What is the best way to start learning a new course? For learning new courses by one's self is it better


to read the related text
to attend online courses such as from sites like Coursera
to combine the two
or use another method altogether


In general, which is the better strategy for a motivated adult learner who is entering a new area?
There is no best way to learn a new course, some people better learn by attending classes and some other better learn by reading textbooks and reviewing lecture-notes and pamphlets. I know a person from my bachelors degree who did not used to come to classes. He just used to photocopy the lecture notes and read them before the exams. On the other hand, I used to always attend the classes and did not miss even one minute of them.

In order to learning a new subject, these come to my mind; but I think you should examine each and choose the best way which suits your own learning habits.


Attend some physical classes. Take notes and do the assignments. However, if you are not registering for the course, talk to the lecturer before the class.
Register for open course-wares and do online learning.
Search for the best textbooks in that course and try to read them.
Ask a friend who can help you in that course to teach you one or two hours a week. One of my friends asked his friend to teach him an engineering software two to three hours a week and now he can easily work with that software.
Group study with friend(s) who are learning that course, try to solve each other problems. This may also help you better stick to the course. People sometimes get bored when they self-study a topic.


However, depending on the level of the course you may need to choose wisely. If you are aiming to learn a post-graduate course, you may also need to read some papers and discuss your problems with a professor specializing in that branch of science, while some of the under-graduate courses do not always require to talk to a professor. You can ask your questions from a teaching-assistant, a friend with high marks in that course or even discuss with a friend who is also learning that course, or even ask your questions in a related online question and answer website or forum.