Effective Ways of Learning

Human brain the only machine ever made which learns continuously even when it is in its Mother’s womb. Learns spans through several areas such as language, expressions, activities, hobbies, styles etc.  At different stages of life human beings have different needs, wants or requirements and learning is influenced by them.

In simpler words learning is the process by which a person attains the knowledge of how to do a specific work that can be anything, may its eating, walking, speaking, dressing, sports, reading, some artwork or music.

This continuous learning process is enabled by the “Curiosity” which is unique to humans. As you would have noticed children are more curious then grown-ups. Hence children learn faster than grown-ups. A simple example being when a child or a grown up would see the same thing, child’s brain will be more active in thinking ‘What is it’? than grown up’s brain. Hence the learning of the child about this thing will be more active and long lasting than grown up.

As we can see, learning includes two sides.

First side is always the “curious” mind.  And second side is an existing “object” or an “activity” created or performed by anyone. There are several examples of these two sides.

Examples of Objects and Curious Mind

1. Mango and People. A more curious mind will want to know everything about mango. Such as varieties, how is it grown, what is the different between several varieties etc etc. While a less curious mind will just be ok with knowing that this is called Mango.

2. Cricket Bat and People. A more curious mind will want to know what kind of bats are available. What is difference between the wood used to create them and the impact of weight on the bat’s performance. While a less curious mind will just be ok with knowing that it is a bat and batsman uses it in the game of cricket.

3. Math and People. A more curious mind will want to know the purpose of several different math fundaments. What is the relationship between a Plus and a Multiplication fundamental? While a less curious mind will just focus on memorizing these fundamentals and using them as needed.

In the same way there are Examples of Activities and Curious Mind

1. Teacher and Students: A more curious student will observe teacher’s teaching style, understand why and what they are talking about. While a less curious mind will only focus on what is being taught and try to remember.

2. Film Actor and Fans: A more curious fan will try and learn how do they act. Perhaps mimic and follow their style. While a less curious mind will just be happy to see them.

3. Elder Sibling and Yonger Sibling: A more curious younger sibling will want to understand what their elder brother or sister do and why they do it, how they do it and try and follow them. While a less curious mind will just try and remember what they do.

The conclusion of the above example is that Curiosity drives the bigger and longer lasting learning. The curiosity driven learning is very long lasting because it is registered in brains permanent memory which is accessible for a very long period.

Now that we have understood what drives lerning, lets now move on to learn what make it effective and efficient. And I will keep the focus on to our kids/students.

From the earlier classes to higher secondary level in School’s and then in colleges and universities, students find it very hard to learn new things, even it is hard for teachers in school and colleges to teach using best methods through which students can learn effectively. while preparing for exams or for oral test or for an speech to be given in group, normally students  finds themselves  unable in finding facts, extracting the useful information and points, what is necessary and what is unnecessary among the study material, good and bad points etc. But if a student has proper technique, he/she can be a topper and always be ahead of other classmates.

Let’s see the some effective ways of learning-

1. Underline and Note Down the Important points

Before staring the class prompt your curious mind and tell that it willb e fun to learn new concept today. Then in the lecture or class of some subject, put all your concentration on the words of the teacher, try to understand by yourself what the topic is all about and write down each important point which teacher is says “it is important” or which you think can be an additional knowledge. Also underline the facts which is sharing some useful formula, info or details. After the lecture concludes, write down each and every points and thing which you have underlined. Make a Note of that apart from your regular class note books and while preparing for the test or exam, just go through that, it will help you in writing additional and important points which your classmates have not write in their sheet

2.Understand the points not cram

At the end of the class or school day prompt your curious mind again and ask, what did it learn today? How cool was it. Make your mind feel proud on its learning of this new concept. Even if you are not interested in the subject, just make it interesting by patting your back and saying how easy it was. Then try to explain it to your own mind, friends, or family in your own words. This method will not only help you to learn more effectively but also increase your communication skills. In beginning it may seem difficult but with regular practice you can make yourself smarter.

3.Organize your Time and Schedule

Practice to organize your time and schedule. This will comfort your mind in knowing that you are not just after the studies. So plan your time specifically for sports and fun. Once you have planned your time and told your brain, you will see that study time will be as exciting as sports and fun time. Just always remember to prompt your brain’s curiosity in the start.

4 Test and analyze yourself

The best way to test and analyze your own self is to do the assignment without preparing for it just before. Do your regular learning as per above guidelines. Then after a few days attempt an assignment on that subject. Review the assignment and find out what you did good and why? Once you have got the answer of why you did good in some areas, you will notice that your curious mind will automatically want to do the same for all other areas. By repeating this process you will master your learnings.

5 Do Smart Study not Hard Study

Now the last but not least. Learning is not about stressing yourself or putting hours and hours of dedicated time sitting in front of the books. That is called as STUDY HARD. However you can achieve the same or better results by STUDYING SMART. What it means is that learn every time by just keep prompting your brains curiosity. For example Math can be learned at the time of helping your parents in a shopping trip. You can do a quick analysis of buy one get one free offer and tell them what is good in that offer. It will not only be fun but also eliminate the need to revise the Multiplication and Division concepts.

Similarly while watching TV, start focusing on the grammar, comprehensions, and vocabulary. This will double the fun by not only you are enjoying the tally but also revising your English or Hindi concepts.

Read story books with the curiosity of a better comprehension. Think of synonyms while reading a word.

So idea is to learn while your doing your regular work. This will make the study time very exciting. Because then you will just be focusing on what you could not do in the shopping, watching the tally or reading the book. And that is the peak of your curiosity. Learning a concept at that time will be ever lasting in your brain.

Hope this blog will help you in becoming a smart learner.

Thanks for reading, Happy Learning

Written by

Sachin Dhillo (Blogger & Digital Marketing Professional)