How to Start Self Studying (and Actually Enjoy It!)
A step-by-step guide to learning anything you want—without burnout, boredom, or endless procrastination.
Since starting university, I’ve accidentally cultivated a habit I never planned for: self-learning. Outside of lectures, deadlines, and required readings, I’ve found myself exploring random topics—ones that have nothing to do with my degree.
Over time, this "side hobby" of mine turned into something more structured. I now have four (almost five) journals filled with notes, reflections, summaries, and scribbles from all the random things I’ve studied over the years—from psychology concepts and philosophy to tech trends and economic theories.
If you’re someone who’s naturally curious, or just want to become more intentional about learning beyond what’s taught in the classroom, this post is for you. Here's how I balance self-study alongside college life—and how you can, too.
Step 1: Focus on 1–2 Topics at a Time
You know that feeling when your brain wants to learn everything at once? That’s the trap. If you’re curious about everything all at the same time, it’s tempting to hop from one topic to another. But when I did that, nothing stuck. I’d read a bunch of random things and forget half of it a week later.
Instead, I now pick one or two topics to focus on per semester or break. This gives me time to really dig deep without burning out or losing interest. It also helps me retain what I’m learning.
Example: Last semester, I focused on cognitive biases and how they affect decision-making. This break, I’m diving into the basics of storytelling across different media.
Step 2: Carve Out Study Time (Even Just a Bit)
Unlike schoolwork, no one’s grading your self-study progress. That makes it easy to push off. What helps me stay consistent is setting small, flexible time blocks.
During the semester: I might do 30–60 minutes a few evenings a week.
During breaks or less busy weeks: I’ll block out longer sessions on weekends.
Even if it's just while eating breakfast or winding down at night, those pockets of time add up.
Step 3: Keep Your Learning Organized
You don’t need fancy tools, but you do need a place to store what you’re learning. Otherwise, it gets lost in the void.
Some ideas:
A dedicated notebook or journal (I keep separate ones for different years or broad themes)
A private Notion page or Google Doc
A hybrid system (handwritten notes + digital storage)
I personally prefer physical notebooks for major topics and use the Notes app on my phone to quickly jot down ideas or quotes I come across throughout the day.
Step 4: Start with a Research Sprint
Before diving into a new topic, I like to spend a single session doing a quick “overview dive.”
During that session, I:
List 5–10 subtopics I want to explore
Identify key terms, thinkers, or movements
Jot down recommended books, articles, or podcasts
This gives me a rough map to follow, while still leaving room for curiosity to take the lead.
Mini Example: Studying Modern Mythology
Thinkers: Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung
Concepts: Hero’s Journey, archetypes, collective unconscious
Media: Video essays on storytelling, mythology-focused podcasts, short articles
Step 5: Write It Down in Your Own Words
Writing helps me process what I’ve learned. Sometimes I summarize a chapter, sometimes I reflect on how a concept connects to something I’ve seen or read before.
This isn’t about writing an essay. It’s about solidifying your thoughts and making sure they’re not just floating around in your brain.
Step 6: Share What You’re Learning
This part is optional—but incredibly powerful.
You could:
Create content around what you’ve learned (a blog, a short post, a TikTok video)
Start a casual group chat or newsletter with friends to share cool findings
Talk about it over coffee or dinner with someone curious
Explaining something out loud—or presenting it in a digestible way—forces you to understand it on a deeper level. And bonus: you might inspire someone else to learn alongside you.
Bonus Tips
Switch up your resources: Mix books with podcasts, YouTube deep-dives, academic papers, or even TikTok explainers. Different formats activate your brain in different ways.
Find online spaces for your topic: Reddit threads, Substack newsletters, or Discord communities can connect you with others learning the same thing.
Carry a mini notebook or note app: If you stumble across a cool idea or fact in daily life, capture it quickly before it disappears.
Make it enjoyable: Study at a cafe, play background music, or give yourself themed days (e.g., “Theory Thursdays” or “Science Sundays”).
Final Thoughts
We’re all constantly learning—whether we mean to or not. But making it intentional? That’s where the magic happens.
Self-learning doesn’t need a syllabus, a grade, or anyone’s permission. If something sparks your interest, chase it. You might be surprised by how much you can teach yourself—bit by bit, notebook by notebook.
If you’re doing your own self-study journey, I’d love to hear about it. What are you learning right now?
Wish I could take this timeline and your guide back to the 2000s when I was in college 😊😅
Self learning is a good thing , in all ages