The flexibility of self-paced learning is undeniable—it’s fantastic for fitting study around life’s demands. The ability to work at my own speed and dive deep into content when it suits me is invaluable. However, the isolation that comes with it is another story entirely. The lack of student interaction and minimal staff engagement is draining, and I’m finding it harder to stay intellectually stimulated. It’s almost ironic, given that I’m studying neuroscience. Our brains are inherently social organs, wired for connection and collaboration. Research consistently shows that we learn and thrive better when we engage with others, exchanging ideas, challenging perspectives, and building networks.
And yet, in this program, the very people running it don’t seem to prioritise these opportunities. The lecturers are supportive, and the content is rich, but the structure of the course seems to work against the social nature of learning. I’ve spoken to my lecturers about this, and while they’re sympathetic, they point out that it’s simply the nature of a self-paced program. It’s frustrating to love what I’m studying but feel so isolated while doing it.
Because educational neuroscience is interdisciplinary—combining psychology, education, and neuroscience—and I have a specific focus on mental health, I’ve yet to find communities that fit this niche. It feels like such a specialised area, which makes it even harder to connect with like-minded people. I need to find ways to fill this gap and get the intellectual stimulation I crave. Whether it’s joining broader neuroscience or mental health groups, attending webinars, or even starting my own community, I’m determined to make this work. If you’ve been in a similar situation, I’d love to hear how you managed to stay connected and engaged in a self-paced learning environment. Let’s make these neurons fire together.
#Neuroscience #EducationalNeuroscience #MentalHealth #SelfPacedLearning #StudentEngagement #LifelongLearning #BrainHealth
