#115, Learner
If you aspire to one thing let it be learning to learn. When you love to learn, nothing is unattainable for you.
Each of us learns in diverse and sometimes puzzling ways. Some prefer to speak quietly to themselves to help them understand ideas. Some prefer to re-write ideas in their own words to make them more meaningful. Others prefer to type their work and organize it of their own personal design.
Learning is not confined to the walls of the classroom. Learning is more than studying for a test or memorizing vocabulary words or the formulas—it occurs constantly and is a process we barely notice. Yet, there are ways of learning that are more effective for us than others. Some of you, for example, may prefer to listen to music while you study. Others may find it distracting or need a particular type of music to concentrate. A former student shared,
I memorize things by mouthing the information I need to memorize to myself. Although most people chant it, or mutter it, I find the noise made from it distracting while I’m memorizing the information, so I just mouth it, so that I can remember it, but not be distracted.
Another wrote,
I usually learn by experience. And I think that is the most effective way to learn..at least for me. I usually don’t have anybody to help me out. I guess I just don’t like anybody interfering me. I don’t follow specific steps either. I just do it by myself. ‘Cause I wasn’t born to be perfect in the first place. For example, the first time I baked (which isn’t long ago), I just tried. I took glimpses of the YouTube video and worked my way through... Of course, it didn’t end out well, but now, I’m pretty good. I just taught my way through. By experience. I just feel so stressed out if I follow the steps. It makes me feel as if if I do anything wrong, I would fail.
To complete this Journal response, address the following:
Describe how you personally learn or study effectively. Remember, learning ≠ memorizing.
Comment on a peer's response.
-Brenden Lee Teacher