Build Your Own Curriculum

08.03.26

By: Shariah James

For the first part of our lives, someone else decides what we learn.

We’re given class schedules, assigned reading, and told what will be on the test. But at some point, graduation comes, and for the first time, we get to decide what our education looks like.

I think that’s one of the most exciting parts of becoming an adult.

What if you built your own curriculum?

Not for a grade. Not for a degree. Just because you want to become the kind of person who’s always learning.

Maybe that means reading biographies of leaders you admire, learning about investing, or finally diving into those business books you’ve had on your shelf. Maybe it looks like reading more about your faith, listening to thoughtful podcasts on your morning walk, or taking a cooking class while you’re traveling.

Your education doesn’t have to stop with books, either.

Go to museums. Wander through beautiful libraries. Attend a university lecture. Watch documentaries that make you think. Spend an evening at the symphony, a play, or a musical. Visit historic places. Sit in a local coffee shop with a notebook and simply observe. Some of the best lessons you’ll ever learn won’t come from a classroom.

The best part? Your curriculum doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Maybe you’re passionate about public health. Maybe you’re fascinated by architecture, psychology, literature, or entrepreneurship. Build a life that reflects what genuinely interests you, not what everyone else says you should know.

The fun part is that there’s no right way to organize your curriculum. Create a system that you’ll actually enjoy coming back to. Maybe it’s a Google Sheet with categories like books, podcasts, documentaries, museums, coffee shops, business conferences, and countries you want to visit. Maybe it’s a journal where you write down your favorite quotes, lessons, and reflections after each experience. Set goals that inspire you, celebrate your progress, and don’t worry about checking every box as quickly as possible. This isn’t about finishing, it’s about building a life filled with intentional experiences you’ll never forget.

Remember: the most meaningful education isn’t always the one that earns you a diploma. Sometimes it’s the one you choose for yourself!

XO,

The Kléi