Self-learning might be tough sometimes. If you've ever tried to learn a language or skill on your own, you know how hard it can be to organize yourself sometimes. Self-education is an attractive idea but, alas, it does not work for everyone. How can you become one of these lucky ones and turn into a genius of self-education?
In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the art of self-education and share secrets of how to start learning and not give up halfway.
Self-education is a broad concept. In short, it is any activity aimed at developing some skills and knowledge. Visiting museums, exhibitions, going to the cinema - everything helps us to develop, and therefore refers to self-education. So don't think of it as something boring and dull. Not only can the result bring pleasure, but also the process of self-education. The only question is what methods and techniques to use.
The now-legendary article The Making of an Expert, published in 2007 in the Harvard Business Review, provides an overview of the three main scientifically established factors that will help you become an outstanding expert in a particular field.
First, is the time spent deliberately practicing a new skill or ability. It's about the 10,000 hours (or 10 years) rule: that's how much you need to consciously practice to become a world-class specialist in something. The keyword here is "mindfulness" - any amount of mindless mechanical repetition will not improve your skills in any way. The conscious practice involves setting goals for each lesson, and fixing and analyzing the results of each.
Secondly, effective learning requires constant access to the best teachers and mentors. At different levels of learning, you will need different mentors. First the best local teachers, then the national level, and then the world-class experts. The best teachers speed up learning, structure the process of mastering new knowledge, and motivate and control the performance of independent work. Your main and ultimate goal is to become the best teacher and mentor for yourself. It is this property that all outstanding experts possess.
Thirdly, the support of the family and the environment contributes to the best learning. Outstanding people come together, maintain close ties, and learn from each other. Working and hanging out with the best helps you become the best.
An interesting fact: the biographies of many people who are traditionally considered outstanding child prodigies perfectly fit the conditions outlined above. The most famous example is Mozart, to whom rumor ascribes a fantastic innate talent. However, one should not forget that Mozart's music education began at the age of 4, his father was a famous music teacher and author of one of the first violin textbooks, which inspired the young Wolfgang to constant rehearsals.
Set a goal.
As they say, I see the goal - I see no obstacles. Turn self-education from an abstract concept into a concrete task. Let's say you've got the idea to learn Korean. Set yourself a goal - to reach the Elementary level in six months. Even cooler is to schedule an exam or any other test of the acquired skill. That way, the result is visible.
Don't lose motivation.
In self-study, the main thing is not to quit. There are situations when you are well motivated from the outside. For example, a salary increase for developing a touch typing skill or the need to obtain a C1 for admission abroad. In this case, motivation is always with you. However, she often packs up and leaves without saying goodbye. Constantly remind yourself why you took this course or language study. And be sure to reward yourself for your success. Passed the thematic block - ate a cake. And never compare yourself to others. It kills motivation. There will always be people who do something faster and better than you. The only person to compare yourself to is you from the past.
Make a schedule.
Try to structure your classes. If you study on an online platform, then the schedule is already made for you. But you still need to decide how to manage your time: when to listen to lectures and complete assignments. For those who study on their own, proper time management and the ability to distribute tasks is a must-have.
Allow yourself to be lazy.
Don't be too hard on yourself. Tired of working? Take a break. If you miss a class, don't worry, make up later. You can start the course as many times as you like, no one will scold you for it.
Create the right environment.
It doesn't have to be in an apartment. You can do it in a cafe, park or on the street. The main thing is convenience. There are people for whom background noise only helps them concentrate. Also, be sure to decorate the space around you in a way that you like. Add greenery, flowers, hang nice-looking images, or motivating phrases. Try listening to background music for study or creativity.
Use different sources.
Don't limit yourself to one resource. There is such a variety of information on the Internet. The main goal is to find it useful and relevant. Have you taken a graphic design course? Why not supplement it with reading books on the topic or watching educational videos on YouTube. And they don't have to be theoretical. You can watch interviews or success stories of famous designers to add motivation.
Choose the right methods.
Each person has their own approach to learning. Someone is more diligent and can work for several hours, others need to rest every twenty minutes. One is easier to practice, the other theory. Customize your workflow based on your own preferences. Let's say your friend learned English by ear while watching TV shows, but you can't do it. This is fine. So you need a different method of learning a language. Ideally, you should combine different techniques and use them in a complex way, but in any case, the one that is most understandable and most pleasant to you should prevail.
Look for feedback.
With self-study, there is no one to check you. There is a risk of making a mistake and thinking that you are doing poorly or, on the contrary, excellent when you are not. With online courses, it is somewhat easier because there are regular checks and comments from the teacher. If you are studying alone, look for an inspector. Critical assessment from the outside is not always pleasant, but it is useful.
Ask questions.
Don't be afraid to be curious. Feel free to ask questions or go searching the internet. It would seem a trifle, but it is precisely such trifles that enrich our horizons. And this is also one of the forms of self-education.
Don't be afraid of mistakes.
They happen and it's natural. Treat mistakes as something positive. After all, they show what you should pay attention to in order to become better.
Books, various free online courses, and other affordable sources of quality knowledge are now available in abundance to everyone. A much more important question is how to motivate yourself to study on your own and finally finish those two dozen books and online courses that you have been wanting to take for a long time. Try to follow three simple but proven tips.
You need to study little by little, but regularly. If you're wondering when is the best time to take an online course - on weekends for a few hours at a time or every day for half an hour - then the latter option is optimal. Breaking up the learning process into small sessions creates a sense of quick success and motivates you to return to learning the next day.
It is best to study independently at the same time in the same conditions. Habit is second nature, and regularity is the key to success in learning. Once you develop the habit of studying at fixed times, it will be much easier for you to stick to regular classes.
Reading books on your own and taking online courses deprive you of an important incentive in the form of social pressure: if you abandon your studies, unlike traditional education, no one will know about it: neither the teacher nor other students. Create the social pressure you need to study on your own: publicly tell your friends about your plans, join a joint preparation group or organize one yourself, and discuss and comment on your learning process on social networks.
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