School life is one of the best times in most of our lives. But I know this to be true that school is not for everyone. While I totally respect the fact that basic education helps us grow into responsible citizens, if you would like to continue your educational journey once your fundamental studies are done, the school may not be a necessary part of your life any longer. I have complete respect for those children who continue school even after high school is over to further their education, but I know that I can compete with their knowledge by educating myself in ways that do not involve a school. I am going to tell you about 9 smart ways in which you can educate yourself after your high school years are over, without going to school.
Online education
Technology has been far more grateful to us now than ever before. It has opened a whole lot of avenues that we can explore to educate ourselves. Search for online courses and lectures and you will get numerous options depending on your country and area. Attending online lectures and online courses will give you the same type of education that you may have received if you continued school. A lot of prestigious universities are investing in online education. So you will not find yourself limited when it comes to online courses and lectures.
Podcasts
iTunes has a huge library of podcasts that share insight about almost every topic on earth. There are a lot of recordings that you can explore and the good part is that they can be downloaded. You do even have to take time out especially to listen to these recordings. Listen to them on your way to work or while you have free time and it will help you get knowledge about the topics of your choice. Some of the most popular podcasts that help you learn things are – Stuff you should know from Howstuffworks.com, Learn Spanish from Spanish Pod 101, and Zencast.
Slideshare and YouTube
If you are on a DIY mission then videos can be very helpful, and there is no better place for videos than YouTube. There are a huge number of informational videos on YouTube that cover a lot of topics.
Slideshare is another place where a lot of information is shared by LinkedIn users. The users can upload the files in different formats. Keeping in mind that LinkedIn is a professional networking website, you will find some very helpful insight from professionals regarding the topic you are trying to educate yourself on.
On-site seminars and Trainings
This is another great alternative for those who are avoiding school because of the amount you need to spend on books. On-site seminars and training give you the chance to meet others who share your love for a particular subject in person. You can understand things more clearly and also find the way others perceive the subject.
These seminars and training can encourage and challenge you to learn more and find out more about the subject. A lot of queries about the subject can also be answered by those who are learning about it with you.
Webinars and Online seminars
If you do not have the time to make it to on-site training, then webinars and online seminars can be good options. You simply log in to the webinar and delve into the rich exchange of ideas on a topic or a subject. You will get a chance to talk to professionals who have an insight about the subjects and who can help you understand things easily. If you already have immense knowledge in that field, then you will be able to help others too and you can also take the opportunity to enhance your knowledge when others put forward questions that you had never thought about.
Google University
We are all aware of Google’s overwhelming presence in our lives when it comes to looking for information. So how about taking it a step ahead with Google’s endeavor to make your search results more refined by showing up searches from universities and learning education? To use this method of searching you need to type in “site:.edu” followed by the topic you wish to search. It makes searching for content extremely easy when you want to look for educational information.
Company matters
Give yourself the gift of good company because the people you sit with are the ones who influence the way you think and the amount of knowledge you possess. Do not limit yourself by choosing a company that may not further your urge to augment your knowledge. Allow your mind to be stimulated in the presence of people who may challenge you so that you can learn more and become more knowledgeable.
CDs and DVDs
The world of media is rich with knowledge, and if you are trying to explore a certain topic then a good idea will be to buy some CDs and DVDs regarding the topic and watch the videos. It is easier to understand a thing when you get the chance to see it rather than just read about it. Explore the different CDs and DVDs you have on a topic and pick the ones that have good reviews to help your learning curve be easier and smoother.
Travel
This is one of the most exciting ways to educate yourself and one of the best things about traveling is that you usually do not forget the experience. You come across a variety of cultures, languages, people, food, and places that teach you things naturally or by tapping into the information houses of the place you are traveling to. You can have history, geography, and sociology blended into one travel plan. While these are not the only subjects that you will learn while traveling, exploring your travel plans will give you a chance to see for yourself what you wish to learn while traveling.