With an increasing number of new technologies and an expanding global population, self-studying is on the rise. Education is no longer confined to just the classroom, and some would argue that the classroom model is outdated and does not meet the intellectual needs of individuals in such an interconnected society.
Being an autodidact, or self-teacher, has become increasingly feasible due to MOOCs (massive open online courses), Internet encyclopedias, and more colleges and universities offering courses online. Learning a new language or obtaining a certificate for career advancement can occur from the comfort of your home, on your own time, and at your own pace. At low costs, these methods of education are encroaching upon traditional educational institutions.
What Is Self-Study?
Self-study is a method of learning where you take the initiative to study and learn new material on your own, without direct supervision or attendance in a formal classroom setting. It involves setting your own goals, choosing your study materials, and managing your time effectively.
Study materials can be almost anything, from Ted Talks about leadership to books to help with essay writing and storytelling. The self-studying approach can be highly beneficial as it allows you to learn on your own time, focus on topics that interest you, and develop strong self-discipline and critical thinking skills.
Learning Styles
Identifying your learning style can help you tailor your self-study techniques to be more effective and enjoyable.
- Visual learners prefer using images, diagrams, and spatial understanding to grasp concepts.
- Auditory learners retain information better when it is heard or spoken.
- Reading/writing learners prefer reading and writing as their primary mode of learning.
- Kinesthetic learners learn best through hands-on experiences and physical activities.
- Multimodal learners use a combination of learning styles.
Personal Learning Plans
Creating a personal learning plan is a powerful way to enhance your self-study efforts. It outlines what you want to learn, the resources you’ll use, the steps you’ll take to reach your objectives, and how you will organize your study schedule to ensure you stay on track. A personal learning plan:
- Tailors your learning experience to your specific needs and interests.
- Provides a clear framework to guide your studies and keep you organized.
- Helps you stay focused and motivated by setting clear goals and tracking your progress.
- Allows you to adjust your plan as you discover what works best for you.
Using Technology
Technology offers a wealth of tools and resources that can greatly enhance your self-study experience. Apps, calendars, and digital journals are great tools for productivity, note taking, time management, and tracking your progress.
The Internet is an optimal resource for aspiring autodidacts. With more sites geared specifically toward learning anytime and anywhere, individuals all over the world have access to a cost-efficient and customizable education. Udacity, edX, Coursera, and Academic Earth are just a few of the low-cost or free education providers available through the web. Classes covering a wide variety of subjects are available, and many contain lectures, quizzes, and tests that students complete at their own pace.
Self-Studying for College Admissions
Self-studying has many benefits, but perhaps the most important among them is how it helps enhance your profile for college admissions. Admissions officers like to see students take the initiative and go beyond their high school curriculum by exploring academic interests on their own. Additionally, high school students benefit from developing self-study skills to prepare for a more independent learning environment in college.
Online classes can be added to activities lists, and studying for subjects independently can be written about in application essays about how academic interests developed. Self-studying is not just an excellent way to highlight personal drive and intellectual curiosity when applying to schools — it’s also a great way to prepare for exams.
Self-Studying for SAT
A great way to take control of your SAT and ACT prep is by self-studying. The College Board offers free SAT practice tests and study materials — as does the ACT — that reflect the real test. Also consider using reputable test prep books and additional online resources. You can find a plethora of great study materials for standardized tests that fit your learning style. Joining a study group or finding a study buddy can help keep you motivated and provide you with positive reinforcement.
Self-Studying for AP Exams
For high school students, self-studying can help improve transcripts. In the context of Advanced Placement exams, self-learning gives students whose high schools do not offer certain AP courses the opportunity to still take AP exams. While it is hard work, independently studying for and taking AP exams can allow students to receive college credit before college even begins.
If a student takes an AP exam that isn’t offered at their high school and scores a 4 or a 5, that will show how they went above and beyond to learn that subject in depth. For example, if a student is interested in engineering, but their school does not offer AP Physics, they can study for and take the AP exam on their own to showcase this specific interest and dedication to colleges.
Benefits of Self-Studying
So, what are the benefits of self-study? In higher education, some argue that it is especially important for students to be assigned projects and material suitable for self-learning, so that they may exercise and develop intellectual independence and explore subject matter they personally find interesting. Self-study and traditional classroom learning complement one another. When used together, they help students learn and retain information better; however, the world is becoming more accustomed to the benefits of solely self-learning.
