Self-study...hmmm...
If you're only interested in the esoteric aspects of what Freemasonry points followers toward, ritual acts as a road map to just that; when you understand its archaic hyperlinks.
Hyperlink Example: One lecture references "a point to a line to a superficies to a solid... ". It's a direct allusion to Plutarch's "The 'E' at Delphi" (among others). The reference is an 18th century "hyperlink".
There are thousands of them! When you follow these hyperlinks, the world of scholarship opens up for you.
However, if you're studying ritual and Freemasonic writings thinking the esoteric gems are in themselves the value you seek, you're going to be sadly barren in your results. The hidden gems have no value to you other than to say to others, "look what I found!". That's superficial. The true value is in developing the skill set to find, understand and apply these gems to life.
Keep this solidly in your frame of thought: Freemasonry points to Masonry. When you understand the distinction between the two, you get an entirely different understanding of what is before you and which path will enrich your soul best.