Each morning you’ll receive an email from U.A. director Blake Boles that explains a new part of the Launchpad process: how to choose manageable goals, stay on track, manage distractions, avoid procrastination, and much more. You’ll also receive links to recommended articles, videos, and chapters from Blake’s book The Art of Self-Directed Learning (included with the workshop) to go deeper into the material.

Launchpad is about doing, not just thinking. Each email includes a new practical challenge where you’ll put the day’s lesson to use. Most challenges involve writing, and some also involve drawing or taking a photograph. (Don’t worry, no artistic skills required!) Each challenge requires 30-60 minutes. If you fall behind, don’t worry—you can always review the previous emails and catch up. But to get the most out of the workshop, we suggest that you complete each by the day’s end!

The best part about Launchpad is: You’re not alone! You can join our international community of self-directed young people by sharing the results of your daily challenges on Instagram using the hashtag #UAlaunchpad. (Click here to browse all previous posts.) Sharing on Instagram isn’t just fun—it serves as an important way to keep yourself accountable, find inspiration from other workshop members, and to inspire others yourself.

In the first two weeks, you’ll focus on one small goal to complete by the end of the workshop. Then, in the final few days, you’ll choose a bigger, more ambitious goal that you want to complete in the next few months and take your first step toward completing it. You’ll leave Launchpad with clear intentions, a burst of motivated energy, and a new toolkit for following your dreams—ready to get stuff done as a self-directed learner.