A Better Way to Learn
How to create a system that makes learning easier and fun
Let's admit it, learning anything isn't always easy. Sometimes, it's an uphill battle, a daunting trial-and-error journey that frustrates and overwhelms us. The process of learning new skills can often be a discouraging experience, causing many to give up early. However, you can create a system that makes learning a new skill easy and more fun.
Can you relate to this?
You start an online course, all pumped up and enthusiastic, like you're about to conquer the tech world, maybe even code your AI-powered event planner. You're diving into JavaScript or swimming in the UI/UX sea with grand plans. Then a few days later, that initial excitement dwindles faster than a cookie in a room full of cookie monsters. Boredom starts peeking around the corner, whispering sweet temptations to ditch your newfound passion for something else entirely.
Sound familiar? We've all been there, riding the rollercoaster of excitement and disillusionment regarding learning. But here's the scoop: I've uncovered a nifty little recipe for becoming the Jedi Master of any skill – Learn, Practice (Build), Reflect, Unlearn, Relearn, Share, and, of course, Repeat. I may not have a "know-it-all" badge, but with these ingredients, you can navigate the learning galaxy with finesse, just like Yoda in his prime.
Let's dive into Learning
Learning is similar to experimenting with different ideas and concepts, Just like playing with building blocks! First, you must decide what you want to build, like a tall tower or a cool castle. That is, you need to establish what you want to achieve. Then, you start putting the blocks together, but instead of just watching, you play with them and try different ways to construct your tower or castle. That's called active learning! You actively engage with the material, exploring various methods to achieve your goal. For you to learn a skill to mastery, it has to be done intentionally and deliberately. Let’s look at the steps to take to master any skill:
Learn:
Acquiring knowledge is the first step in mastering a skill, it involves actively seeking out knowledge about a skill you want to learn. For instance, If you want to learn how to code in Python, you start by searching for materials online, videos, books etc that you can learn from and start learning. At this stage, you have to absorb as much information as possible and build a solid foundation of understanding.
Practice (Build):
As the saying goes; “Practice Makes Perfect”. Once you’ve acquired the necessary knowledge, it is time to put it into action. Deliberately engage in practising your new skill, focusing on specific aspects of the skill and gradually improving over time. For instance, with a profound knowledge of coding in Python, you start practising what you have learnt while still learning. You might make mistakes along the way, but each attempt helps improve your skill and confidence. It is important to note that repetition is the key to continuous practice here as it helps to solidify your understanding and develop muscle memory.
Reflect:
At this point, you have to give yourself some time to consider your development and experiences. Reflect on what went well. Ask yourself these questions: “What could have been done better?” “What might have caused the error?” “What could have been done differently?” This allows you to learn from both successes and failures while building your future efforts and refining your approach.
Unlearn:
This involves letting go of outdated knowledge, misconceptions or things that may hinder your progress in your chosen skill set. It requires humility and a willingness to challenge your assumptions. You have to be open to new ideas and perspectives and not be afraid to discard old ways of thinking that no longer serve you.
Relearn:
After unlearning, it’s time to embrace new insights and perspectives. You have to seek out opportunities to expand and deepen your knowledge continuously. Stay curious and be willing to explore different approaches to learning and problem-solving, keeping in mind that learning is a dynamic process, and there is always more to discover.
Share:
One of Dome Academy’s slogans is “DON’T LEARN IN THE DARK”. Yes, it is very important to understand that you are not an island of yourself, So sharing your knowledge and experiences with others is important. It is not just a way of giving back to the community but also a valuable learning tool for yourself. Teaching someone else forces you to clarify your understanding and can lead to new insights and perspectives. Whether it’s through teaching, writing, speaking or sharing on your social media, just find ways to share what you’ve learned with others. Sharing also exposes you to valuable feedback from other professionals in the field who can give you valuable tips that could help you in your learning journey.
Repeat:
If you are serious about mastering a skill, it is important to note that mastery is a journey, not a destination. Once you’ve gone through the entire steps of learning, you have to go over it again because mastery is achieved through dedication perseverance and a commitment to lifetime learning.
Try to be Consistent
You've probably heard this saying a million times, “practice makes perfect". But the truth is you can never be good at any skill unless you practice it consistently. The secret is to realize that practice is about being intentional and focusing your effort directed towards growth. So if you are serious about mastering a skill, embrace the mantra of “showing up daily”, even if it's for 15 minutes. Embrace the process, stay committed and trust that with each repetition, you are getting one step closer to excellence. Like James Clear will say: “Habits compound". Starting may be hard but with consistency, it becomes easier over time.
Here are some tips to stay consistent:
Set Daily Reminders:
One that helps in setting priorities right is having daily reminders. When you schedule actions you want to take, it makes it easier to remember to do them. The same applies to learning. When you set a time to learn on your calendar, it helps you remember to learn. You could use a calendar app to set reminders or set your alarm to ring when it's time to learn. You could also you sticky notes to remind yourself to take action.
Breakdown your Learning Goal into Small Chunks:
Sometimes we dive into learning a new skill to master a skill completely. However, breaking your learning goals into smaller actionable chunks can make it easier to master. For example, you could have a learning target of mastering Javascript, you have it down into small chunks. First, you could master the syntax and how to assign variables, then control flow and conditionals before eventually diving into complex topics like promises and callbacks. This also helps you gain mastery of the fundamentals which builds up to more complex knowledge.
Keep a Scoreboard:
A personal scoreboard helps you keep track of your learning journey. You could use a small note or dairy for this. Take note of what you learnt, what you are to learn next and what you just learnt but didn't understand. This way you keep making progress and it becomes easier to reflect on your learning and gain momentum.
Get an Accountability Partner:
Whether a mentor, a family member, a community or a friend, accountability partners help you remain consistent in learning. When choosing an accountability partner make sure it's someone who is growth-minded and positive. The best kind of accountability partners are people who are on the same journey as you. They help you stay motivated, challenge yourself and share new knowledge you've learnt along the way.
Start Now!
The best time to kick start your learning journey is now. There are a lot of things to learn, just pick an area of skill that interests you and helps you find a purpose or fulfilment. Whether your goal is to boost your income, get a foreign gig or become a better of yourself, you can do this by mere wishful thinking, you have to take intentional action. If you want to start your journey now, you can join our community of dedicated learners at Dome Academy.
If you want to enthusiastic about getting started learn in tech but you need guidance, you can reach out send your question to our Whatsapp chat using this link.