1. Target Setting

In this initial stage, identify your learning goals and objectives. Determine what knowledge or skills you need to acquire and why they are important. This phase involves understanding your motivation for learning and setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. You should also assess available resources and potential constraints, such as time, access to materials, and financial considerations.

1.1. Objectives and Goals

It is important to be clear about what you want to achieve, which determine the reason, purpose, motivation or requirement of your study. This could be mastering a specific skill, gaining knowledge in a subject, preparing for an exam, or even finding a way to live and achieve the value of your life in the long term.

1.1.1. Interest and Passion

Simply, it is what you want to do.

Assess whether you are genuinely interested in the subject or technology. Your passion can be a significant motivator in the learning process. It is your personality that plays a decisive role.

Align your learning with your personal goals and career plans. For instance, if you aim to become a scientist or researcher, you'll need to focus on relevant scientific and technical knowledge.

But if you find that you don’t know what you want to learn, and you don’t know where your passion lies, then you need to try more. Try as many different projects as possible, and find out the advantages and disadvantages. And optimize the options by referring to personality tests, other people’s evaluations, etc.

1.1.2. Learning Difficulty and Prerequisites

Simply, it is what you can do.

Evaluate the difficulty level and prerequisites of the subject or technology. Make sure they match your current skills and resources.

But it does not mean that you cannot give it a try, while trying new different things or fields is always being encouraged. It can helps you know better about your limitations and discover yourself.

In addition, learning more difficult knowledge or skills often has unique advantages in work and research. Because it will mean that your competitors will become fewer and fewer as the difficulty of your research becomes more difficult. However, it also means that it is difficult for you to get support and help from others.

1.1.3. Market Demand and Job Prospects

Simply, it is what society and community need.

Look into the market demand and job prospects for the field. Technologies with wide applications and high demand, like artificial intelligence or data science, may offer more job opportunities.

However, this is usually the most crucial factor affecting decision making about profession for most of people. Because the end of graduating from a university or college is to find a job. Unless, you want to do research.

1.1.4. Long-term Development and Trends

Consider the long-term development and trends of the field. Is it a growing area with potential for future advancements?

The Product Life Cycle Theory, proposed by Raymond Vernon in 1966, is an economic theory that describes the stages a product goes through from introduction to its eventual decline. This theory can also provide insights into the future development trends of a field or specialization to some extent.

Figure 1: Product Lifecycle Curve

There is no absolutely permanent field or specialization. Based on the Product Life Cycle Theory, evaluating which field or specialization is worth learning involves looking at the stages of various fields and understanding their potential for growth and stability.

In Introduction Stage, new technologies or fields are emerging, and the related research and applications are still in their infancy. If your field is at this stage, it could indicate that there are significant opportunities and development potential ahead (means invisible). Typically 1-5 years later, it will transform to next phrase.

When a technology or field enters the Growth Stage, it experiences rapid development, and market demand and application expand. This stage usually offers good career prospects and abundant learning resources. It is a time of significant progress and opportunity (means many people are involved). Usually 5-15 years later, it will transform to next phrase.

During the Maturity Stage, the technology or field becomes stable, and market competition intensifies. The knowledge and technologies in this area are well-established, and career opportunities might stabilize (which means less work opportunities but more pressure). Innovation and changes might slow down, so focusing on optimization and staying updated with the latest advancements can be crucial. It will transform to next phrase within about 10-30 years.

In the Decline Stage, demand for the technology or field decreases as newer technologies emerge. Career opportunities may become limited, and professional development might face challenges. If your field is entering this stage, it might be wise to consider transitioning to more promising areas. (means RUN ASAP!!)This phrase can remain from 5-20 years or more.

1.2. Scope and Content

Study goals are broad statements that describe what you want to achieve through your studies. Your time is limited, as well as money, energy, etc. However, knowledge and information are infinite, which means that learning will never end if you don't let it to do so. That's why define the scope and range is important.

For example, if you want to learning Math for Software Engineering, then you just need to learn Discrete and Statistics instead of learning all Math theories. In fact, you won't have enough time for learning every aspect in Math system. While under a large target, there are many small targets. If you want to learn statistics, which is also a very large system, you may only need to learn a small part.

1.3. Constraints and Limitations

In the requirement phase of self-study, it's important to identify potential constraints and limitations that might impact the learning process. Recognizing these factors early on can help you plan effectively and devise strategies to mitigate any negative effects.

1.4.1. Time Constraints

Time is always a problem. In theory, if a person had infinite time then he could learn anything, but it definitely is impossible. Therefore, you have to keep how long you will spend on a specific study in mind in order to set a proper schedule. Additionally, you need to Balance self-study with other responsibilities such as work, family, or social commitments can limit the amount of time available for learning.

1.4.2. Resource Availability

As you noticed that this is self-learning, so there is no doubt that your resources can be extremely to access. Some resources, such as specialized textbooks, software, or online courses, may not be readily available or may require purchase.

Even the correctness and security of the resources you have cannot be guaranteed, and you need to prove the truth or falsehood yourself. In addition, the quality and comprehensiveness of freely available resources may vary, potentially limiting the depth of study.

