Whether you study biology, math, or guitar, some mistakes don’t depend on the subject. That’s what we’d like to talk about in this article. After all, if you manage to avoid them, your learning speed will increase several times.
Mistake one: memorize what you need to understand
Mnemonic techniques and simple memorization can really help sometimes. They develop memory, creative imagination, and discipline. But you should separate what needs to be memorized and what needs to be absorbed. Formulas need to be known, but it’s also important to understand what they mean and how they work in real life.
Another problem with memorization is that this method does not allow us to look for connections between topics and subjects. We absorb knowledge better when we see how it relates to information we already know.
Mistake Two: Lack of Practice
Taking courses is not practice. Highlighting text, rereading notes, neither. Practice is:
- Trying to answer a question without hinting;
- applying a skill, not just learning it;
- getting feedback on whether the attempt was successful.
Decide in advance what percentage of time you will allocate to practice while studying the subject. For example, you can allocate 50% for physics, and 75% for a foreign language.
A great way to check yourself will be self-assessment. Next time you read a book you want to understand, create a list of questions, not quotes.
Mistake three: Create the wrong environment
A person who learns a foreign language can put himself or herself in an environment that promotes learning it: go to another country or communicate only in that language.
A person who wants to start a blog can read a lot of literature on the subject. But it’s best to start blogging right away and seek feedback. That way he will put himself in an environment where he can both practice gaining experience and knowledge.
Observe those who learn quickly and effectively. What kind of environment have they placed themselves in?
Mistake four: Being a short-term perfectionist
No one wants to look like a fool. We hide the fact that we do not understand the subject and want to let others know that we have it all figured out. That’s why it’s best to demonstrate the skills that we’ve already mastered for a long time. We wait until we are ready to accomplish things, and in the meantime, we practice what we already know.
The best motto is to make mistakes as early as you can, make as many mistakes as you can. Make mistakes and don’t be afraid to look like a fool. That means not taking yourself seriously and putting your ego to rest.
It’s hard to say for sure, but probably most people in the world want to do better. And only a part of them really do. They have worked with their psyche, are used to separating mistakes from their personality, and learn several times faster than the rest of us.
Mistake Five: Not being a long-term perfectionist
Being a learning perfectionist is commendable. Long-term perfectionist:
- Does not wait for the right moment, but acts here and now.
- Continuously improves his or her skills.
- Feels uncomfortable about stomping around for a long time.
A short-term perfectionist will not practice the knowledge of a foreign language for a long time and will refuse to enter into dialogues with native speakers. Long-term will do it at the first opportunity: at first, he will make a few mistakes, but in the end, he will get his point across. And this experience will be remembered for a lifetime.
Mistake six: learn without limits
Some people make strange decisions: learn Chinese or become an expert in programming. They say they know how long it takes, but are sure they can save their motivation until the very end. A frequent outcome? The case is dropped after a month.
When we start learning something very complicated, we have to realize that the word “have to” doesn’t work here. Only someone who is really passionate and does not want anything else can study programming for five years.
In addition, you need a clear strategy. Surely you must have experienced this: today you are learning 7 hours, tomorrow – 8 hours, and the day after tomorrow you hardly have enough desire for 20 minutes. This is the consequence of the lack of restrictions. Even if you feel a lack of time and you have too many study assignments, in that case, it is useful to get essay help.
Learning needs to be harmoniously integrated into your life, not suppressed.
Mistake seven: Not being interested
Many people convince themselves that the subject they are studying is boring. This is wrong because it all depends on the mood that you create yourself.
You want to think that studying is boring, and it will happen. If you show interest in it, the speed of learning will increase several times. The main thing is to ask questions and insatiably hunt for answers. Curiosity kills any boredom; you just need to ignite your enthusiasm. Take notes, use post-its and charts, draw mental maps, and fully engage yourself in the process.
If you wake up in the morning and feel like you don’t want to study, take a few minutes to increase your motivation level. Think about the benefits of studying the subject matter. Five to ten minutes is usually enough to generate interest.
We wish you good luck!
