Ask HN: How do you manage self-study?

Article summary

The author feels overwhelmed by the amount of things they want to learn, including theoretical knowledge and practical skills, and struggles to organize a study schedule. They have the right materials, but need a tool or methodology to stay focused and track progress. The author is looking for a system to manage their self-study and prioritize what to learn next. They want something more interactive than just using pen and paper.

Main themes

• self-study management
• prioritization
• motivation
• learning strategies
• goal setting
• self-compassion

What commenters say

• Creating a schedule and setting goals can help individuals stay motivated and focused on their self-study.
• Having a project or a specific goal in mind can help guide the learning process and make it more effective.
• Some people prefer a 'pull' approach to learning, where they are drawn to a subject by interest or necessity, rather than a 'push' approach, where they force themselves to study.
• Teaching others can be a great way to learn something oneself, but it requires some level of knowledge and expertise to avoid contributing to the spread of misinformation.
• Prioritization is key to managing self-study, and individuals should focus on the most important or interesting topics first.
• Self-compassion and not being too hard on oneself is crucial when faced with the feeling of being overwhelmed by the amount of things to learn.
• Breaking down learning into smaller, manageable tasks and using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix can help individuals prioritize and stay on track.
• Letting current needs and interests determine what to learn next can be a more effective approach than following a predetermined plan or syllabus.