Knowledge is the New Currency
As social gatherings, fashion shows, art museums, and all things that require us to be in close-quarters have been brought to a standstill, many of us have quickly found ourselves spinning for answers.
Though these past few months have been tumultuous, we are now left with our own thoughts and questions, having sudden apprehensions bout the world around us. With everything temporarily uncertain, it doesn't leave a whole lot of options for those cooped up inside doing their part. One new method that has recently seen an emergence of (mainly because of the internet) is self-education or self-study. This form of learning sees many benefits & advantages that allows you to take control of what, when, and how you want to study.
empty school building
As schools shut their doors to the public around the world, many of these places have switched to online learning based platforms. A great opportunity that has given even more access to everyone globally. Never had the chance to attend that program from overseas? Now you can learn all that & more in the comfort of your own home.
From my personal experience, self-education can be incredibly exciting one moment and exasperating the next. However, if done correctly and applied in a structured way that works with you, the feeling of achievement & accomplishment is worthwhile. Here are a few tips from us to consider before you begin self-educating.
Create your schedule & study environment
Set yourself up for the best way to learn and create your schedule & study environment. I recommend not using your bedroom as your studying area (although a usual go-to for many people) because let's face it, your body naturally knows your bedroom is a sanctuary for sleep - you might end up feeling more sleepy than attentive when studying.
Instead, find a specific time in your day that works best for learning. When you are at your most alert and mindful. Consider your chosen study area which should be free of clutter, furnished with essentials (like notebooks & pens), and near a window if possible. I find looking outside is a great way to break up your thoughts and let the information sink in.
Use various sources..
This is no surprise and common-knowledge to some, but the internet is not only home to good, self-educating links & websites, but harbours misinformation & ambiguous sites. Using various sources and making your own educated opinion is the best way to learn from various links.
Don't settle with just choosing one source to get all your information on a topic. Instead, do some research, go online or read a book on the topic and ask questions to better understand what you're learning - and from whom. I suggest typing a topic online, opening several tabs, then learn and understand pieces of information that is consistent throughout all the sources. It's not full-proof, but can better assist you in making your own educated-judgement.
What should I self-educate myself on?
Now is the time to learn almost anything you can think of or have had interest in. Maybe that sweet cinnamon-bun recipe you always wanted to bake, or something completely different like understanding the basics of economics. With almost every single piece of information you can imagine being available online, the study materials are virtually endless. You can come across some vast and thought-provoking things you never knew before. The journey for discovering something new is always an exciting one, but where to begin..
open-concept library
From students beginning to understand their career paths to professionals of their field, self-education is beneficial for everyone. Now is the time to develop skillsets you've always wanted to learn, or brushing up on a topic you know well altogether. Although a daunting task, teaching yourself should be looked as any daily activity - like a work in progress. And a chance to improve yourself for whatever the future may hold.
Our picks
Below you'll find some links to various subjects which have been used and highlighted by the Secret Location team. Here are our favourites!
Fashion & Sustainability: Understanding Luxury Fashion in a Changing World
Understanding Fashion: From Business to Culture
Duolingo: The World's Best Way to Learn a Language
Master Class: Learn from the Best
Harvard University: Online Courses
Yale University: Open Yale Courses