Let’s Try Again – Back to School

So after being furloughed indefinitely in the Pandemic, I have spent the past two months studying three languages and taking various online courses to learn important business skills. Then I realized, that without even really noticing, I was continuing my idea of “The Alternative Graduate”!

(I even bought some school supplies the other day! )

So I thought, why not start documenting my journey again for all of you?

If there is one important thing I have learned over the last two months, it is HOW to learn. Somedays, I think I spend more time studying this than I do actually learning an applicable skill. I’ve also learned a lot about technological and other advances in the modern workplace (which is a great thing when University is almost 15 years behind you and you’ve spent the last eight years at sea without high-speed internet!)

So what I have done, is re-written and condensed, modernized and made more obtainable the original program. Bonus: All of it can be done for free from your own home!

First a note on the things I removed…

Travel: I know this was THE main tenant of the original program, however I took it out as it is not very realistic during the current pandemic times. Travel is already ingrained in my life, and I still managed to add some new countries to my list pre-pandemic – so you will see update posts on those later!

Fitness: This is not something I feel is really part of education. I am also working under the assumption that most adults already have an established fitness routine (however intense or relaxed it is) so, you do you. Personally, I am a big fan of the “7-minute Workout”, but I also enjoy a good Zumba or Yoga class now and then.

Now, without further adieu, the modernized and simplified…

10 Step Alternative Graduate Program

1. General Knowledge: Read The Know-It-All, by AJ Jacobs. The place to start.
2. General Knowledge: Develop this habit – Watch or listen to one TED Talk every day (this is easily done by subscribing to the TED Talks Daily podcast, alternatively you could create a playlist based on your interests on Youtube or in the TED Talk App). This replaces the “random Wikipedia page” part of the original program.
3. Language Arts / Grammar: I will still read Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott (unless someone can recommend a newer and fun book covering grammar?) You can also still sign up for the Grammar Girl Podcast, but I’m trying to keep things manageable. Listening to the occasional episode is a good idea though!
4. Language Arts / Foreign Language: Learn a foreign language – obviously I kept this one!  You can use all kinds of free resources online: Youtube (I recommend Easy Languages), DuoLingo, Podcasts, HelloTalk, or this site’s “Beginner” lessons to get started (especially those more fond of the textbook method).
   The idea is to spend 30 minutes to 1 hour each day on your target language.
5. Language Arts / Speaking: The original program had you sign up for a speaking club. I think there are many ways to practice now, you can even do it via Skype or Zoom! Combine two tasks, sign up for speaking in your Foreign Language – you can do it with a site like iTalki or sign up for this 30 Day Speaking Challenge. Either way, technology is the way of the future, we need to embrace it.
6. Language Arts / Reading: Yep, that’s still an important part!  But I shortened it.  Choose 10 Non-Fiction Books, 5 Classic Novels, and 5 Modern Classics. Try to vary it to cover a range of topics. You could also use your reading to replace the “travel” tenant of the program by reading travelogues and books about other cultures. I’ll share my updated list in a later post.
7. Religion: Read the Bible, the Torah, and the Qur’an. Yep, I still kept this part because I still think it is extremely important in understanding the cultures of today. To further your appreciation and understanding, read one of the following books from Karen Armstrong: A History of God, The Battle for God, or the Great Transformation. It will really put your readings into perspective. Also check out The Religions Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained, if you’re still a bit confused.
8. Business / Economics: The original program suggested buying a subscription to The Economist and reading it religiously. I prefer the hip and free e-news, The Morning Brew. Plus, they deliver it right to your inbox daily so you have no excuse not to read it! If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can test your economics skills on the stock market. I like Robinhood, it’s completely free to trade, though you do still need real money to buy the stocks!
9. Business / Technology: Take an online course in Computer Programming, Data Analytics, or Digital Marketing. No seriously, almost every job these days requires at least one of these skills. You can take free online courses on a number of platforms, including FutureLearn and EdX.
10. Other Skills: Learn one other new skill. You can take free online courses as mentioned above, or if available, in-person courses (these may cost money). It can be something marketable like Marketing or Copywriting, or something to round you out, like Photography or Piano or Tango.

Extra Credit: Check out these free online courses to build other useful professional skills. I’ve already completed one full program, and they are currently giving you a free certificate (normally you have to pay extra for the actual proof that you completed it!)

 

For those of you still confused as to what I am talking about, please refer back to my original posts and reasons for starting this blog.

For those of you wondering, I am hoping to finish by the New Year (it is currently July). But really, should we ever stop learning?!