Curate Your Autumn Curriculum

Here’s how to beat doom scrolling and curate the perfect personal curriculum to enrich your mind and soul this autumn …

Although we still have some time to go until the new year, many consider September to be the ideal time to reset and step into new habits. As the leaves fall and back-to-school season begins, pumpkin picking and autumnal apple pie recipes aren’t the only thing sweeping our social media feeds.

A recent TikTok trend, started by creator Elizabeth Jean (@xparmesanprincessx), has adults getting into the back-to-school spirit by self-assigning homework and creating their own ‘’personal curriculums.’’ For many, this is a way to combat what social media users call ‘’brainrotting’’ - spending so much time online it feels like your brain is disintegrating.

The results of this trend are already having tangible impacts. In an interview with TODAY.com, TikTok user Mia Visuano revealed that since adopting a personal curriculum: “My days just feel longer and fuller, but in a good way [...] I naturally have things to talk about. I feel like I was too focused on my phone and on doom scrolling.” Another user, Gianna Jackson, echoed this: “This is our one life. I’m not going to spend it on TikTok. I'm going to learn about stuff that lights me up inside.”

Want to create your own personal syllabus and need inspiration? Here are four themed collections to spark your curiosity and help you curate your autumn curriculum!

1) From Honey to Plantain: Stories of Food, Culture & Sustainable Futures

Recommended Reading:

• A Quick Ting On Plantain by Rui Da Silva

• The Elephant and the Bee by Jess de Boer

• Sister Nature by Jess de Boer 

Perfect for food lovers curious about the stories, traditions and sustainability behind what we eat.

2) Beats, Rhymes & Resistance: Music, Culture & Identity in Black Diaspora

Recommended Reading

• Stick To My Roots by Tippa Irie

• A Quick Ting On Grime by Franklyn Addo

• A Quick Ting On Afrobeats by Christian Adofo

Perfect for those seeking the ultimate autumn soundtrack and a deeper dive into the culture, politics and power of Black music.

3) Her Stories: Iconic Black Women Who Shaped History

Recommended Reading:

• Queen Charlotte Sophia: A Royal Affair by Tina Andrews 

• Breaking the Mafaa Chain by Anni Domingo

• Evelyn Dove by Stephen Bourne 

Perfect for those craving a mix of literature and memoir and a poignant look into the inspiring stories of iconic Black women throughout history.

4) Beyond Indenture: Exploring Indo-Trinidadian Identity Through Literature

Recommended Reading:

• Pleasantview by Celeste Mohammed

• Ever Since We Small by Celeste Mohammed

Perfect for those wanting to discover the rich histories, identities and stories shaped by Indian indentureship and migration through the work of a leading voice in Indo-Caribbean literature.

Choose one (or more) of our curated curriculum collections and pick up your copies now - available here and anywhere books are sold. Don’t forget to follow us on socials for more inspiring reads and handpicked collections!

References:

https://www.today.com/life/inspiration/monthly-curriculum-tiktok-trend-rcna226153

https://corp.oup.com/news/brain-rot-named-oxford-word-of-the-year-2024/