Self-Paced Study Plan 2026

Overview

This study plan integrates five major learning streams with specific milestones, resources, and timelines. The plan is designed to be flexible and self-paced, with quarterly reviews to assess progress and adjust as needed.

Study Streams:

1. AWS & Cloud Architecture
2. Generative AI & LLMs
3. Backend Development (Python & Go)
4. Philosophy & Humanities
5. Spanish Language

Study Stream 1: AWS & Cloud Architecture

Goal

Achieve AWS Solutions Architect Professional certification and develop expertise in cloud solutions design.

Timeline & Milestones

Q1 2026 (Jan - Mar)

• Begin AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam prep
• Review core AWS services (EC2, S3, VPC, RDS, Lambda)
• Complete 2-3 practice exams
• Milestone: Complete foundational review by end of March

Q2 2026 (Apr - Jun)

• Deep dive into advanced topics: security, compliance, cost optimization
• Review reference architectures
• Complete 3-4 full practice exams
• Milestone: AWS Solutions Architect Professional Certification (target: June)

Resources

• Course: A Cloud Guru or Linux Academy AWS Solutions Architect Professional course
• Books: AWS Well-Architected Framework whitepaper
• Practice: Tutorials Dojo or Whizlabs practice exams
• Study Cadence: 5-7 hours/week

Integration Points

• Use Go projects (Stream 3) for hands-on Lambda development
• Apply system design knowledge (Stream 3) to architecture problems

Study Stream 2: Generative AI & LLMs

Goals

• AWS AI Practitioner certification
• AWS Generative AI Developer certification
• Build understanding of LLMs from foundational principles
• Complete a project implementing generative AI solutions

Timeline & Milestones

Q1 2026 (Jan - Mar)

• Begin “Build a LLM from Scratch” book (parallel with AWS core study)
• AWS AI Practitioner exam prep
• Set up Python environment for ML/AI work
• Milestone: AWS AI Practitioner Certification (target: March)

Q2 2026 (Apr - Jun)

• Continue “Build a LLM from Scratch” book completion
• AWS Generative AI Developer exam prep
• Start implementing a small GenAI project (e.g., RAG application, fine-tuned model)
• Milestone: AWS Generative AI Developer Certification (target: June)

Q3 2026 (Jul - Sep)

• Complete “Build a LLM from Scratch” book
• Refine and document GenAI project
• Explore advanced topics: prompt engineering, evaluation metrics, model optimization
• Milestone: Complete LLM project with documentation

Resources

• Book: “Build a LLM from Scratch” (Appendix or main text)
• Courses: AWS GenAI Developer course, DeepLearning.AI courses on LLMs
• Practice: Kaggle competitions, personal GenAI projects
• Study Cadence: 6-8 hours/week

Integration Points

• Use Python skills from Stream 3
• Apply backend architecture patterns to GenAI applications
• Document learning in philosophical context (how AI shapes thought)

Study Stream 3: Backend Development

Goals

• Master intermediate-to-advanced Python concepts
• Learn Go and build production-quality projects
• Understand software architecture and system design principles
• Develop practical backend expertise

Sub-Stream 3A: Python Mastery (Optimization for Expert Level)

Timeline & Milestones

Q1-Q4 2026 (Jan - Dec, strategic reading)

• Read “Fluent Python” selectively (focus on advanced sections: metaclasses, decorators, async, type hints)
• Skip foundational chapters given your expertise
• Implement 1-2 advanced patterns per month
• Apply learnings to GenAI projects and production code
• Milestone: Master 3-4 advanced Python concepts (ongoing)

Resources

• Book: “Fluent Python” by Luciano Ramalho (selective, advanced chapters only)
• Study Cadence: 1-2 hours/week
• Project Integration: Apply to GenAI and production backend work

Recommendation: As a Python expert, you don’t need linear progression through Fluent Python. Target specific advanced topics relevant to your current projects rather than completing the whole book.

Sub-Stream 3B: Go Language

Timeline & Milestones

Q2-Q3 2026 (Apr - Sep)

• Learn Go fundamentals (concurrency, goroutines, channels)
• Build 2-3 backend projects in Go
  • Project 1: REST API with database
  • Project 2: Microservice with message queue
  • Project 3: CLI tool or Lambda function alternative
• Milestone: Complete 3 Go projects (target: September)

Q4 2026 (Oct - Dec)

• Refine Go projects, add testing and documentation
• Contribute to open-source Go project or polish personal projects

Resources

• Course: “The Go Programming Language” course (Udemy or similar)
• Book: “The Go Programming Language” by Donovan & Kernighan
• Practice: Exercism, LeetCode (Go track)
• Study Cadence: 5-6 hours/week

