Successful learning
Learning how to learn for success
Your last learning phase has been a while? Family, household and job already occupy most of your time and now you have to acquire a lot of knowledge in a short time. But before learning, we recommend to first "learn how to learn". If you learn to manage your time effectively and keep your motivation up, learning will not be that difficult.
That's why we present you the 5 most important tips for successful learning:
1. The optimal learning environment
Do you have all the materials you need to learn? Get access to the learning materials, books and slides. It's up to you to decide whether you're better off working digitally on the computer or with the printed documents in the backyard.
Make sure you have a quiet workspace with as much daylight and fresh air as possible. Our brain needs oxygen to reach full performance. Drink enough and treat yourself to a study snack, such as a banana or a piece of chocolate.
2. Visualizing your motivation
Nobody is motivated 100% of the time. Everyday duties and other things take us over and make us quickly forget our good intentions. Therefore, it is helpful to have a visual reminder that not only yells at us "You have to learn." but also reminds us "That's why you want to learn!".
Write down why you are learning right now. What is your goal? What or who are you doing it for?
Place your reason in plain sight. Supplement your visualization with pictures or objects. While text can be very abstract, a symbol image stays burned in our minds for longer.
3. Goals, priorities, schedule
There are 24 hours in a day and most of them are already scheduled. It can be difficult to fit in additional learning units. Basic self management and project management help you to use the day wisely without getting into a hectic rush.
A To Do list of necessary learning objectives is a first step.
To prioritize, you can use methods such as the Eisenhower Matrix.
Consider how important and urgent your tasks are. If they are both, complete the task immediately. If your task is time urgent but not important, delegate to someone else. If your task is important but not urgent in terms of time, make room for it in your calendar and take care of it at another time. Is your task neither important nor urgent? Off to the trash and on to the next task!
The Pomodoro Technique is an example of how to divide your learning into small bites. Set a kitchen clock or cell phone clock to 25 minutes at a time and work with concentration. When the clock rings, you may pause and be amazed at how much you can accomplish in 25 well-used minutes.
4. Give yourself a break
Breaks are important for the brain. You decide when a break is necessary. After 90 minutes of studying at a stretch, a short 10- to 15-minute break is advisable. After three to four hours, the break can be longer.
The best breaks are breaks with movement. The brain is supplied with blood and receives fresh oxygen for the next learning phase. The back is also grateful for a short walk, a round of yoga or extensive stretching.
5. It is always better when we are together
You are not alone! Exchange ideas with other learners and motivate each other. Get together in learning groups and help each other when something is not understood. Shared knowledge is often greater than individual knowledge.
Positive side effect: Learning together is often more fun and you build a network that you can still fall back on in your job.
