How to Teach Yourself Anything

Most of what I've learned hasn't been in school. Teaching myself has been a ton of fun, and it hasn't been that hard. I've kind of been learning things on accident. Here is how!

If you like what I'm doing, consider subscribing or leaving a like. Thanks for watching!

For more science, please check out the rest of my channel!

[manimax]

I'm so glad this isn't a 9 minute skillshare ad.

[GeekyMino]

Goal + fun == rapid learning! Great video man!

[iiAzido]

I just discovered this channel (thanks Tom Scott!) and I'm LOVING it. I'm currently at university studying elementary education (endorsement in science) and this video is something that I'll definitely be thinking about as I continue into a career in education. I hope I can make my students as excited about learning as you are!

[Kavukamari]

i gotta be honest, the doorbell just sounded like screeching to me... am I missing something?

[cla]

This is kinda what school attempts to teach you. They're not teaching you important life skills such as knowing how to do taxes or how to program. But instead they attempt to teach you how to learn but in a way worse process. Unlike this process they don't have the fun nor the goal in mind. They instead just try cramming information down your throat and expect you to retain it until the end of the year. In my band class I barely learned anything. Nothing about how to correctly read the notes, chords, or scales. But once I obtained other instruments that were more interesting to me such as a melodica or a harmonica I quickly begun to understand chords, scales, and notes. I didn't learn much from common core math either. When I decided to attack a much advanced project such as a little laser etcher I learned way more and way faster. So basically in our educational systems we need stuff that can actually interest students and actually have a goal to engrave it into our minds better.

[drorsheffer]

I'm So happy I discovered thus channel, its proof that you don't need crazy editing and to be yelling all the time with flashy graphics to make a good and informative video.

[maxximumb]

This is how I teach myself things. I learn new skills because they help me make fun projects. I learnt to program in a ZX-81 because I couldn't afford to buy games. I learn electronics because I wanted a remote control car. The list is endless. I learnt stuff so I could make cool things. Even now at over 50 I'm still teaching myself new things to I can make other things.

[kasiastepien]

This is so simple, and yet... I have frequently struggled to learn new things because my learning process wasn't framed around an objective. And forgetting to make it fun! Reflecting on my own education (in school and otherwise), I've retained very little knowledge based on rote memorization, but wherever it was fun and useful, it generally stuck. Thanks Kurt, this has been a useful reflection for me!

[victorperezdomingo]

You are totally right! Fun + Objective are the key things that help you a lot. but there are other important things to take into account.
When you want to learn something, the key is to be SMART.
Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
Measurable (meaningful, motivating, ).
Achievable (agreed, attainable).
Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
Time bound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).

You can google SMART goals for further reference ;)

[Twit.Tw]

I loved playing Battle Chess on the Commodore Amiga here in the U.K., in 1987 😍

[larschristerbillback]

I've been taking quite a lot of online classes at college and university level in parallel with full time work (I'm in Sweden, and I only have to pay for books and whatever obligatory meetups etc might be scheduled), and here's two things I've come to appreciate: A clear plan/schedule ('cuz it sucks to have to suddenly arrange for a week of absence from work) and "Don't fear the repeat test". (Side note number 3: don't expect perfection of yourself if you're doing something that'd usually require full time attention WHILST keeping up with a full time job.)

[oitopatas]

Just love the honesty of your speech! I can't remember when was the last time I saw someone on YouTube asking for feedback through a dislike... Bravo 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[Amazing_Man]

I enjoyed the video Mr Kurtis. It was fun and enlightening. I tried learning french as well from time to time, but I give up to easily. What sucks the most is that I studied in two french speaking nations; The Republic of Benin and Togo. Both lovely and beautiful countries. I spent a total of 3 years ; 1 in Benin and 2 years in Togo. Yet my french is still terrible I'm back to Nigeria now, which is my country, and one thing I really wanted to learn before leaving Togo was french. But I'm not giving up at all and I know by the grace of God I'll be able to communicate fluently in french before the end of next year. Amen!

[VraietLumiere]

watching all your videos this past week and you've really changed my perspective on how I view my own ability to learn. since watching your videos i've been thinking about going back to school to study something i never thought i'd ever have the guts or brains to do, and that's science. so thank you for kindling a interest in me, and for helping me find something that makes me feel purposeful. :)

[spadaacca]

This is one of the most important videos on YouTube.

[CPUwhisperer]

This video is almost 2 years old, but I absolutely love it. You're so right! That's how, and why, I taught myself to program. I have a blast doing it. Similar to what that one gentleman mentioned, I never actually taught myself to JUST program. I had projects I wanted to complete, problems I wanted to solve, and putting everything in that context made everything so much more natural to accomplish. Nothing felt like a chore.


I do have to say, I discovered your channel a few weeks ago, just before you got the second subscriber plant, and I have shared more of your videos in such a short time than I ever have. The information you present and the insight you provide is just so valuable and relatable. I genuinely enjoy and value your content, and I appreciate you so much. Keep it up bro!

[jeromechauvistre]

I am an interdependent filmmaker from germany and have to learn new stuff every day. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on self-teaching because it has changed the last week for me. I was stuck in a routine of "i-dont-want-to-do-that" because i didnt have an good objective. Look at stuff from an other angle has helped me a lot. So thanks and keep on creating great videos.

[gabrielengle]

I think this is a very accurate video. In fact I kind of figured that out with one aspect of my life and people were looking at me stupid because I was talking about how when you make it fun it isn’t a chore. And now that have something that helped me pair what else is productive I’m glad. I will share the video.

[EnduranceOfAtlas]

you are a very helpful individual thank you, i feel like i give up so easily when things get hard and i really shouldn't i should do what you said and find fun things to learn thanks again chief

[Ryanspointingatfailure]

I 100% agree with everything your saying. I have taught myself 3 musical instruments and now I teach others music, I'm a self taught artist, painter, tattoos etc. Practice makes perfect and if you don't make it fun or have a good reason to do it then you will not care about it. Good joh