The lifelong learning concept has long been commonplace, and continuous learning itself is a necessity. But many are starting to learn new skills and professions and quit halfway due to lack of motivation and self-discipline.
Methodologists working on training courses structure them so that as many students as possible reach the end of their studies. To do this, they apply the principles of andragogy (the science of adult learning) and pedagogical design. This article contains basic techniques and tips that will help you do methodological work at home and educate yourself without suffering or procrastination.
1. Don’t learn what you don’t need or are interested in
Adults learn diligently and profitably only when they know that they will put their knowledge into practice. When starting to learn a new language, profession, or field of knowledge, ask yourself the question: “Why?” If you don’t find the answer, it’s best not to waste your time and do something else.
2. Set a SMART goal for yourself
If you have an answer to the question “why am I going to study this”, move on to the next step. Align your answer with the SMART task setting system. The abbreviation contains the characteristics that the goal must meet:
Specific;
Measurable;
Attainable (attainable)
Relevant (relevant);
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:
Specificity: I want a residence permit.
Relevance: I plan to take a language exam for this purpose.
Measurability: a sufficient level of language proficiency — A1.
Limited time: in six months.
Achievability: I plan to study the language every day, do textbook exercises several times a week, and watch training videos.
Redesigning a SMART goal will make it possible to turn any vague task into an understandable sequence of steps: the goal will become tangible, and the reward that awaits you for your work will become achievable. This system is not only suitable for global tasks. Set small study goals every day using this system and you will immediately notice how you are progressing in your studies.
3. Use special apps
These can be either educational apps or services that help you make plans and fight procrastination.
4. Put theory into practice right away
Use all possible methods to apply your knowledge right away: you won’t learn it without practice. When it comes to a foreign language, look for penpals, watch cartoons and movies, and try to read the news in the language you are studying. If you’re learning a new skill or computer program, come up with a training project for yourself or offer your still amateur skills to friends or a charitable organization.
5. Consider a reward system
You can create a simple system: for every day you complete tasks, allow yourself a little joy like eating delicious food, playing computer games or going to the movies or going to the pool.
You can also calculate the time spent on training. After a round of days or weeks, give yourself, say, a PlayStation, or that dress you’ve been looking at for a long time.
6. Find a mentor or like-minded person
Enlist the support of someone who knows more about the subject than you do. As a rule, pros are willing to hire Padawans if they are motivated and willing to learn. Don’t be afraid to seek help from specialists: at worst, you’ll get rejected, at best, numerous insights, useful bibliography, and contacts 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 exchanging information and mutual verification of tasks.
7. Start teaching others
Of course, we do not recommend that you become a teacher while you are “swimming” in the material yourself. However, the best way to understand something is to teach it to others. Start helping people who are learning the same things as you, for example, by answering questions from strangers in social media groups and forums. Willy-nilly, you’ll have to understand the topics you’re explaining very well.
8. Create rituals that are connected to your studies
In order to complete the previous points, you will already need a lot of self-control and motivation. To successfully start studying day in and day out, make it a routine. Try to do it at the same time: at lunch at work, before breakfast, or when you put the children to bed. Surround school time with repetitive rituals or attributes, such as making a cup of coffee or tea or going to the grocery store on duty.
9. Sit back
Organize a comfortable place to study: comfortable furniture and a free and clean desk will help you get serious. Try not to study while lying in bed: do everything so that your eyesight and posture do not suffer while you are studying.
10. Diversify classes by difficulty
All the learning goals you set for yourself should be as fractional as possible. This is necessary so that you are not shy and do not get lost before a complex complex task. These small parts will always be heterogeneous in complexity.
During the week, give yourself the right to choose what you want to do. If you have the strength and inspiration, get to work harder; if you are tired, do something small and simple. For example, watch a related video or listen to a podcast.
11. Don’t compare yourself to others
Didn’t it feel so awkward when a teacher at school compared you to an excellent student from a parallel class? Or when you get the example of your mom’s friend’s son? Don’t torment yourself with comparisons with those who absorb information faster or have great talent. Compare yourself to what you were like a month or two ago. Can 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 you learn. Pay attention to nuts, butter and olive oil, broccoli — they will make you more energetic and improve your memory.
Follow the drinking regime, as we often lose attention and strength from dehydration without realizing it. Listen to yourself: if your mouth is dry or there are other signs of lack of water, start drinking more.
13. Get yourself a “sword of Damocles”
This is not the most honest method, but you can tell someone whose opinion matters to you that you are studying and are moving towards a specific goal. With such a witness, you’d 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 you can about the material you want to learn.
Start with the 5W+H: Who? What? Where? When? Why? + How? (Who? What? Where is it? When? Why is that? + How?). Ask increasingly complex and specific questions: why, under what conditions, what is the name, what does it mean, what follows, from what, for what purpose, in what order, etc.
These questions will be triggers for you to remember. You can put them on traditional paper cards by writing the answer on the back, or download a flip card app.
15. Switch
If you plan to study for more than an hour, consider in advance how you will switch between tasks. 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 a problem, then a short rest for 5 minutes, after every fourth “tomato” or two hours of work — a break for half an hour). You can also spend your rest time on other tasks: for example, you exercise for 45 minutes, then listen to a podcast for 15 minutes.
16. Don’t be afraid to drop out
The main tip. If you realize that you are not doing your job and are not satisfied, 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 this guide’s first point.
Source: https://lifehacker.ru/ne-zabit-na-samoobrazovanie/
For questions regarding ownership, please contact the author of the original text.