The modern teacher is called upon, first of all, to promote the formation of students' motivation for self-change, self-improvement, and self-development. This is possible if the teacher himself or herself is willing to carry out the process of self-education. The training of students - future teachers of the Ukrainian language and literature - in a higher education institution provides opportunities for the realization of this task. The content of the discipline «Methods of Social and Educational Work in Modern Conditions», in particular the topic «The Role of Self-Education in the Social Formation of the Personality», also contributes to the development of positive personality traits and overcoming negative ones. The article examines the historical aspect of the development of the concept of «self-education», its essence, the main stages of the self-education process (in terms of pedagogical interaction in the educational process of a general secondary education institution or a higher education institution; the individual's independent work to implement self-education tasks); important techniques / methods of self-education. It is stated that the effectiveness of self-education of a person depends on physiological, psychological, social, and pedagogical aspects. The results of the implementation by students of specialty 014 «Secondary Education (Ukrainian Language and Literature)» of the project of self-education of the personality, which included the choice of quality (characteristics, problematic side) of the personality, on the improvement (development or overcoming) of which it is necessary to work; determination of methods / techniques of self-education; drawing up a program of self-education; implementation of the planned, application of selected methods / techniques of self-education; analysis of the work done on oneself. The majority of students identified the need to work on developing discipline, self-confidence, perseverance; overcoming anxiety, laziness. In the quotes from students about the task, we note the desire of everyone to continue working on themselves.