The benefits of self-education

What we learn in school is essential, of course, as it lays the foundation for our future. But learning shouldn’t end after we graduate from formal studies—it should be a lifelong endeavour. 

In our modern world, self-education options abound. There are online courses in every subject imaginable, from personal growth and professional development to new hobbies or language skills.

With restrictions and lockdowns on and off across Australia and the world, we’re all spending more time at home. The future of remote work and remote learning looks bright, and maybe now is the time for you to consider what to do with that extra time you may have.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of self-education in Australia, as well as the best online learning platforms to consider. Keep reading to begin your educational journey!

What Will You Gain From Self-Education?

Maybe you’re a parent watching your kids master online schooling. Perhaps you’re hoping to expand your skill set and work your way up from an entry-level position. Or maybe you’ve always had a fascination with astronomy or art history, and you’re finally ready to explore your passion.

Whatever your motivation for self-education, it’s a decision you’ll never regret. Here are some of the many benefits you’ll enjoy from your self-guided education.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Are you ready to start climbing the corporate ladder? Are you graduating soon and need a few certifications before you enter the working world?

Whatever the case, online self-education can bridge the gap and help you meet those goals. Rather than spending months or years at a traditional university, you can choose only the courses you need for your career path.

Flexible Learning Schedule

Do you already work a full-time job and you only have time to learn in the evenings? Are you a busy mother with a few hours to study while the kids are at school?

Self-learning online is ideal because you can decide when and where you’ll learn. You have full control over your learning environment, too, whether it’s a nearby coffee shop or your home office. Most platforms allow you to view materials as often as you need to, meaning you can learn at your own pace and study when it’s convenient for you.

Low-Cost (Or Even Free) Learning

Did you know that many of the best learning platforms are completely free? We’ll touch on that more later, but consider how much you can save learning online versus attending in-person classes.

You also save on commuting costs, as you don’t have to go any farther than your living room couch. As long as you have a computer (or smartphone) and an internet connection, the world is literally at your fingertips.

Bonus: Self-education in Australia is tax-deductible! If what you’re learning relates to your current work or you’ve received a bonded scholarship, you might qualify for a deduction for self-education expenses.

Increased Happiness & Satisfaction

Let’s not overlook one of the best aspects of self-education, which is the personal growth you’ll enjoy from what you learn. 

Maybe you’re not interested in career advancement at all. Perhaps you just want to dive into a subject you’re passionate about, learn a new skill, or start a new hobby. These are all great goals!

Self-educated people are happy, productive, and driven. Their confidence grows as they acquire more knowledge, which spurns them on to learn even more. And who knows—your self-education could open exciting new possibilities you may never have considered before!

Online Learning Platforms & Educational Websites

Are you ready to experience some of these fantastic benefits for yourself?

Your next step is finding the best learning platform for your interests. Here are our recommendations for stellar educational websites in 2021.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy offers everything under the sun, thanks to its partnerships with different universities. You can find everything from basic math and world history to physics, calculus, and civics. 

Over 18 million users log in every month, making Khan Academy one of the most popular online self-education choices. Their goal is to provide high-quality education to everyone, meaning it’s 100% free to sign up and learn.

Udemy

Udemy partners with professors and universities around the world to offer more than 150,000 courses. The platform began focusing on technology and computer science, but now you’ll find an array of offerings in every subject imaginable.

From equine science to journaling to video editing, you won’t run out of exciting things to learn at Udemy. You can also create custom courses from the lessons you receive, which is another feature that its 50 million students love. Although not free to use, its courses are a bargain for the quality of education you receive.

Coursera

Coursera has partnered with over 200 universities and companies to offer continuing education to students and professionals. If you need a specific certificate to advance your career, chances are you can find it on Coursera.

The courses focus mostly on business and computer science and are always updated to include the latest developments. Whether it’s AI, IT, Python, graphic design, or cloud engineering, you can find what you need to expand your skillset. Many available only on these universities’ internal websites businesses use Coursera as a convenient and affordable way to educate their employees.

Open Culture

Would you like to take free classes from respected universities in Australia, the UK, and the US? Open Culture offers thousands of courses, lectures, and podcasts from respected professors around the globe.

Bonus: It gives you access to the same study materials that are available only on the internal websites of these universities. If you’re looking for advanced self-education resources to master a particular subject, this is the platform to try first.

Where Will Your Self-Education Journey Take You?

Whether you’re a young person or young at heart, learning something new is never a waste of time.

If you’ve been thinking of continuing your self-education online, use the advice listed above in your journey. Explore the recommended websites and platforms to find the best learning options for you.

Please share this article with anyone you know who may be interested. At Dystech, we are passionate about promoting alternative learning methods because we know that many people with Dyslexia thrive with self-guided learning. If you are curious about dyslexia? Click here to learn more, including information on dyslexia e-Assessment.