I consider myself a lifelong learner. I also consider myself a literary procrastinator. I write much faster than I read, and I read much more selectively than I like to admit.

I often think, “I wish I had time to read what I want to and have energy to read it all the time.” So, in 2024, I made time and conserved energy. Here’s how.

Most people have a reading list, even if they don’t like reading. It’s the list of, “If I only had the time and energy,” or even the self-notation, “People keep recommending this one.” But I also decided not to berate myself for not reading. Choosing not to be the book bully made it eleven times easier to write out my first self-syllabus. It’s a commitment to learn and explore enforced only by me.

An example of what I sign every quarter of the year is below. I encourage anyone to write something similar or borrow my version to save you time. Copy & paste, create your own, whatever works.

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Mark with an “x” that you understand each part of the self-syllabus in the box provided.

[ ] I will be kind to myself first and a self-evaluator second. It is not my job to gain perfection.

[ ] Reading sessions are on an honor system. I show up every day I can, and that’s enough.

[ ] I am accountable to my calendar. If I am present, I will mark myself present. If I am absent, I will mark myself absent. If I am dropping a subject or reading, I will file that accordingly.

[ ] If I don’t study as planned, I will not punish myself. I will mark the missed session in my records and adapt to the gap in learning. I will adapt to the gap in learning at the next session.

[ ] I study based on a 4-quarter academic year. Each 3-month quarter allows me to continue education on a subject as well as drop a subject without retribution. As needed, new readings may be selected and structured, especially at the end of each quarter.

[ ] It is not required to finish assigned reading by the end of the quarter. It is only required to evaluate my learning regularly to continue, pause, or cancel a subject or reading.

[ ] All materials are self-provided. All learning will be scheduled on calendar(s). Use of apps like Asana or Evernote for task tracking are allowed. Library loans are encouraged when possible.

Sign & date here to agree to this syllabus: x_________ x __________