In real life, generally you become a good scientist by working for or with good scientists and modeling their habits. Likewise, probably, with computer programmers, mathematicians, musicians, engineers, artists, etc. I suppose it’s possible to be a total iconoclast and train yourself up to master level in your chosen discipline outside the establishment, but I would wager there are a lot more crackpots who think they’ve invented cold fusion than there are lone geniuses who … well, no counterexamples come to mind. Take any great genius of music, mathematics or science and you’re more than likely to find a great mentor.
Well, there was Roger Apéry...
And the Wright Brothers, if you count them.