I’ve heard the following multiple times from different people, mostly in regards to other engineering and science fields. I can’t speak to how effective it is personally, though.
It roughly boils down to find a good degree program in subject and try to get information on the curriculum, books involved, etc. and follow it on your own.
Assuming this is all for personal reasons, as there’s no way you’re getting into these fields without having paid up.
Yes, it's simply for the sake of curiosity, and I don't intend to getting into these fields. My goal is to bring some structure in my learning, because currently I just pick a book here, a book there, and that doesn't feel very effective.
I guess looking at the curricula of some good degree programs is the way to go.
5 years sounds low, as discussed there. Even starting with a physics degree background and this being my passion, I am giving myself 10 years to reach top standard in the sense of truly mastering every area.
I suspect the 5 years as a general reference timeframe refers to full-time students who study to be computationally competent and pass exams well, but lack deep understanding of the subject area, let alone ability to solve truly difficult or novel problems.
For someone with strong high school background following the standard academic path without any delay, it would take at least 3(bsc)+1-2(msc)+3(phd)+??(postdoc) years to become a truly independent theoretical physicist.
Each state or even district divides it differently. Where I am, 11 year olds would either be in 5th grade (primary/grade school) or 6th grade (middle school). But sometimes 5th is lumped in with middle school. Sometimes they have junior high which is something like 12-14. They usually consider high school (14/15-17/18 year olds) to be secondary school. This goes back to my grandpa's time. Most people in his generation got 8th grade diplomas for finishing primary school. Secondary school was high school, but wasn't mandatory or even that common in many places.
It roughly boils down to find a good degree program in subject and try to get information on the curriculum, books involved, etc. and follow it on your own.
Assuming this is all for personal reasons, as there’s no way you’re getting into these fields without having paid up.