Learn How To Learn

For most human beings learning complex new skills or mastering detailed information is not something that comes naturally. One of the main reasons for this is that we often work with very limited conceptions of what ‘learning something’ is supposed to be all about. We are furthermore, not helped by the fact there are several competing, and sometimes contradictory, theories on effective learning out there.

You certainly do not need to be a master of all the latest learning theories to be an effective learner. You do, however, need to develop certain basic competencies before you even attend a class or open a textbook. Developing your skills in the following areas will turn you into a much more rounded learner and will also prevent you from falling into the trap of limiting your understanding of what it means to learn something. The following is just a very basic outline of the learning skills that you should work on:

Concentration: Develop strategies to help you focus your attention on the subject at hand. You will not learn a new skill or acquire new knowledge if your mind keeps ‘wandering’. Concentration strategies can be as simple as choosing a quiet, uncluttered place to study. There are also some more advanced exercises that you can do to improve your concentration.

Perception: As human being we learn by using all of our senses, as well as by incorporating our past experiences to evaluate new information and situations. As a learner you need to develop study strategies that ties in with your primary sensory learning style (i.e. some learn better by hearing, others by seeing) as well as with the critical facilities developed due to past experience.

Memory: In the past memorising facts was often seen as the sole object of learning. We have thankfully moved on from this conception. This does not mean, however, that memory is unimportant to the learning process. Far from it! To be an effective learner you will still have to memorise key facts. Developing your memory should therefore be seen as an absolute priority for any learner.

Logical Thinking: An important part of learning is taking what you have learned thus far (concepts, facts and conclusions) and integrating it into a coherent whole. You can then use this to suggest solutions to problems, or to show how different facts or ideas link together. Every learner who wants to move beyond rote learning should strive to develop suck critical thinking skills.

This article merely touched the surface of what is needed to ‘learn to learn’. There are wonderful resources available in each of the areas mentioned above. Please make sure that you make use of them!