directed. I appreciate your work and the responses you get. You suffer from imposter syndrome which I understand completely. I hope you overcome it soon and are able to charge what you are worth. The method of educating the younger generation must change. Good luck to you with your journey. I will follow you and cheer you on. Simon Sinek inspired me to always start with “why”. Your work is better than you take credit for.
Self-study is biggest project this year almost for the exact reasons you named as well. Im so happy that you’re finding your own meaning this year as well.
Super helpful framework. I am on the tail end of my second masters, and while I’m excited for the freedom that awaits me after graduation I’ve felt a bit ill equipped to develop my own “curriculum” for my continued learning after school. This really gave me a good vision of what would that like that to look like. Thank you!
Thanks for reading, Matt! Happy to hear it was helpful. I've made so many mistakes in DIY curriculum building and self-study over the last five years, so hopefully this one helps you avoid those same silly mistakes.
Wow, this is a fabulous article - thank you for writing this! As an ADHDer who considers learning and research a hobby and who also wants to read more diversely and deeply to not only enhance my own writing but to also just learn more about life, this just really hit home. I think I'm going to pick up some of the books you mention as well.
love this article! self study is so important and this looks like a great list. i actually did my dissertation on desire and sexual deviancy in david copperfield and great expectations and GE is my favourite dickens novel.
goodluck with your studies and remember that you get 100 free articles a month with a free jstor account! also for learning more about the author before reading, dickens has a super short sort of collection of essays called night walks that is really compelling and intimate feeling.
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely check out those essays. I read he used to roam around London at night, so I'm sure there will be some good vignettes in store?
And what an interesting dissertation. "love her, love her, love her" from GE comes to mind lol.
Just finding this as you are finishing the first quarter of your self-education syllabus. Hope it is still going strong. I found your plan very inspiring. Your writing is good. So good I'm about to check out your other posts and perhaps subscribe. Like to do my part for the wedding! If you should ever want to take a field trip to enrich your reading, I live in the area where Frederick Douglass was born and could give you a very informative tour! Talbot County, Maryland is about 4 hours from New York. On the flip side, as I complete my TBR pile of classics, perhaps I can join you at the pub to discuss a classic? I am a retired educator and am currently putting together my own learning syllabus so I was able to get a lot from your plan. Thanks so much for sharing (& maybe don't take the $100 course - I have ideas). Keep reading, writing, and learning. It's my favorite job❣️
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. And if I'm ever passing through, I may just have to take you up on the tour! After reading the autobiography, I'm glad to say he has a spot on my growing list of role models.
A really great approach! I have my own goals to self-educating but it would be helpful to jot it down for myself in this way.
As a person with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in English, I think you have what you need for a foundation in literary studies, but would perhaps add some readings of critical theories and the application of those theories for a full experience. I’ve also been reading some classics that I’ve somehow evaded and been purchasing the critical editions to read the essays that analyze the works. It provides some varying perspectives!
That's good advice! I love reading essays about the novels. Thanks Kristen.
I think I get a bit intimidated by all the theories out there lol. I've mostly been reading them through the lens of new criticism, since that's what Francine Prose recommends in "Reading Like a Writer" and my goal is mostly to learn craft and human nature, not to publish scholarly articles about the works. But trying on a new pair of glasses once in a while does sound fun — what's your favorite way to read literature?
lol yes. I should have restructured my sentence to say “For the full English Lit college experience, I would suggest subjecting yourself (in the most negative connotation) to readings of critical theories.”
Oh, I definitely love New Criticism as well as I love a close reading. It’s what got me initially excited about literature, and I agree it’s a great way to enhance your own writing. I do also appreciate New Historicism when it comes to studying cultural impact on form and language rather than on broader plot/themes. It’s the “www.knowyourmeme.com” of critical theories.
I have been doing something similar for years. I am a bit older than you and started my self-education later but I am trying to make up for lost time. All the best in your endeavors.
The same to you Matthew! Thank you for commenting. I feel behind as well — I think most people do lol. The only ones who actually truly fall behind, however, are those that let the fear of "it's too late" prevent them from taking action.
Using google docs for goal setting? What is this, the 1950s?! Totally kidding - lots of good stuff in here and inspiration for getting back on the horse and tackling books I once picked up and never got through (looking at you, Nabokov).
This is a great list and very inspiring. I like your approach to getting a knowledge base of many subjects which I think is important. Thanks for sharing.
I like this a lot. I've always been a big advocate for rigorous self education. I try to create a curriculum for myself every 6 months or so. Very cool to see more people doing something similar!
Your curated self education sounds so much like mine and I wish to live a train station away from you! Appreciate your wonderful post, it has made my day :)
Thank you for the kind words! I'm so happy to have made your day.
Great article. Small recommendation to your planning and I’d suggest daily is reading the Bible. Version up to you I’d recommend KJV or NIV.
You can read a million books in a life time but only one can truly change a life, could be yours, for eternity.
And the byproduct of reading the Bible discovering Jesus, if changing your life for here and eternity isn’t enough, the Bible will inspire and explode your creativity and ability to fulfill your hearts desire, in your case perhaps to be great writer.
Happy reading 🙏
Thanks! I will get to the Bible someday. It's actually part of a DIY course I created called cornerstones of western literature. Will get to it next year hopefully!
