How not to forget about self-education

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

16 tips will help you discipline yourself and learn new things without unnecessary suffering.

The concept of lifelong learning has long become commonplace, and lifelong learning itself is a necessity. But many begin to learn new skills and professions and drop out halfway due to lack of motivation and self-discipline.

Course methodologists design coursework so that as many students as possible reach the end of the course. To do this, they apply the principles of andragogy (the science of adult learning) and pedagogical design. This article has collected basic techniques and tips to help you do homework and self-education without suffering or procrastination.

1. Do not learn what you do not need and are not interested in

Adults learn hard and profitably only when they know they will put their knowledge into practice. When embarking on mastering a new language, profession or branch of knowledge, ask yourself the question: "Why?" If you don’t find the answer, it’s better not to waste time and do something else.

2. Set yourself a SMART goal

If you have an answer to the question “why am I going to learn this,” proceed to the next step. Align your answer with the SMART goal system. The abbreviation contains the characteristics that the goal must meet:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant (topical);
• Time-bound (limited in time).

For example, you are going to study a foreign language in order to move to another country. The same SMART goal would look like this:

• Specifically: I want to get a residence permit.
• Relevance: for this I am planning to take a language exam.
• Measurability: a sufficient level of knowledge of the language - A1.
• Time constraints: six months later.
• Achievability: I plan to practice the language daily using Duolingo, do textbook exercises several times a week, watch tutorials, and call a native speaker on Italki once a week.

Redesigning the SMART goal will allow you to turn any vague task into a clear sequence of steps: the goal will become tangible, and the reward that awaits for your work will be achievable. This system is suitable not only for global tasks. Set yourself small learning goals every day using this system, and you will immediately notice how you progress in your studies.

3. Use dedicated apps

These can be educational apps or services to help you make plans and fight procrastination. Make a weekly plan in Trello, recording tasks there, and honestly assess at the end of the week how well you did it. Do not try to bite off too large a piece: if you realize that you have given yourself an exorbitant load, feel free to reduce it to a comfortable level.

Use the Toggl counter: it will help you understand how much time you spend on solving certain tasks, and realistically plan the time for the next week.

If you are one of those who looks at Facebook for a minute, and then hangs there for an hour, download the SelfControl site blocker or its equivalent.

4. Put theory into practice right away

Use all possible means to immediately apply your knowledge: without practice, they will not be assimilated. If we are talking about a foreign language, look for penpals, watch cartoons and films, try to read news in the target language. If you are learning a new skill or computer program, come up with a training project for yourself or offer your still hobby skills to friends or a charity.

5. Consider a reward system

When writing a curriculum in Trello, add all the "goodies" that you will reward yourself with for your academic success. You can create a simple system: for each day of completing tasks, allow yourself a little joy like delicious food, computer games, or going to the cinema or to the pool.

You can also keep track of the time spent on training. After you've typed a round number of days or weeks, give yourself, say, a PlayStation, or whatever dress you've been looking at for a long time.

6. Find a mentor or like-minded person

Get the support of someone who knows more about your subject than you do. As a rule, pros are willing to hire padawans if they are motivated and willing to learn. Do not be afraid to seek help from specialists: at worst, you will be rejected, at best - numerous insights, useful bibliography and connections in the industry you are interested in.

If you don't feel like looking for a mentor, look for people who are in the same situation as you. Then you will have an endless field for the exchange of information and mutual verification of tasks.

7. Start teaching others

We, of course, do not advise you to become a teacher while you yourself are "floating" in the material. However, the best way to understand something is to teach it to others. Start helping those who are learning the same things as you: for example, answer questions from strangers in thematic groups on social networks and forums. Willy-nilly, you will have to master the topics that you are explaining well.

8. Create rituals that relate to learning

In order to complete the previous points, you already need a lot of self-control and motivation. To successfully start your studies day after day, make it a routine. Try to do it at the same time: at lunchtime at work, before breakfast, or when you put your children to bed. Surround the study time with repetitive rituals or attributes: for example, tie the preparation of a cup of coffee or tea to the study, or go out to the store for bread on duty.

9. Make yourself comfortable

Organize a comfortable place to study: comfortable furniture, a free and clean desk will help you to tune in to a serious mood. Try not to study while lying in bed: do everything so that your vision and posture do not suffer while you are studying.

10. Diversify your activities in terms of difficulty

All educational tasks that you set yourself should be as fractional as possible. This is necessary so that you are not shy and do not get lost in front of a complex difficult task. These small pieces will always be uneven in complexity.

During the week, give yourself the freedom to choose what you do. If you have the strength and inspiration - get down to something more difficult, if you are tired - take on something small and simple. For example, watch a related video or listen to a podcast.

11. Don't compare yourself to others

Wasn't it so embarrassing when a teacher at school compared you to an excellent student in a parallel class? Or when you are given the example of a mother's friend's son? Do not torment yourself with comparisons with those who learn information faster or have more talent. Compare yourself to yourself as you were a month or two ago. Do you feel the difference?

12. Eat a balanced diet

It is not necessary to switch to a healthy lifestyle, but changing your diet can help your training. Pay attention to nuts, butter and olive oil, broccoli - they will make you more energetic and improve your memory.

Observe your drinking regime, as we often lose focus and strength from dehydration without realizing it. Listen to yourself: if your mouth is dry or there are other signs of a lack of water, start drinking more.

13. Provide yourself a "sword of Damocles"

This is not the most honest technique, but you can tell someone whose opinion is important to you that you are learning and moving towards a certain goal. Having such a witness, you will simply be ashamed to quit your studies.

14. Ask questions

Do you have to read voluminous texts and memorize a lot of information? Use a technique that will help you memorize. Ask as many questions as possible for the material to be learned.

Start with the 5W + H formula: Who? What? Where? When? Why? + How? (Who? What? Where? When? Why? + How?). Ask more and more complex and specific questions: why, under what conditions, what is it called, what it means, what follows, from what, for what purpose, in what order, etc.

These questions will trigger memorization for you. They can be printed on traditional paper cards by writing the answer on the back, or you can download a flip card app like Quizlet. Flashcards are traditionally used for memorizing foreign words, but can be suitable for any purpose.

15. Switch

If you plan to study for more than an hour, consider how you will switch between tasks in advance. You can use any convenient technique: 45/15 (45 minutes of work, then 15 minutes of rest) or the Pomodoro method (25 minutes to solve the problem, then a short rest for 5 minutes, after every fourth "tomato" or two hours of work - a break for half an hour). Rest time can also be spent on other tasks: for example, you do 45 minutes of exercise, then 15 minutes of listening to a podcast.

16. Don't be afraid to drop out

The main advice. If you realize that you are not doing your own business and do not feel satisfaction, feel free to drop out and find another subject of study. But when you decide to take on something new, be sure to return to the first point of this guide.