Sub-Stream 3C: Software Architecture & System Design

Timeline & Milestones

Q3-Q4 2026 (Jul - Dec)

• Read software architecture books (rotating monthly)
  • Month 1: “Building Microservices” by Sam Newman
  • Month 2: “System Design Interview” preparation
  • Month 3: “The Pragmatic Programmer”
• Study system design patterns and principles
• Document architectural decisions in Go projects
• Milestone: Apply 3 architecture patterns to projects

Resources

• Books: “Building Microservices,” system design resources
• Practice: System design interview prep (Educative, ByteByteGo)
• Study Cadence: 4-5 hours/week

Integration Points

• AWS Lambda and serverless patterns (Stream 1)
• GenAI backend infrastructure (Stream 2)
• Use Go for deploying AI models

Study Stream 4: Philosophy & Humanities

Goal

Develop deep engagement with contemporary philosophy, critical theory, and humanistic thought, particularly focusing on technology, society, and authenticity.

Timeline & Milestones

Full Year 2026: Philosophical Book Club

Structured monthly reading (Jan-Dec) combining philosophy, critical theory, and speculative fiction. Each month includes:

• Two readings (one book/long-form text, one essay/theory)
• Weekly discussion/reflection
• Personal notes and synthesis

Monthly Schedule:

Study Cadence: 6-8 hours/week (reading, reflection, note-taking)

Sub-Project 4A: A Grande Conversa

Timeline: January - December 2026 (ongoing)

• Course: Alex Castro’s course via Facebook
• Commitment: Complete all required readings and course modules
• Integration: Align readings with monthly book club selections where possible
• Study Cadence: 2-3 hours/week

Milestone: Course completion by December 2026

Resources

• Books: As listed above
• Course: Facebook (A Grande Conversa)
• Method: Reading journals, weekly reflection notes, thematic connections document

Integration Points

• Connect technology studies to philosophical frameworks
• Document how GenAI and backend systems relate to philosophical questions about technology, authenticity, and thought
• Use philosophical insights to inform learning in other streams

Study Stream 5: Spanish Language

Goal

Develop conversational and reading proficiency in Spanish throughout 2026.

Timeline & Milestones

Q1 2026 (Jan - Mar)

• Establish daily study habit (20-30 minutes)
• Focus on conversational basics
• Milestone: Complete foundational coursework

Q2 2026 (Apr - Jun)

• Increase speaking practice
• Begin reading Spanish texts (news, philosophy articles in Spanish)
• Milestone: Have basic conversations, understand news articles

Q3 2026 (Jul - Sep)

• Advanced conversation practice
• Read philosophical texts or fiction in Spanish
• Consider speaking exchanges
• Milestone: Conversational competency

Q4 2026 (Oct - Dec)

• Maintain and deepen skills
• Read “Ficciones” - Jorge Luis Borges in Spanish version
• Milestone: Sustained conversational ability

Resources

• App: Lingq
• Conversation: Italk
• Media: Spanish-language podcasts, news (BBC Mundo, CNN en Español)
• Study Cadence: 4-5 hours/week

Integration & Weekly Structure

Recommended Weekly Schedule (30-35 hours/week total)

Quarterly Milestones & Reviews

Q1 2026 Review (Late March)

• AWS foundational review complete
• AWS AI Practitioner certified
• Spanish basics established
• Action: Adjust Q2 technical load based on pace

Q2 2026 Review (Late June)

• AWS Solutions Architect Professional certified
• AWS Generative AI Developer certified
• Fluent Python completed
• Go learning commenced with first project
• GenAI project initiated
• Action: Plan Q3 backend focus and project timeline

Q3 2026 Review (Late September)

• GenAI project advancing
• 2+ Go projects completed
• Architecture book series started
• Spanish conversational basics
• Action: Plan Q4 refinement phase

Q4 2026 Review (Late December)

• 3 Go projects completed
• GenAI project documented
• Book club year concluded
• Spanish sustained competency
• Action: Plan 2027 continuation and new goals

Success Criteria

Technical Certifications

• ✓ AWS Solutions Architect Professional (Q2)
• ✓ AWS AI Practitioner (Q1)
• ✓ AWS Generative AI Developer (Q2)

Books Completed

• ✓ Fluent Python (Q2)
• ✓ Build a LLM from Scratch (Q3)
• ✓ 12 months of Philosophy Book Club (ongoing)

Projects Delivered

• ✓ 3 Go backend projects (Q2-Q3)
• ✓ 1 GenAI application (Q2-Q3)
• ✓ Philosophy synthesis work (ongoing)

Language Goals

• ✓ Spanish conversational foundation (by Q2)
• ✓ Spanish reading competency (by Q4)

Referenced in

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