As a lifelong educator, I find it very important for the education of young people today to be different and more self directed. I appreciate your work and the responses you get. You suffer from imposter syndrome which I understand completely. I hope you overcome it soon and are able to charge what you are worth. The method of educating the younger generation must change. Good luck to you with your journey. I will follow you and cheer you on. Simon Sinek inspired me to always start with “why”. Your work is better than you take credit for.
Thank you Kelly Ann! That means a lot. Start with why was one of my favorite tips. I appreciate the reminder.
Self-study is biggest project this year almost for the exact reasons you named as well. Im so happy that you’re finding your own meaning this year as well.
Thank you Audrey - I hope your studies go well!
Super helpful framework. I am on the tail end of my second masters, and while I’m excited for the freedom that awaits me after graduation I’ve felt a bit ill equipped to develop my own “curriculum” for my continued learning after school. This really gave me a good vision of what would that like that to look like. Thank you!
Thanks for reading, Matt! Happy to hear it was helpful. I've made so many mistakes in DIY curriculum building and self-study over the last five years, so hopefully this one helps you avoid those same silly mistakes.
Wow, this is a fabulous article - thank you for writing this! As an ADHDer who considers learning and research a hobby and who also wants to read more diversely and deeply to not only enhance my own writing but to also just learn more about life, this just really hit home. I think I'm going to pick up some of the books you mention as well.
Woo! Glad I could help. Thanks for reading. Keep me updated on your self-directed studies.
love this article! self study is so important and this looks like a great list. i actually did my dissertation on desire and sexual deviancy in david copperfield and great expectations and GE is my favourite dickens novel.
goodluck with your studies and remember that you get 100 free articles a month with a free jstor account! also for learning more about the author before reading, dickens has a super short sort of collection of essays called night walks that is really compelling and intimate feeling.
Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely check out those essays. I read he used to roam around London at night, so I'm sure there will be some good vignettes in store?
And what an interesting dissertation. "love her, love her, love her" from GE comes to mind lol.
Just finding this as you are finishing the first quarter of your self-education syllabus. Hope it is still going strong. I found your plan very inspiring. Your writing is good. So good I'm about to check out your other posts and perhaps subscribe. Like to do my part for the wedding! If you should ever want to take a field trip to enrich your reading, I live in the area where Frederick Douglass was born and could give you a very informative tour! Talbot County, Maryland is about 4 hours from New York. On the flip side, as I complete my TBR pile of classics, perhaps I can join you at the pub to discuss a classic? I am a retired educator and am currently putting together my own learning syllabus so I was able to get a lot from your plan. Thanks so much for sharing (& maybe don't take the $100 course - I have ideas). Keep reading, writing, and learning. It's my favorite job❣️
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. And if I'm ever passing through, I may just have to take you up on the tour! After reading the autobiography, I'm glad to say he has a spot on my growing list of role models.
A really great approach! I have my own goals to self-educating but it would be helpful to jot it down for myself in this way.
As a person with a Bachelor’s and Master’s in English, I think you have what you need for a foundation in literary studies, but would perhaps add some readings of critical theories and the application of those theories for a full experience. I’ve also been reading some classics that I’ve somehow evaded and been purchasing the critical editions to read the essays that analyze the works. It provides some varying perspectives!
Good luck on your goals!
That's good advice! I love reading essays about the novels. Thanks Kristen.
I think I get a bit intimidated by all the theories out there lol. I've mostly been reading them through the lens of new criticism, since that's what Francine Prose recommends in "Reading Like a Writer" and my goal is mostly to learn craft and human nature, not to publish scholarly articles about the works. But trying on a new pair of glasses once in a while does sound fun — what's your favorite way to read literature?
lol yes. I should have restructured my sentence to say “For the full English Lit college experience, I would suggest subjecting yourself (in the most negative connotation) to readings of critical theories.”
Oh, I definitely love New Criticism as well as I love a close reading. It’s what got me initially excited about literature, and I agree it’s a great way to enhance your own writing. I do also appreciate New Historicism when it comes to studying cultural impact on form and language rather than on broader plot/themes. It’s the “www.knowyourmeme.com” of critical theories.
“subjecting yourself” 😂
I’ll check out new historicism today! Appreciate the tip.
“My plan is to get better at using my notes as inspiration for articles.”
👆🏻 Me, too! ChatGPT has been helping me create a plan.
ChatGPT is a helpful course designer for sure! I use it sometimes to get hyper specific book lists.
Sweet! I love that!
I have been doing something similar for years. I am a bit older than you and started my self-education later but I am trying to make up for lost time. All the best in your endeavors.
The same to you Matthew! Thank you for commenting. I feel behind as well — I think most people do lol. The only ones who actually truly fall behind, however, are those that let the fear of "it's too late" prevent them from taking action.
Using google docs for goal setting? What is this, the 1950s?! Totally kidding - lots of good stuff in here and inspiration for getting back on the horse and tackling books I once picked up and never got through (looking at you, Nabokov).
This is a great list and very inspiring. I like your approach to getting a knowledge base of many subjects which I think is important. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I try my best to balance breadth and depth.
Your reading list for self-education is well timed for me, and reflects some other recommendations I’ve seen recently - thanks for sharing
Glad I could provide (or at least validate) some reading goal ideas!
I like this a lot. I've always been a big advocate for rigorous self education. I try to create a curriculum for myself every 6 months or so. Very cool to see more people doing something similar!
Ambitious plan!