Taking On a Self-Study Challenge – Learning for Myself

 

Taking On a Self-Study Challenge – Learning for Myself

Have you heard about the MIT Challenge by Scott Young? It’s an incredible project where he set out to complete the equivalent of a four-year MIT computer science degree without ever setting foot on campus. Using only freely available online resources, he challenged himself to learn the entire curriculum on his own.

That idea stuck with me: using the internet the World Wide Web as a gateway to serious, independent learning.

And it got me thinking about my own journey.

I’ve tried to self-study before. I’ve told myself I’d take a course, follow through, stay consistent—but I didn’t. I started with energy and intention, then slowly stopped showing up. No one noticed, but I did.

So this challenge isn’t just about the subject I’m learning. It’s about proving to myself that I can keep a promise to myself, even when it’s hard.

This time, I’m approaching it differently.

What Is Self-Study?

Self-study is about learning on your own terms. There’s no classroom, no teacher, no deadline—just you and the material. It requires a deep level of self-motivation and discipline, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

For me, this challenge is a way to prove that I can learn something new without external pressure, even in a subject I’m unfamiliar with.

The Course I’m Taking

I’ve been wanting to take a course by Dr. Kagen Shelly, one that’s known for pushing students to think critically and deeply. While I’m still improving my coding skills, I’ve decided not to wait until I feel “ready.” I’m diving in now.

Here’s how I’m approaching it:

• Watch each lecture twice: First to understand the structure and overall message, then again to take notes and go deeper.

• Tackle the readings: Honestly, they might be tough—but I’m going to try my best to keep up. Even partial engagement counts.

• Make connections: I want to link what I’m learning to other things I’ve read, thought about, or experienced. That’s where real insight happens.

• Weekly updates: I plan to document how things are going—what I’m learning, what I’m struggling with, and what’s surprising me.

Why Is Self-Study So Difficult?

The biggest challenge is self-motivation. When no one’s assigning grades or setting deadlines, it’s easy to let things slide. That’s where intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation comes in:

• Extrinsic motivation is when you’re driven by rewards like grades, praise, or job prospects.

• Intrinsic motivation is when you’re driven by curiosity, growth, and personal fulfillment.

I’m aiming for the latter because I want this to be about more than checking a box.

Another challenge? Time. Life gets busy, and I know I may not finish the course as quickly as I’d like. But this time, I’m building in flexibility. If I need to adjust, that’s okay. The goal is to finish and to learn not to rush.

Why I’m Doing This

Because I’ve failed at this before.

Because I want to prove to myself that I can do it differently this time.

Because I’ve always wanted to take this class—and I want to give myself permission to learn just because I’m curious.

Self-study is more than just education. It’s a quiet kind of accountability, a personal test of follow-through. I’ll be sharing my journey weekly, and if you’ve ever tried (and struggled) to learn something on your own, you’re not alone.

Maybe this is your sign to try again—with more grace, more patience, and more persistence.