How to set conditions for successful self-study?
February 6, 2024 2:53 PM Subscribe
What tips do you have to remain focused and on-track when doing solo learning for an extended period of time?
(Please pardon the first-world problems throughout...) I'm moving forward with plans to learn some new technical skills, partially to help my current job, but also for long-term career prospects in areas I'm interested in. This is basically been my short-term decision in alternative to going back to school, as I need to keep working for financial reasons while I upskill.
Anyways, I'm following an online class from MIT, which seems to be excellent. The lecture videos are good, lots of sample problems, lots of good resources on the internet of past students asking for help, etc.
My only issue is: I'm doing this in my free time after work, and after sitting at a desk focusing or trying to focus (mostly alone) for 8 hours, my motivation to continue to sit for another 2-3 hours alone and try to focus, at least a few times a week, is very low. I created a schedule up front where I will complete the class in about 5 months which is a reasonable schedule, but then I will just move onto the next class. I have about 4-5 classes in a series which I think will then allow me to pursue a project using those skills. I say this because I'm realistically looking at 2+ years of continuing to take several nights a week with 10-11 hour days sitting at a desk and trying to focus. I also need to get to the gym around 5 days a week due to a physical therapy plan I need to follow for the foreseeable future.
I'm worried that in the coming months I will simply feel too overwhelmed and reduce the pace significantly (at which point it will feel "useless" since I already have a lot of curriculum still ahead of me, and want to finish in a reasonable number of years), or quit entirely. In the past, I've taken in-person classes which helped me at least feel like I was in a group, and "suffering" with others somehow kept me motivated. I was thinking maybe there is a similar "buddy" / accountability system that could be useful online.
But basically, I'm looking for any tips especially from people who've done something similar and persisted.
(Please pardon the first-world problems throughout...) I'm moving forward with plans to learn some new technical skills, partially to help my current job, but also for long-term career prospects in areas I'm interested in. This is basically been my short-term decision in alternative to going back to school, as I need to keep working for financial reasons while I upskill.
Anyways, I'm following an online class from MIT, which seems to be excellent. The lecture videos are good, lots of sample problems, lots of good resources on the internet of past students asking for help, etc.
My only issue is: I'm doing this in my free time after work, and after sitting at a desk focusing or trying to focus (mostly alone) for 8 hours, my motivation to continue to sit for another 2-3 hours alone and try to focus, at least a few times a week, is very low. I created a schedule up front where I will complete the class in about 5 months which is a reasonable schedule, but then I will just move onto the next class. I have about 4-5 classes in a series which I think will then allow me to pursue a project using those skills. I say this because I'm realistically looking at 2+ years of continuing to take several nights a week with 10-11 hour days sitting at a desk and trying to focus. I also need to get to the gym around 5 days a week due to a physical therapy plan I need to follow for the foreseeable future.
I'm worried that in the coming months I will simply feel too overwhelmed and reduce the pace significantly (at which point it will feel "useless" since I already have a lot of curriculum still ahead of me, and want to finish in a reasonable number of years), or quit entirely. In the past, I've taken in-person classes which helped me at least feel like I was in a group, and "suffering" with others somehow kept me motivated. I was thinking maybe there is a similar "buddy" / accountability system that could be useful online.
But basically, I'm looking for any tips especially from people who've done something similar and persisted.
focusmate could be a good resource for getting you to sit and do the work to your schedule. You book time with another human who also needs to get some work done, and check-in with them quickly at the beginning and end of the session.
I've been using it to help me work on art projects, workouts and other items that I am having trouble getting started with. If I was going to do a class like what you are doing, I would use this.
It is free for booking up to 3 sessions a week. Here is my referral link, which gets you 1 month of unlimited sessions per week for free; if you sign up for a paid subscription eventually, I get a free month.
posted by chiefthe at 3:25 PM on February 6 [4 favorites]
I've been using it to help me work on art projects, workouts and other items that I am having trouble getting started with. If I was going to do a class like what you are doing, I would use this.
It is free for booking up to 3 sessions a week. Here is my referral link, which gets you 1 month of unlimited sessions per week for free; if you sign up for a paid subscription eventually, I get a free month.
posted by chiefthe at 3:25 PM on February 6 [4 favorites]
I am a writer with a full-time job (career, actually, more than full-time). In order to make progress on my various 12-36-month writing projects, I prepare a schedule at the beginning of a project, track my progress, and use weekly goals to keep myself honest. Daily goals are helpful, but the fluctuation of daily life make that less useful.
I have also occasionally (on top of writing and work) pursued various substantial hobby/learning goals. I have often found it easier to do these as classes, or based around some sort of learning unit.
Yes, an accountability buddy/group helps.
posted by cupcakeninja at 3:51 PM on February 6 [1 favorite]
I have also occasionally (on top of writing and work) pursued various substantial hobby/learning goals. I have often found it easier to do these as classes, or based around some sort of learning unit.
Yes, an accountability buddy/group helps.
posted by cupcakeninja at 3:51 PM on February 6 [1 favorite]
Change your surroundings for the studying part. Libraries and coffee shops both work well for me.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 1:44 AM on February 7 [2 favorites]
posted by I claim sanctuary at 1:44 AM on February 7 [2 favorites]
Another virtual coworking option is Flown.com
It's structured differently than focusmate so you could try both and see what you prefer.
posted by ambulanceambiance at 3:32 AM on February 7 [1 favorite]
It's structured differently than focusmate so you could try both and see what you prefer.
posted by ambulanceambiance at 3:32 AM on February 7 [1 favorite]
My only recommendation is either doing it after a BIG break from work, say 8pm in jammies OR primarily on the weekend. Anything to break it up from the daily grind.
posted by aetg at 5:14 AM on February 7 [1 favorite]
posted by aetg at 5:14 AM on February 7 [1 favorite]
Is there anyway to combine parts of your classes with other tasks to break things up from sitting at a desk? For example, I'm taking a GIS class at the moment and have taken to watching the background videos while doing dishes or folding laundry. The labs I sit down at my computer one night a week but I'm finding doing the video lectures separately has been helpful in breaking things up.
posted by snowysoul at 7:53 AM on February 7
posted by snowysoul at 7:53 AM on February 7
Can you split up study time between before and after work?
posted by oceano at 12:21 PM on February 7
posted by oceano at 12:21 PM on February 7
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If it's at all related to your current work, could you find someone in your workplace who wants to study the same course? When I was in a management role, I sometimes helped connect people who were interested in learning similar things so that they could form study groups.
posted by A Blue Moon at 3:19 PM on February 6