I am like this too. For me, I find that using a curriculum as a means to an end does three things:<p>1. Applying your knowledge forces you to confront the gaps or uncertainties in your understanding that you would normally overlook.<p>2. Allows you to interleave different the topic with related subjects, which gives you a broader or more fundamental understanding of the topic.<p>3. Attaches an immediate utility value to your study regime, which serves as a better motivator and means to identify when to study hard and go deep, and when to gloss over.