Effective self-study

Goal planning

The first step to effective self-study is to know how to set a goal from the beginning and plan to achieve it. This step is quite simple, but many people often skip it. Planning will help you be more persistent with your education, understand the results you want to achieve, thereby avoiding feelings of discouragement and wanting to give up.

To plan a goal, you can write it down on paper, or on a take note app (Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, Quip, Sticky Notes, .. ), … Then put it in a visible place on the desk. For each goal, break them down by setting a "deadline" for completing each goal. Doing so will keep you motivated to study every day.

Selecting effective learning resources

Selecting the right material is also an extremely important step. Usually in class, you will learn according to a specific route, or curriculum. As for the self-study method, you will have to find the material yourself. On the Internet there are countless documents on many different topics and fields. You should consult carefully before choosing materials to study.

The most trusted resource is the library. In addition, you can also consult teachers and friends about quality books, compare and contrast each document, then choose. You can also join learning groups on Facebook, or learn via Youtube…

Selecting effective learning resources

Create a comfortable and quiet study space

Many people often overlook creating a comfortable study space when starting to study on their own. An airy, quiet and clean space can determine the mood of your day to study and work.

If you do not have the conditions to go to cafes to study, you can also "invest" in a home study corner for yourself. Just tidy up the desk, rearrange the furniture, books, decorate the desk a bit, etc., and you will have more motivation to study.

Create a comfortable and quiet study space

Take notes while studying

Taking notes is indispensable when embarking on self-study. Many people have the habit of taking pictures of a page of a book, or taking notes on a phone or computer... However, this is not as effective as taking notes on paper. Because when you take notes with a pen, your brain will remember information faster and longer.

However, one thing should be noted is to filter the information to record. Not always taking a lot of notes will be effective. For the knowledge that is dry or too much, you should only record the keywords, underline the main ideas that need to be memorized.

Take notes while studying

Optimizing learning methods

Studying a lot is not necessarily as effective as selective learning. Each person will be suitable for a different learning style. You can try a variety of learning methods, then choose the one that works best and stick to it. Methods that you can try are drawing mind maps, combining study and relaxation, studying while taking notes, learning via Youtube...

Optimizing learning methods

Practical connection through theory

Just learning from books is not enough. You need practical experience to remember deeper knowledge. For example, when learning English, after learning vocabulary and grammar, you should practice listening and speaking skills by talking with foreigners, practice communicating in English with friends, practice speaking in front of a mirror and taking notes. echo your voice…

This is a way for you to learn both theory and practical experience. Then, you should relate and compare those experiences with theoretical knowledge to draw experience for yourself.

Practical connection through theory

Actively seek support if you have difficulty

Self-study is self-directed, self-learning knowledge without depending on others. But that doesn't mean you separate yourself from the people around you. In the process of self-study, you can exchange questions, or advanced knowledge with teachers, friends or anyone with specialized knowledge. Actively seeking support when facing difficulties will help you acquire a lot of useful knowledge, and at the same time make self-study much easier and more effective.

Actively seek support if you have difficulty

Practice and consolidate knowledge regularly

Regularly cultivating and consolidating knowledge is an indispensable step of the self-study method. There are many ways for you to consolidate your knowledge such as: studying in groups with friends, doing advanced exercises, asking teachers, reading more books on professional knowledge... Besides, you can also do it yourself. Schedule a time to review your knowledge after you have finished studying.

If you are subjective and think that you have learned a lot of new knowledge without reviewing, then gradually, you will quickly forget what you have learned. As such, you will have to learn from scratch, and the self-study process will take longer.

Practice and consolidate knowledge regularly

Practice self-discipline

The key factor for effective self-study is that each person must have self-discipline. Self-study is not waiting for anyone to remind. Self-study is when you have the effort and determination to conquer knowledge. Without self-discipline, you will quickly become bored and lose motivation and interest in learning from the very beginning.

To practice self-discipline, you can try using a daily study schedule. Every day, you just need to study in a fixed time frame, don't have to study too much. Maintain this for a long time, learning will gradually become a habit, and you will be self-aware with your learning without having to depend on anyone.