I like to add a resource for free learning to your list: university level open courses. Yale, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, etc, have free online courses. Some are short (30 min excerpts from longer courses), some are full lecture series. I'm listening to one now from Yale on Philosophy. I created a Notion form to take study notes. And if I come across relevant conversations online (like this one), I share what I learn. Thank you for your post. It inspires me to keep going...and maybe even to write a paper. 😊
If you’re looking for readings, try contacting your local public library and asking a reference librarian!
They can help with finding books, borrowing books and articles for free from other libraries (inter library loan), and helping you find influential texts and journals in any field.
Plus, library usage is one of the metrics that most municipalities use to decide how much money to give the library year to year. Using the library that your taxes already fund is a great way to help them have money to buy more great resources, among lots of other important services.
This might be one of the best things I've ever read. Not kidding. I've gotten interested in a huge number of things from people I've followed on the internet over the years like philosophy, theology, literature, poetry, film, music, art, architecture and how they've changed through time. Of course for years I've been saying to myself "someday I'll get serious and do deep dives into all these things" but have instead been overwhelmed and paralyzed by the volume of them, not knowing what to do first and where to start.
Making a structured curriculum with fixed hours for lectures and readings and then doing assignments to solidify knowledge of them seems like a no-brainer now but never crossed my mind before. Maybe I assumed that a curriculum could only be set by someone with decades of experience in the subject. Or I've just been stuck in my procrastination and naively thought that "someday" I'll magically have the discipline to quickly read difficult literature and absorb it without spending hours thinking and writing about it.
Whatever my excuses have been, I know this method you've laid out will be far better than the occasional high points I've managed to get in my reading and learning (your comment about motivation waxing and waning was perfect). I'm already brainstorming reading lists and syllabi for everything from ancient philosophy to pulp novels to horror. Now to get them down to paper and fleshed out.
Dude this is a huge encouragement to me. I'm actually pumped for you to try this out. I think someone like you will really benefit. I didn't mention in the post but eventually I started running 2 courses simultaneously because I have so many internet. It was nice to know what I was going to read each day beforehand
The online platform "Coursera" has tons of structured free courses and lectures on pretty much every topic from lots of differentuniversities. They usually offer all the lectures and course material in the courses for free.
You can even apply for scolarships to get an official certificate at the end of the course if you can't afford to pay for it.
Another tip that has complemented my studies:
If you are starting you studies in computer science look into the "CS50" course from Harvard. It does a great job at conveying the basics in an entertaining way.
I remember when you published the YouTube video for this. I started a course in logic, but then I fizzled out. I am glad that you put this out in writing. First, it reminded me to get back on it, and second having the post in writing helps with all the fine details.
I actually did my second one of these on logic. Those were good times. I completely nails my logic course when I got to it in grad school, to the point it was kind of boring by then haha. Thanks for the comment Jeff, the written versions are always more helpful for me than audio or visual as well.
I did something similar. I started looking into AI, Machine Learning and LLM. I ordered books you recommended in one of your videos and toom it from there.
☺️ I actually have three private universities. (1) martial arts (2) AI and (3) water treatment processes and technologies. I’ve created modules for each and going through them on rotarion.
My wife worked at my dream Seminary for 5 years before we got married. Right before our wedding she found out her spouse can get up to 8 semesters free or 1 degree. I snuck in 2 degrees in 6 semesters and didn't tell anyone, they sent 2 diplomas 😅 and the second I got academic scholarships for. The key to funding for an MA is usually finding a terminal MA program. If they offer phd programs at the school then the funding gets kicked up to the phd students
I have been thinking about creating a course for myself. Thanks for the step by step guide to get me started. This is simple, but a perfect way to break it down. I will get started today. My '' semester" starts August 1st!
This was a very fun process! After thinking about the credit hours I wanted to have and the course description, I leaned on the help of AI to come up with assignments, course material, and a course outline and agenda. After reading through the outputs I received back, I would come back to read what was written for that particular section and then make my own decisions! Now all that is left to do is to format this so that it resembles an actual syllabus, print it out, and place into a binder that will be comprised on the syllabus, book/article reviews, essays, and notes! I am so excited to make my self learning journey more enticing. I have always loved watching your videos, listening to your podcast episodes, and now reading your works! Thank you for being a big influence on my journey, and I am so happy to be born under a generation with individuals such as yourself sharing wisdom!
I like to add a resource for free learning to your list: university level open courses. Yale, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, etc, have free online courses. Some are short (30 min excerpts from longer courses), some are full lecture series. I'm listening to one now from Yale on Philosophy. I created a Notion form to take study notes. And if I come across relevant conversations online (like this one), I share what I learn. Thank you for your post. It inspires me to keep going...and maybe even to write a paper. 😊
Thanks! I used to take those free courses back when ITunesU was around. It was fantastic!
