22 May How to Get an Amazing Education (Without Going to School)
Brooklyn Letters
1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn
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We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old -
Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
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I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
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Excellent services, caring therapists.
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Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
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We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
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We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
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The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
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Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
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I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
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Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
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Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
Thanks to both for a job well done... -
Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
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Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
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One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
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I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
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Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
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I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
Kanu Patel -
We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
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Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
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My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
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I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
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Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
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Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
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Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
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As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them. -
We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
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We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
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Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
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Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
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We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
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The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
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Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
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We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.
HOW TO GET AN AMAZING EDUCATION
(Without Going to School)
School is undoubtedly a great way to get an education and progress in life, but you know what? If you want to boost your knowledge, learn more about the world and all of the different disciplines within it, then school is not the only answer, and these days, you can actually learn everything you want or need to know without ever stepping foot inside a college. Yes, with the right strategy, you can assemble an education that rivals—or even surpasses—a formal degree, all from your bedroom, local library, or favourite coffee shop. Sound good? Read on.
Build Your Curriculum with Online Courses
MOOCs (massive open online courses) are the cornerstone of DIY education. Platforms like Coursera, edX, Udacity and Khan Academy deliver lectures from Stanford, MIT and beyond. Pick classes in computer science, psychology, art history or quantum mechanics. Many courses are free to audit, so you can binge-learn without paying a dime. If you need a certificate for your resume, a modest fee unlocks graded assignments and official credentials.
Tips for Success
- Set a schedule, as if you were attending actual classes.
- Join study groups in course forums or Slack channels.
- Do the assignments, not because a professor is watching, but to cement your understanding.
Historact: Your Online Historical Educator
If history feels like a dusty pile of dates, the excellent online tool for learning history, Historact turns it into an interactive joyride. This digital timeline platform lets you trace revolutions, cultural milestones and scientific breakthroughs with a swipe. No more cramming monarchs in a month—just zoom, click and absorb context. Combine Historact with primary sources from the Internet Archive and the Library of Congress online for a deep dive that’s equal parts immersive and binge-worthy.
Podcasts: Brain Food on the Go
Ditch the mindless scroll and swap it for podcasts that feed your curiosity. Whether you’re jogging, commuting or just pretending to work, these audio gems keep your brain engaged. Try:
- “Stuff You Should Know” for entertaining explanations of everything from medieval torture to cryptocurrency.
- “Freakonomics Radio” for economic twists on everyday life.
- “Hidden Brain” to explore psychology and human behaviour.
Podcasts teach you to follow complex narratives, pick up new vocabulary and absorb ideas without staring at a screen.
YouTube University: Video Lectures and Tutorials
YouTube isn’t just for cat videos. Channels like CrashCourse, Veritasium, Numberphile and TED-Ed offer high-quality educational content. From physics demonstrations to language lessons, you can compile a personalised video syllabus. Subscribe, add playlists, and use the “watch later” button like a pro.
Pro Tip
Enable subtitles and watch at 1.25× speed to power through content without missing nuance.
Read Like a Scholar, Not a Tourist
Books are your secret weapons. Start with the classics—“Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari for a sweeping history of humanity, or “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman to unpack decision-making. Venture into biographies of innovators like Elon Musk or Marie Curie to see how breakthroughs happen in the real world.
How to Read Effectively
- Take notes in a dedicated notebook or digital tool like Notion.
- Discuss what you read with friends or in online forums.
- Apply lessons immediately, whether you’re sketching a tree from memory or running a thought experiment on game theory.
Online Communities: Your Virtual Campus
Learning solo can feel isolating. Say hello to online communities—Reddit’s r/learnprogramming, Stack Exchange for Q&A, and specialized Discord servers. Participate in debates, ask for feedback on projects, and collaborate on group challenges. You’ll get unstuck faster, make friends who share your interests and build a support network that rivals any alumni association.
Project-Based Learning: Do Instead of Memorise
The best way to learn coding is to build an app, not memorise syntax. Want to study architecture? Sketch floor plans or build a 3D model in SketchUp. Studying marketing? Launch a blog or social media page and track analytics. Real world projects teach problem solving, self-discipline, and resilience when things break. Plus, your portfolio grows organically while you learn.
Mentors and Apprenticeships
Formal mentors come in all shapes: industry veterans on LinkedIn, local entrepreneurs at Meetup events, or volunteer coordinators at non-profits. Offer help in exchange for guidance—review code, social media management, or event logistics. Apprenticeships and internships, even unpaid ones, give you hands-on experience and someone to correct your rookie mistakes.
