Learning is a lifelong process, and one of the essential skills that we can develop is the ability to learn effectively.
It is not just about the amount of time we spend on a subject, but it is also about the quality of that time.
We need to be honest with ourselves about the progress we are making, whether we are truly absorbing the knowledge or just going through the motions.
It took me a while to learn how to learn, but I eventually figured out a few tips that have helped me tremendously. Here are my top three:
Plan by topic, not by time
Rather than planning how much time you will spend on studying, plan what topics you will cover instead. This approach is more effective because it focuses on finishing a topic or concept, rather than just studying for a certain number of hours. Of course, this is easier said than done when you have a full-time job or other commitments, but it is still a helpful mindset to adopt. By doing this, you will be more motivated to learn the new topic because once you have completed it, you are done for the day. This is much more satisfying than just putting in hours and hours of work without a clear goal in mind.
Test your knowledge right away
After you have read a section or learned a new concept, try to repeat it out loud and describe it in your own words. If you are learning something like coding, make a small exercise with the material you just learned. By doing this, you are practicing what you have learned and gaining practical experience. This approach helps you to retain the information much better than just reading through it without any practice or repetition.
Avoid distractions
It is essential to avoid distractions when studying. That means no checking your phone, social media, or anything else that is not related to the topic you are learning. Even a quick check on your social media feed can disrupt your concentration and waste valuable energy. Instead, try to study intently for an hour, and then take a 5-10 minute break. This approach helps you to build better concentration and a habit of studying without any distractions.
In conclusion, effective learning is not just about how much time we spend on a subject, but it is also about how we spend that time.
Learning is a continuous process, and we can always improve our skills with the right approach and mindset.
By planning by topic, testing our knowledge right away, and avoiding distractions, we can learn more effectively and efficiently.