While it is unlikely that the classroom as an educational forum will ever be entirely replaced — as the benefits of a physical space for collaboration with intellectual and social growth are undeniable — self-learning will likely become increasingly integrated into traditional educational institutions. Students of all ages may find exploring a subject matter of interest, learning a new skill on their own time, or completing a summer reading list to be highly rewarding. After all, a sense of freedom and self-determination can come with being your own teacher, as it is believed that if people begin with learning what they really want to, then that thirst for knowledge will spread to other subjects.
Learning how to self-study effectively takes a lot of discipline and can be difficult at first, but like any endeavor, with time it becomes easier. Self-study, when done correctly, is a very effective learning tool, so it can be helpful when used to prepare for a test or learn an entirely new subject matter on your own.
10 Self-Study Tips to Make Your Learning More Productive
Ready to dive into self-study? Following these 10 self-study tips will ensure success.
- Set a realistic goal. Setting work goals for yourself, ones that realistically fit in with your life and other commitments, is important when creating self-study habits. You can set yourself up for success by assigning only a certain number of chapters to read each night, adjusting your workload according to how hectic your schedule is in any given week and giving yourself a mental break each week to let your mind rest.
- Study in a way that works for you. There are many ways to learn, and it is important to adjust studying techniques to find what works for your brain. Some students find reading aloud helpful, others like taking handwritten notes rather than typing. Discover whatever works best for you and stick with it.
- Review material the same day you learn it. After taking notes in an online course or reading the next chapter in your textbook, review all the new material by typing up your notes, practicing your new skill, or reading over a chapter again to help it resonate. While this may seem tedious, it only takes a short amount of time. Reviewing can help with long-term absorption of material, so it decreases the need for cramming in the future.
- Study in short, frequent sessions. Instead of treating your study session like a marathon, break up your material by topic into a series of short sessions, separated by short breaks. That way, you won’t be staring at your books or computer for too long while wearing on your focus, and your brain can absorb the material more easily. While cramming may seem like a great way to cover a lot of material in a condensed amount of time, studying in short, frequent sessions is a more effective way to learn subject matter and self-study.
- Test yourself regularly. Testing yourself helps you understand what you’ve learned and what areas still need work. You can use an online resource like Quizlet to help you convert your notes into flashcards and generate essay questions. This will help you better prepare for quizzes and tests you may need to take as part of the course.
- Explore additional resources related to the subject. You can find a variety of additional resources that can enhance your understanding of the subject you’re studying. Look for videos, podcasts, books, and articles that can help you dive deeper into the subject. If the course you’re taking recommends resources for further study, check those out, too.
- Set a schedule. Self-studying requires discipline, so it can be helpful to stick to a schedule. Designate a study time — preferably the same time each day — and commit to it. Add a reminder to your phone at first, so you’re prompted to study at the designated time. Before too long, it will develop into a habit.
- Create a personalized study space. When learning remotely, it is important to create a study space for yourself. By setting aside a desk or table that is a designated environment for self-studying or completing an online course, you will know to be mentally prepared to learn when you enter that space.
- Monitor your progress. Keep a record of what you’ve learned and the tasks you’ve completed. This can be done through a journal, spreadsheet, or an app. Be flexible and willing to adjust your plan if certain methods or resources aren’t working for you.
- Stay motivated. Celebrate small victories along the way to keep yourself motivated. Join study groups, online forums, or find a study buddy to share your progress and challenges.
Why You Need Mentorship, Too
Self-studying can be incredibly rewarding, but having a mentor can significantly enhance the experience. For example, research mentorship can be valuable to students who wish to complete an independent research project. A research mentor provides guidance, helps to navigate complex topics, and offers feedback — resulting in high-quality, college-level work that the student can submit for publication or presentation at a conference or competition. Overall, mentorship adds a layer of support and expertise that can make self-study more effective and fulfilling.
Self-studying is a useful tool to enhance any learning experience, and when mastered, students young and old reap the benefits. Whether applied to studying for an AP exam or exploring new material independently due to sheer curiosity, self-studying can lead to new opportunities academically and professionally. Remember to utilize the world around you! Technology has put knowledge at your fingertips, so take advantage of all the easily accessible and low-cost tools at your disposal.
Can’t decide which self-study courses are best for you? IvyWise counselors are experts at helping high school students find relevant ways to enhance their learning outside of the classroom. Schedule an Initial Consultation to learn how we can help you with college prep.