Curated Newsletters and Blogs
Subscribe to newsletters that distil insights into bite-sized doses. Benedict Evans on tech trends, Farnam Street on mental models, and Brain Pickings (now The Marginalian) on creative living. Blogs by experts in your field offer deep dives and curated reading lists. A well-chosen newsletter is like having a personal tutor delivering weekly lessons to your inbox.
Language Learning Apps: Polyglots at Your Fingertips
Duolingo, Memrise and Babbel make language acquisition fun and addictive. But real fluency comes from conversation. Use Tandem or HelloTalk to chat with native speakers. Participate in language exchange meetups or watch foreign films with subtitles. Learning another language sharpens your brain, enhances cultural empathy and opens doors to global opportunities.
Virtual Labs and Simulations
Science requires experiments, but you don’t need a lab coat. Platforms like PhET offer virtual physics and chemistry simulations. Biology apps let you dissect cells without gloves. Business simulations, like those on Harvard Business Publishing Education, let you run a virtual startup, make marketing decisions and see consequences in a risk-free environment.
Hackathons and Competitions: Time-Bound Learning Sprints
Nothing focuses the mind like a deadline. Hackathons, data challenges and writing contests push you to deliver within 24 or 48 hours. You’ll learn to prioritise features, collaborate under pressure and present your work clearly. Winning is gravy; the real prize is the adrenaline-fuelled crash course in project management and teamwork.
Maker Spaces and Local Resources
Many cities have maker spaces with 3D printers, laser cutters and shared tools. Sign up for workshops in electronics, woodworking or robotics. Public libraries often offer free access to research databases, online courses and even musical instruments. Your local community college may offer non-credit workshops in photography, coding or entrepreneurship.
Journaling and Reflective Practice
Learning isn’t just consuming information; it’s integrating it. Keep a learning journal in a notebook or digital app. Reflect on what you’ve learned each week, identify gaps, and plan next steps. Writing slows your thoughts, reveals misconceptions and tracks your growth over time.
Speed Reading and Memory Techniques
Want to devour that 500-page textbook in a weekend? Speed reading courses teach techniques like skimming for structure and using peripheral vision. Combine that with mnemonic devices—memory palaces, acronyms and spaced repetition apps like Anki—and you’ll retain facts far longer than last semester’s lecture notes.
TED Talks and Public Lectures
TED.com hosts thousands of talks on science, art, business and more. For deeper dives, check out university lecture series posted on YouTube or attend live webinars. Public radio stations often record talks by visiting scholars. These presentations model clear communication and expose you to cutting-edge ideas in bite-sized formats.
Coding Bootcamps and Nanodegrees
If you’re serious about software development or data science, intensive bootcamps and nanodegrees offer structured learning in weeks or months. They cost more than free resources but provide deadlines, mentors and peer cohorts. Many include career services with interview prep and resume reviews.
Self-Assessment and Credentialing
One challenge of self-education is proving your skills. Enter badging platforms like Credly, and skill assessments on LinkedIn or HackerRank. GitHub repositories, writing portfolios and published articles serve as living proof. When applying for jobs or pitching clients, lead with your projects and contributions rather than degrees.
Lifelong Learning Pathways
Education doesn’t stop once you’ve launched your career. Stay curious by setting annual learning goals: read ten books, complete three courses, build one passion project. Use platforms like Goodreads to track your reading, and Trello or Notion to manage project milestones. Cultivating a learning habit turns self-education into a lifestyle.
Balancing Structure and Flexibility
Too much freedom can become overwhelming. Create a weekly schedule that balances structured learning blocks with free exploration. For example, Monday and Wednesday evenings for online courses, Tuesday mornings for journaling, Saturday afternoons for maker-space workshops. Use a digital calendar with reminders to keep your learning on track.
Dealing with Overwhelm
When the buffet of knowledge feels endless, pick a theme for a month. One month focus on statistics, the next on Renaissance art, then pivot to digital marketing. This thematic approach builds depth without fragmenting your attention. Rotate themes quarterly to keep enthusiasm high.
Social Accountability
Tell friends and family about your learning plan. Start a study group or a book club. Post progress updates on social media or a personal blog. External accountability increases your commitment and invites feedback. Plus, celebrating milestones in public feels pretty good.
Monetise Your Skills
Your education, your way!
As you master topics, consider tutoring, consulting or freelancing. Teaching others cements your knowledge and adds income. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr and Patreon let you offer courses, write technical articles or design custom learning materials. Turning your education into a side hustle motivates you to level up continuously.
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Craig Selinger
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