1. Set a clear goal
Write down what you want to learn and why. A goal such as "read 10 pages a day" beats "read more".
Learn How to Learn
Becoming self-educated is simple and rewarding. You only need curiosity and a little daily routine, and you can start at any age.
Five steps to start
- Identify your learning goals.
- Question the significance of things.
- Seek out interesting challenges.
- Monitor your own learning process.
- Share your learning with peers and mentors.
Focus timer
Study in short bursts with breaks in between. Work with full attention for a set time, then rest. Short, focused sessions are easier on the brain than one long stretch.
Six habits of self-learners
Self-education is a self-motivation process. It builds your skills and your confidence. Choose one habit to begin with.
- Read blogs and articles
- Take online courses
- Talk with friends and family
- Listen to audiobooks
- Listen to podcasts
- Watch learning videos
Want to understand an idea properly? Try the Concept Corner.
Study skills that work
2. Ask questions
Curiosity is the engine of learning. After each topic, ask why it matters and how it connects to what you already know.
3. Recall it from memory
Close the book and try to remember what you learned. Testing yourself builds memory more than simply re-reading.
4. Review again later
Look at it again after a day, a week and a month. Spreading out your practice helps knowledge stay with you.
5. Teach someone
Explaining an idea in simple words shows what you really understand and fills the gaps.
6. Rest well
Sleep, walks and breaks are part of learning, not a waste of time.
Believe you can grow
The psychologist Carol Dweck popularised the idea of a "growth mindset": the belief that abilities can be developed through effort, good strategies and help from others. Struggling with something does not mean you are bad at it. It means your brain is learning.
Try adding one word to your thinking. Instead of "I can't do this", say "I can't do this yet."
A learning plan for every age
Children
Read or listen to one story a day, play a learning game, ask "why?" about one thing, and draw what you learned.
Teenagers
Pick one skill outside school, such as coding, writing or a language. Practise 20 minutes a day and keep a short learning diary.
Adults
Choose one online course, read 10 pages a day and teach a colleague what you learn each week.
Seniors
Learn a new digital skill with a grandchild, keep the mind active with puzzles, and write down your life lessons for the family.
Books to start with
Wings of Fire
The life story of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, written with Arun Tiwari.
I Am Malala
Malala Yousafzai's story of standing up for girls' education, written with Christina Lamb.
The Story of My Experiments with Truth
The autobiography of Mohandas K. Gandhi.
The Panchatantra
A famous collection of ancient Indian animal fables with lessons about wisdom and friendship.
Look for these at your local library, which is free and a wonderful place to learn.
The power of sharing knowledge
Knowledge grows when it is shared. When people exchange what they know, whether in a family, a classroom or a team, they create new ideas that none of them had alone.
Teams share more when they trust one another and when leaders set the example by asking questions, admitting what they do not know, and thanking those who teach. If knowledge stays in one head, everyone else misses out.
Try it today: teach one thing you know to one person, and ask them to teach you something back.
Free places to learn
SWAYAM (opens in a new tab)
Free online courses from the Government of India.
NPTEL (opens in a new tab)
Free engineering and science lectures from the IITs and IISc.
DIKSHA (opens in a new tab)
Digital learning content for school students and teachers.
Khan Academy (opens in a new tab)
Free lessons in maths, science and more for learners of all ages.