personal curriculum

On Personal Curriculums;

One helpful way to refine your objective is to imagine you had to teach someone else about this topic in six months. What would you want to be able to explain to them? This naturally pushes you toward deeper, more connected understanding rather than surface-level familiarity.

Break Your Topic into Logical Units

Most subjects have natural divisions or progression paths. Your job is to identify these and sequence them in a way that builds knowledge systematically.

For Creative Skills:

• Unit 1: Fundamentals (basic techniques, tools, terminology)
• Unit 2: Elements and principles (composition, colour theory, etc.)
• Unit 3: Style studies (analysing work you admire)
• Unit 4: Personal projects (applying what you’ve learned)

For Academic Subjects:

• Unit 1: Historical context and key figures
• Unit 2: Core theories and concepts
• Unit 3: Contemporary applications and debates
• Unit 4: Critical analysis and personal perspective

For Technical Skills:

• Unit 1: Environment setup and basic concepts
• Unit 2: Core functions and common patterns
• Unit 3: Building simple projects
• Unit 4: Advanced techniques and best practices

Choose your Rhythm

The beauty of self-directed learning is that you can adapt the pace to your life. Consider:

• Daily bite-sized learning: 30 minutes each morning with your coffee
• Weekly deep dives: One 3-hour session every Saturday
• Monthly intensives: One full weekend per month dedicated to learning
• Seasonal themes: 3-month quarters, each focused on a different aspect

Mix Your Media: Combine different types of resources:

• Text for depth and reference
• Video for visual learning and engagement
• Audio for learning during commutes or exercise
• Interactive content for hands-on practice

Types of Learning Assignments

For Analytical Learners:

• Write essay responses to weekly readings
• Create mind maps connecting new concepts to things you already know

For Creative Learners:

• Create visual summaries or infographics of key concepts
• Write stories or scenarios that illustrate principles
• Make art, music, or other creative work inspired by your studies

For Practical Learners:

• Build projects that apply new skills
• Solve problems or complete challenges
• Teach someone else what you’ve learned
• Create step-by-step guides or tutorials

For Social Learners:

• Join online discussion forums
• Start a study group or book club
• Write blog posts or social media content about your learning
• Record yourself explaining concepts out loud

Weekly Assignment Ideas by Subject:

Literature/Philosophy:

• Write 500-word response papers to each reading
• Keep a quote journal with personal reflections
• Create character or concept analysis charts
• Host imaginary debates between different philosophers/authors

History:

• Write diary entries from the perspective of historical figures
• Create timelines with personal commentary
• Compare historical events to current situations
• Research your local area’s connection to historical events

Creative Skills:

• Complete daily/weekly practice exercises
• Copy work by masters, then analyse what you learned
• Set increasingly challenging personal projects
• Document your process and progress visually

Weekly Reflection Questions:

• What was the most surprising thing I learned this week?
• How does this week’s learning connect to what I studied before?
• What questions do I still have?
• What would I like to explore more deeply?
• What was challenging, and why?
• What would I tell someone else about this topic?

Connection-Making Exercises:

• Create concept maps linking new information to your existing knowledge
• Write about how this week’s learning relates to your personal life or other interests
• Identify patterns or themes across different units
• Note contradictions or tensions between different sources or ideas

—All by Sarah Rae Draws on Substack found on this digital garden

status - 3. sprout