If you’re looking for readings, try contacting your local public library and asking a reference librarian!
They can help with finding books, borrowing books and articles for free from other libraries (inter library loan), and helping you find influential texts and journals in any field.
Plus, library usage is one of the metrics that most municipalities use to decide how much money to give the library year to year. Using the library that your taxes already fund is a great way to help them have money to buy more great resources, among lots of other important services.
This might be one of the best things I've ever read. Not kidding. I've gotten interested in a huge number of things from people I've followed on the internet over the years like philosophy, theology, literature, poetry, film, music, art, architecture and how they've changed through time. Of course for years I've been saying to myself "someday I'll get serious and do deep dives into all these things" but have instead been overwhelmed and paralyzed by the volume of them, not knowing what to do first and where to start.
Making a structured curriculum with fixed hours for lectures and readings and then doing assignments to solidify knowledge of them seems like a no-brainer now but never crossed my mind before. Maybe I assumed that a curriculum could only be set by someone with decades of experience in the subject. Or I've just been stuck in my procrastination and naively thought that "someday" I'll magically have the discipline to quickly read difficult literature and absorb it without spending hours thinking and writing about it.
Whatever my excuses have been, I know this method you've laid out will be far better than the occasional high points I've managed to get in my reading and learning (your comment about motivation waxing and waning was perfect). I'm already brainstorming reading lists and syllabi for everything from ancient philosophy to pulp novels to horror. Now to get them down to paper and fleshed out.
Thank you greatly for this.
Dude this is a huge encouragement to me. I'm actually pumped for you to try this out. I think someone like you will really benefit. I didn't mention in the post but eventually I started running 2 courses simultaneously because I have so many internet. It was nice to know what I was going to read each day beforehand
Also a great tip:
The online platform "Coursera" has tons of structured free courses and lectures on pretty much every topic from lots of differentuniversities. They usually offer all the lectures and course material in the courses for free.
You can even apply for scolarships to get an official certificate at the end of the course if you can't afford to pay for it.
Another tip that has complemented my studies:
If you are starting you studies in computer science look into the "CS50" course from Harvard. It does a great job at conveying the basics in an entertaining way.
I remember when you published the YouTube video for this. I started a course in logic, but then I fizzled out. I am glad that you put this out in writing. First, it reminded me to get back on it, and second having the post in writing helps with all the fine details.
I actually did my second one of these on logic. Those were good times. I completely nails my logic course when I got to it in grad school, to the point it was kind of boring by then haha. Thanks for the comment Jeff, the written versions are always more helpful for me than audio or visual as well.
I did something similar. I started looking into AI, Machine Learning and LLM. I ordered books you recommended in one of your videos and toom it from there.
Let's go! That's awesome
☺️ I actually have three private universities. (1) martial arts (2) AI and (3) water treatment processes and technologies. I’ve created modules for each and going through them on rotarion.
please let me know if you make a post on how to critically analyse especially in academic context
“which caused me to pig out on lots of extra classes” lolllllll I just paused reading to subscribe bc of that line
Haha great to have you here!
Loved this piece. I’m interested to know how you got a funded master’s because I’m looking into doing one and god they are expensive.
My wife worked at my dream Seminary for 5 years before we got married. Right before our wedding she found out her spouse can get up to 8 semesters free or 1 degree. I snuck in 2 degrees in 6 semesters and didn't tell anyone, they sent 2 diplomas 😅 and the second I got academic scholarships for. The key to funding for an MA is usually finding a terminal MA program. If they offer phd programs at the school then the funding gets kicked up to the phd students
Wow that’s such a cool situation you had, good job you had the desire to take advantage of it. Thanks for the advice on the MA, I’ll look into it.
I have been thinking about creating a course for myself. Thanks for the step by step guide to get me started. This is simple, but a perfect way to break it down. I will get started today. My '' semester" starts August 1st!
Wow! This actually so useful.
I'm so glad! It's served me well for years and years and years
This was a very fun process! After thinking about the credit hours I wanted to have and the course description, I leaned on the help of AI to come up with assignments, course material, and a course outline and agenda. After reading through the outputs I received back, I would come back to read what was written for that particular section and then make my own decisions! Now all that is left to do is to format this so that it resembles an actual syllabus, print it out, and place into a binder that will be comprised on the syllabus, book/article reviews, essays, and notes! I am so excited to make my self learning journey more enticing. I have always loved watching your videos, listening to your podcast episodes, and now reading your works! Thank you for being a big influence on my journey, and I am so happy to be born under a generation with individuals such as yourself sharing wisdom!
This is was SO good. Thank you🙂
This is so motivating and inspiring! Thank you for making this piece free to read. You’ve changed my look on my free time
🙌🙌🫡🫡
This is exactly what i needed !
I'm so glad 🫡
This actually made me really excited to start self studying! Thank you for this resource!
🙌🙌🫡