1.4.3. Financial Constraints

What can I say? Books, courses, software, and other learning materials can be expensive, which may limit access to high-quality resources (but expensive ≠ high-quality sometimes). And some fields of study may require specific tools or equipment that involve significant financial investment. If you study medicine, you may even need to find animals to dissect (Well... indeed, I will learn everything in college if I'm rich. That shouldn't be a constraint but a feature of self-learning).

1.4.4. Lack of Guidance and Support

That is the spirit of self-learning, learning by yourself. However, without teachers or mentors, it can be challenging to understand complex concepts or receive feedback on progress. And it can be isolating, lacking the collaborative learning and support typically found in formal educational settings.

2. Study Planning

The design phase involves planning how you will achieve your learning goals. This includes selecting appropriate resources such as textbooks, online courses, articles, and tools. You should also consider the learning methods that work best for you, whether it's reading, watching videos, hands-on practice, or discussions. Additionally, develop a study schedule that outlines what you will study and when, ensuring that the plan is realistic and fits within your constraints.

2.1. Curriculum and Syllabus

You should break up the objectives and targets you previously made to many small tasks, and organize the learning materials into a structured curriculum or syllabus. This includes outlining the topics, subtopics, and specific areas of focus.

2.2. Strategies and Methods

By refering to Learning Pyramid, You can choose the most suitable learning methods for your learning, such as reading, watching videos, hands-on practice, problem-solving, discussions, or project-based learning. And you can incorporate active learning techniques, such as summarizing information, teaching others, or applying knowledge to real-world situations.

2.3. Resource Utilization

It's essential to strategize how each resource will be used to achieve specific learning goals. These supplementary materials can include academic papers, specialized websites, or expert lectures, providing a broader and more in-depth perspective on the subject matter.

2.4. Schedule and Time Management

Set specific deadlines or timeframes for when you plan to complete each study objective. Timelines provide a schedule for completing your objectives, helping you stay on track and manage your time efficiently.Timelines focus on when you need to do it (the schedule and deadlines).

Examples:

"Complete reading and summarizing chapters 1-3 by Friday in 13:00-15:00."
"Finish all practice problems by Sunday evening at 20:00."
"Submit the essay draft by next Wednesday at 9:45 for review."

3. Studying

During the Studying stage, you start engaging with the chosen learning materials and activities. This phase is about actively learning and absorbing new information. You might take notes, work on exercises, participate in discussions, or apply new skills in practical projects. It's important to maintain discipline and consistency during this stage to build a solid foundation of knowledge.

3.1. Environment Cleaning

Environment Cleaning is a valuable aspect of the Development phase in self-learning. It involves creating and maintaining an organized, distraction-free study environment, which can significantly enhance focus and productivity.

3.2. Active Learning Strategies

You need to choose the most effective methods for internalizing information, such as summarizing, note-taking, mind mapping, or discussing topics with peers (maybe from online). And you can try to explore different modes of learning, such as visual (videos, diagrams), auditory (lectures, podcasts), reading/writing (textbooks, articles), and kinesthetic (hands-on practice, experiments) until you find the best one.

3.3. Documentation

Documentation is an essential aspect of the Development phase in self-learning. It involves systematically recording and organizing the information and insights gained during the study process. This practice serves multiple purposes, enhancing the overall effectiveness and efficiency of learning.

3.3.1. Content of Documentation

Key Concepts and Definitions: Summarize the main ideas, theories, and definitions encountered during your study. Highlight the essential points that are crucial for understanding the subject.

Notes and Summaries: Take detailed notes during reading, lectures, or other study activities. Summarize chapters, articles, or videos, focusing on the most important information.

Examples: Document examples, case studies, or practical applications of the concepts being learned. This can include solved problems, code snippets, or real-world applications.

Personal Insights and Ideas: Include your reflections, questions, and insights gained during the learning process. Note any connections between new knowledge and existing understanding.

3.3.1. Different Forms of Documentation

There are many ways to document your learning, including traditional note-taking on paper, audio recordings, video summaries, and visual aids like diagrams. Each method has its unique advantages and potential drawbacks. Below is a summary of the pros and cons of these different forms of documentation.

4. Testing

In the testing phase, you assess your understanding and mastery of the material. This can be done through self-assessment, quizzes, practice tests, or projects. Testing helps identify areas where you may need further study or clarification. It's an opportunity to apply what you've learned in practical scenarios, which reinforces learning and helps solidify your knowledge.

5. Practice

Practice involves applying your new knowledge or skills in real-world situations. This could be through personal projects, work-related tasks, or any practical application of what you've learned. The goal is to integrate your new abilities into everyday practice, allowing you to see the practical value of your learning and gain confidence in your skills.

6. Review

The final stage, review, involves reflecting on your learning process and outcomes. Evaluate whether you achieved your goals and assess what worked well or bad, and what could be improved or abandoned. This phase is crucial for continuous improvement and adapting your study strategies for future learning. Reflecting on your progress also helps reinforce what you've learned and solidify your knowledge.