Five Great Ways to Improve Learning - At Any Age!
In the past, we might have had the idea that learning is
something that occurs during the earlier stages of life, and
finishes when our formal schooling ends. Now we know that this
is far from true - learning really is a lifelong process. Here
are some tips to help you improve learning, whether formal (at
school) or informal.
1. To improve learning, keep in mind that the one benefiting
from your learning is you. Tell yourself every day that this is
true; keep this idea foremost in your mind. Why? We all learn
and work better when we are motivated, and our own well-being is
one of the most powerful motivators. If you tell yourself that
learning is work that you undertake on your own behalf, chances
are you will have a positive attitude toward the work.
2. Repeat what you have learned. To improve learning, keep in
mind that hearing or reading something only once is very seldom
enough. If you learn something in class, repeat it to yourself
later in the day, or write it down. This helps you to form
pathways in the mind that will allow you to access this
information whenever you need it.
3. Ask questions. This is a way to improve learning by making
the material you have learned your very own. People learn in
differnt ways, so in a school or work setting, those in charge
have to decide on a method that will work for most people. If it
doesn't work for you, it doesn't mean that you lack the capacity
to understand what is being taught. It just means you have to
approach it in a slightly different way.
4. Talk about what you have learned. When you learn something in
school or on the job, be sure to talk about it with your
friendd, familiy and colleagues. This is a very potent way to
improve learning, because we all remember things better when
there is repetition. Also, the very act of explaining something
to others can improve your own understanding of it a great deal.
5. Take care of yourself. Finally, one of the most important
ways that you can improve learning is by taking care of your
physical wellbeing - get enough rest and exercise, in other
words, and take care of your health. If you do so, you will have
the mental clarity necessary to learn almost anything that is
required.