How my personal curriculum is helping me rebuild my mind to become a better learner, while still enjoying the process.

I have noticed now more than ever, people are realizing that they are consuming more information than ever, but remembering almost none of it. It is the kind of half-life learning that comes from TikTok videos or Instagram reels that condense information into a handful of seconds. 

I have lived in this cycle for some time now, and have begun to feel as though my mind fills up quickly like a cup with overwhelming information, but then when I put the phone down, it is almost empty from what I just consumed. Short-form content has encouraged a mode of thinking that is quick and interesting, but shallow and forgettable.

Eventually, I began to turn to long-form content that demanded my attention for a longer duration. Whenever I engage with content that causes me to slow down, reflect and follow a sustained line of thought, I feel a different part of my mind reactivating. When I recently completed a real estate law certificate, I found myself genuinely energized by how much I retained. That kind of learning felt grounding, and I knew I wanted more of it.

As I leaned into longer, more deliberate forms of learning, I began to develop something I now call my personal curriculum. It is not a list of things I hope I do someday or a rigid academic plan. A personal curriculum is a framework for the kind of mind I want to build. It is a self-designed education shaped entirely by the subjects, skills and areas of personal growth that matter to me. It is made up of categories that reflect my intellectual, creative, physical and spiritual interests. Although mine has grown quite extensive, it did not begin that way. The idea behind it is simple: curate your own education instead of letting the algorithm curate it for you.

What surprised me most was how naturally my screen habits changed once I committed to longer forms of learning. I did not force myself to spend less time on my phone; I just found myself drawn to activities that held my attention more deeply. For example, I have been very into documentaries recently, which have become more engaging to me again than short videos. 

I have also come up with a list of certificate courses I want to go through, because those feel more enriching than fast-paced trends and quick explanations. My mind wanted to slow down and retain what I consume. 

I have come to understand that building a personal curriculum is about reclaiming your mind. Your attention is valuable and worthy of intentional investment. Curiosity is a skill that must be nurtured, not numbed.

Your own curriculum does not need to look ambitious to be meaningful. Begin by paying attention to what you wish you understood better. Think about subjects that you return to repeatedly in your thoughts. Think about the skills that would make your life easier or more fulfilling. Once you identify your interests, group them loosely into categories. Perhaps some are related to physical health, academic goals, creativity, spirituality, finance, personal projects or intellectual passions you never explored in school. These categories give structure to your curiosity, and these are all ones I have in my own personal curriculum.

From there, choose learning formats that require long-term retention and focus. Books, documentaries, lectures, slow-paced long videos, in-person experiences, hands-on practice, reflective writing or structured courses all qualify. These formats allow learning to sink in and allow one to really immerse oneself in the material. I am always left feeling nourished rather than resentment towards myself for wasting my time, which has also prevented me from draining away my day.

A personal curriculum’s purpose is to guide growth without adding unnecessary pressure on yourself. Twenty minutes of reading, one documentary a week, a module of a course or limited time but consistent skill practice is enough to create meaningful progress. A personal curriculum about adopting a lifestyle of continuous learning that moves with you through different seasons of your life. Some seasons will emphasize physical growth. Others will be dedicated to academic knowledge or creative skills. At other times, it will require you to focus on personal reflection or spiritual development. Your own curriculum should adapt to these shifts in your life.

One of the most interesting outcomes of maintaining a personal curriculum is how it changes your relationship with time. When your days are filled with meaningful learning, time feels richer. Even the quiet moments, the ones that used to be filled with scrolling, become opportunities for curiosity. You begin to feel excited about what you will learn next, and this anticipation brings a sense of purpose. You discover that learning is not only something you do in classrooms or when you are preparing for exams. It becomes something you do because it makes you feel more alive. 

Ironically, this has reminded me of how much I used to enjoy learning in an academic context and has made that more enjoyable and fulfilling again as well.

When you spend time learning things that matter to you, you begin to feel more capable. Your thoughts become clearer and your writing improves. The conversations you have daily have more depth, and you begin to understand the world with more nuance. I feel a lot more connected to my identity because my learning reflects my personality.

This is why I believe that building a personal curriculum is one of the most valuable things a student can do, especially in an environment like university where it is easy to become consumed by academic learning. A personal curriculum allows you to take ownership of your intellectual life rather than letting only your degree dictate the scope of your mind. It reminds you that you are allowed to be curious beyond your major, to study things that will never appear on an exam and to grow in ways that are not showcased on a transcript but are present within your character.

In a world that encourages quick consumption and forgettable knowledge, choosing depth is an act of self-respect. Building your own personal curriculum comes with realizing your mind deserves nourishment. 

The slow and deliberate joy of learning something truly stays with you, and that is the way we should all be indulging in consumption.