So after spending 16 years in my life at school, I am no longer forced into learning. All the opportunities I get for continued education come from my own initiative. I think it would be easy to just stop learning, but I love to get more knowledge. Since I’ve graduated from school, I’ve actual found that my learning had been more valuable and useful to me than many of the things I learned and since forgotten when I was in school. Here’s some of the ways I like to learn.

Books
I like to read, although for a long time I wasn’t necessarily into non fiction. But if I do pick a book that I am very interested in and is well written, I’ll make it through. Sometimes if it is a longer or less compelling book, I’ll make sure I actually own a copy and just keep returning to it. Eventually it gets read.

Audio/Video
Sometimes reading take too much effort. Listening to podcasts, audio books, watching documentaries, or online video often makes learning about things more simpler. I started to want to learn about Permaculture, but found I just couldn’t get through books at first. Instead I started to watch an online videos series while I exercised in the morning and soon found I was much more engaged.

Online Classes
There are plenty of free or paid online courses. Classes are often more structured and interactive. Paid classes have the added benefit of monetary motivation. In the few I’ve done I got much more out of it, because I paid for it. There is a lot out there though, so research a class and look for reviews before you actually pay for a class.

Online Feeds
Blogs, Facebook pages or groups, magazines, forums,  email lists, youtube channel, all provide an opportunity for casual learning without taking to much time. I will subscribe to things I’m interested in and its easy to just take the time I have to read or watch a bit.

Community Classes or Clubs
I like to keep my eye open at the library and other places for community education classes. Often they are free and are a great place to not only learn, but to meet people in the community with shared interest.

Finding Time
I find that as long as I am choosing things that are actually interesting and useful, motivation isn’t a problem. Sometimes finding time is. I do a lot of multitasking: reading during a meal, listening to something while I’m doing chores. It isn’t too hard to give away some leisure time, or participate in studying something with a group, friend or spouse. I like to set aside a bit of time either daily or weekly to just focus on studying and learning something new. A half hour at a time can quickly add up to finished books and classes.