Embracing the Golden Age of Self-Learning

Photo by Roi Solomon on Unsplash

I like to call this time the golden age of education. With resources like YouTube, Udemy, and countless other platforms, it’s possible to learn almost anything online - often at minimal cost. Struggling with Excel? A ten-hour course could turn you into the office’s go-to Excel guru. Want to pick up the piano or a new language? It's all just a Google search or ChatGPT prompt away. We live in a time where self-learning has become both accessible and transformative.

Over the last decade, I’ve spent hundreds of hours on courses in everything from data science to web development, even taking piano lessons online. But recently, I found myself drawn to an unexpected passion - game development. As I started this journey, I realised something: I’m getting better at finishing courses, something I know from various online threads can be a challenge for many. So, I decided to document some techniques that helped me stay on track and share them with others who might be struggling to keep up with their self-learning.

A quick disclaimer: I’m not an educator, just someone who has experimented with different approaches over the years. Here are the methods that worked for me - and hopefully, they’ll help you too.

Self-Learning: No Different from Traditional Education

One of my favourite strategies is quite simple: treat self-learning like traditional education. Think back to your school days. In most places, lessons in subjects like languages, maths, and sciences are spread in a few hours across the week for the whole year. Now, imagine if instead you did three solid months of only maths, then three months of just languages, then three months of science….... I don’t know about you, but the thought of months of uninterrupted English Literature gives me a headache!

So, in my self-studies, I avoid focusing on just one thing for extended periods. Instead, I build a balanced curriculum. For example, when I was studying data science, I broke my week into three days of programming and two days each for statistics and linear algebra. Even in my game development journey, I keep a similar variety. This approach not only keeps things fresh but also helps avoid burnout.

Here’s why it works for me:

1. Breaks Help Resolve Sticking Points Getting stuck can be discouraging. When I hit a roadblock, knowing I’ll be moving to a different focus the next day “resets” my mind. Often, after a day or two, the solution to the original problem becomes clearer.

2. Avoiding Burnout Through Variety Even the most passionate learner needs variety. Switching from game development to 3D modelling, for example, helps me recharge, making me excited to dive back into coding.

3. Structured Planning Breaking up my studies this way also helps with planning. I dedicate specific days to different aspects: YouTube tutorials for 3D modelling on Tuesdays, texturing on Thursdays, and then blending it all on Sundays. I don’t need to worry about what I will do today, I just get on with it.

Don’t Stress About the Long Term; Prioritise the Present

“Why am I learning this?” “Is this the right course?” “What if there was a better option?” These questions creep up at least ten times a week, but my response is always the same: stop, relax, and keep going. In learning (especially self-learning), quantity often has a higher return on investment than quality. In other words, finishing an average course in Spanish still leaves you with more knowledge than spending hours in finding the perfect course.

Here’s an example: if you’re on a diet, whether it’s keto, paleo, or something else, nearly any option is better than doing nothing and eating fast food. Just pick one approach and start; you can always adjust as you progress along the way. When I started with game development, I found endless options online, so I quickly chose a course and committed to finishing it before exploring others. Focusing on one thing at a time helped me avoid unnecessary distractions and stay productive.

Make It a Habit and Dedicate Time to It

We’ve all heard the statements “make it a habit” and “consistency is key.” It’s cliché but undeniably effective. My approach has been to treat learning like any other responsibility.

1. Treat Learning as a Priority I have fixed learning sessions in my calendar (6-8am and 8-9pm), and everyone around me knows about them. I treat these times with the same importance as business meetings or social plans.

2. Integrate Learning into Daily Life We all have busy lives, but there are always pockets of time that can be redirected. I started watching educational videos over lunch instead of Netflix, adding 20 minutes of learning to my day. In addition, I aim to go to bed 30 minutes earlier to read or watch something educational before sleeping.

3. Set Goals In my job, we set SMART goals, and I use the same principle for my self-learning. I create six-month goals with monthly reviews. This helps me stay accountable and on track, contributing to that crucial accumulation effect.

Have a Project in Mind, But Don’t Get Distracted

The advice to “have a personal project” is common online, and for a good reason: it gives you direction and purpose. But I’ve seen this lead to a cycle of endless, unfinished projects. So, while having a personal project is useful, it’s essential to manage it carefully.

When I began game development, I dreamed of building the next great RPG, then a strategy game, and back again. But these distractions started pulling me away from my core learning. My solution? I committed to completing my Unreal Engine course and some 3D basics before diving into specific projects. Whenever a new idea popped up, I jotted it down in a “Future To Do” list and then went back to my current course. By the end, I had over 100 ideas to explore, but with a strong foundation to act on them.

Find a Way to Keep Yourself Accountable

I’ll close with something I avoided for a long time: accountability. Self-education is hard. There will be moments of frustration and doubt, and without accountability, it’s easy to give up. For a while, I kept my learning private, thinking it was “my thing.” But this time, with game development, I decided to share my progress online, stepping out of my comfort zone.

I started an Instagram account, joined a Discord community, and even began writing articles like this one. Do these things take time? Yes. But the trade-off is that they keep me accountable. If I ever feel unmotivated, I think of my next post, my commitments to friends, or the plans I’ve shared. The accountability gives me the nudge to keep going.

For anyone on a similar path: Find small ways to keep yourself accountable. You don’t have to make your learning public or post online; it could be as simple as sharing your goals with a friend or scheduling regular check-ins. Even a tiny commitment to share your progress whether in a journal, a private blog, or with a small group - can make all the difference. Self-learning may be a solo journey, but small steps to build accountability could? be the key to seeing it through.

In the end, the golden age of education offers an incredible opportunity to learn anything we set our minds to. Whether it’s programming, piano, or something entirely different, the resources are out there. All we need to do is start.

P.S. If you’re curious about my journey or would like to share your own, feel free to comment below, connect with me here on LinkedIn, or follow me on Instagram. Thanks for reading!