Originally Posted by Alergie

i will switch to english according to the forum rules..

way back in the day i started with pen pals then moved to use Skype for language exchange cause it was very handy .. Later and Until Now i use Line
but if you don't know anyone and you would like to have language tandem partner i Recommend you to take a Look at Hellotalk app

when i decide to take JLPT i took private JLPT Preparation courses I chose a Native Japanese Language Teacher (witch i will always recommend )

i used Marugoto as a coursebook + JLPT tests

So you're taking the more traditional approach, may I ask approximately how many hours you've put into it, and which JLPT level would you consider yourself to be at now?

As far as I'm concerned, I've been 100% self-studying, because that's what suits my personality best; my approach involves heavily relying on different software programs that facilitate looking up, collecting and memorizing vocabulary (it's all described in the guide I posted in the OP). I'm especially fond of Anki, which you might already know, and I consider it the #1 reason I've been able to progress this far; the way it keeps track of all the focused studying I've been doing, and how much I actually know, is extremely motivating. I've been studying basically every single day for years thanks to it.
Obviously my learning's still very much a work-in-progress, so far I've spent roughly 800-900 hours on it, and I'd estimate myself to still be between N3 and N2 JLPT levels at most (though I don't plan to take the exam).