Is it possible to be self-taught? Of course! You will need to have a willingness to learn, self-discipline to stay focused, and a level of interest that exceeds the standard level of education.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Show Curiosity
Step 1. Be curious
A curious mind tries to educate itself. By asking questions, you can discover a ton of things that many people do not know and will never know.
- There is no limit to the number of questions you can or should ask.
- Realize that some people are bothered by questions. In fact, the less a person knows and the less patient he is, the more irritated he gets at a question. This aspect in itself tells you a lot.
Step 2. Read, observe and see the things you don't know
Try to expand your mind by going beyond your comfort zone and see how others think, perceive and understand things.
- If you've only seen romantic comedies, go see a documentary or action movie instead.
- If you've only read comics, try a novel instead.
- If you've only seen car rallies, go see an exhibit at the museum instead.
Step 3. Challenge yourself
The curiosity is all about pushing yourself beyond what you are used to. There will be times when you will feel really uncomfortable, not up to par and maybe even upset when trying to learn new things. It can especially happen when you feel stupid, ignorant, or when your beliefs and values falter. These are times when you need to keep pushing yourself to learn and gain superior wisdom about whatever you have been avoiding thus far.
Method 2 of 5: Improving the Basics
Step 1. Read the works of Italian literature and improve your grammar as much as you can
Read authors of all kinds and don't assume it's worth focusing on contemporary writers. As you broaden your reading, you will discover that thought expresses itself in multiple forms within the same language and that the way of seeing the world is wonderfully varied.
When you feel more competent in this area, turn to other languages. Realize that learning a language means immersing yourself in another culture
Step 2. Extend learning beyond what school or college teaches
If you are learning or have learned the basics of math, science and other subjects, find out what there is still to know and learn it. There is much more to it than just the basics and most of the time you will find yourself facing much more interesting challenges than those undertaken in the early stage of learning.
- If you've studied a topic badly, don't let this insecurity hold you back. The brain is plastic and is capable of being rewound to relearn and learn new things. Tell yourself that deficiencies in math, chemistry, or spelling are things of the past that you can remedy today. So, prepare yourself this way.
- Many college and high school textbooks are very useful starting points when trying to study or update yourself on basic concepts. Use them to get you on the right track, then extend the boundaries of learning.
Step 3. Read every day
Always try to read something and make reading an activity you can't do without.
- Read the history of the world and get to know the different cultures. Understanding history is the key to understanding the present. It is one of the best ways to learn self-taught.
- Read about others who have studied self-taught. You will have a lot of tips and ideas on how to continue your journey to improve on your own.
Step 4. Don't neglect self-discipline
Self-taught learning requires good self-discipline. You won't have anyone telling you to meet deadlines, give the right answers, or study. It's all up to you, so you'll need to keep yourself motivated. In itself, the development of self-discipline is a very important part of self-learning.
Method 3 of 5: Learning with Others
Step 1. Learn with other people
There are many ways to do this, continuing self-taught:
- Join groups or discussions made up of educated people.
- Take a college course or get a degree or diploma.
- Check the level of disciplines taught at the university. It means no exams, but pure learning. Immerse yourself in this.
- Attend conferences, seminars, debates, etc. Together with other people, the light bulb may light up while you continue to study on your own.
Step 2. Listen to older people
They have lived a long time and, therefore, have incredible memories of things as they once were. You can and will learn a lot from them if you take the time to sit down and listen to them.
If you think what they say is old-fashioned and strange, put your prejudices aside and take them seriously. There are genuinely human things to be learned from older people, regardless of the technological advances currently achieved
Step 3. Go to the Internet
Sign up for a MOOC (massive online courses open to all) or a similar one. Many are free and will give your learning an extra boost. You can also interact with other people, get and give feedback.
Step 4. Observe the habits and behavior of educated people
Take what you think is right from them to improve thinking and understanding.
Step 5. Choose a leader to follow or a role model for your life
Who inspires you? Who said and / or did things that really caught your attention and that you intend to undertake too? These are the people who make a difference in life. You can be inspired by them to promote your learning and the depth of your knowledge.
Method 4 of 5: Learning Beyond the Basics
Step 1. Become familiar with religious beliefs
Learning about religion is important for understanding the deepest human beliefs and feelings. Try to learn everything you can about each religion and show respect for all faiths.
Step 2. Learn to be a good and dedicated researcher
The research brings up several answers, but many people lack the patience and tenacity that characterize a good researcher. This is a great skill that you should develop, because it will allow you to discover many things, from the simplest (such as what time the library is open until the weekend) to the most complex (why do stars die?). However, all the things in between these two extremes also matter, namely those that make the gears of daily life turn, such as resolving disputes between neighbors over property boundaries, knowing how to get the municipality repaired broken playground equipment, and be aware of how to be received by the mayor. Knowing how to look for the answers will give you many practical feedbacks to those doubts that curiosity has stimulated you to raise.
When looking for or discovering something new, if the question you ask yourself starts with a 'why' or is related to the reason and purpose of a particular topic, don't stop investigating
Method 5 of 5: Using Self-Paced Learning
Step 1. Try to behave like an educated person, regardless of how you feel
Try to act and, later, learn from your failures.
Step 2. Share your knowledge
Let people know that your connections depend on the way you converse and interact with the people around you. If you are a conscious and active citizen, you can make a difference in everyday life and also be committed to encouraging change within your community.
Advice
- Develop a basic understanding of what is right and what is wrong.
- Respect everything in the world.
- Be realistic and studious instead of wasting your time having fun. Pleasure is necessary in life, but anyone in the world can enjoy it, so what makes you different from others are your education and ideas.
- Read the newspaper, consult the news online and be up-to-date on world scenarios.
- Solve math problems to develop logical-mathematical intelligence.
- See everything as a phenomenon to be learned and think for yourself on each point.
