An article on how to go about learning anything

How to go about learning anything:
Learning is an active process. We learn by doing. Also repetition is the mother of learning. Knowledge that is repeatedly applied stays in long term memory and helps to acquire skill to convert knowledge to action.

The problem with information overload:
In this era of information overload, true learning takes considerable discipline. We are constantly bombarded with new and potentially better information. Old school of revision, repetition and application takes back seat. While I am certainly not recommending revising outdated info, at least to master fundamentals, these techniques come handy. Be it a student or a working executive trying to master new knowledge, these suggestions will help to accelerate the learning process. At times, they appear to be slow. But in reality what appears to be slow initially may be fast in the long run.

Steps:
- Develop a deep, driving desire to learn, a vigorous determination to master the subject. If you don’t have this, you will get bored soon and give up. One way to do this is by constantly reminding yourself of how important mastering of this new knowledge for you and how you can put this new knowledge to you
- Set aside some time every alternate days that you will dedicate to study the subject. Setting say 90 mins every alternate days for a span of 3 months even if it just takes 60 mins for 3 months. This buffer time will come handy to cover some of the missed session. Alternate days because if some unforeseen thing comes up, you can always catch up on the next day. You don’t have to be lazy and use it every time. But use it when absolutely needed. This will help avoid frustration
- Don’t switch from one subject to another in one session. Remember considerable switchover energy and time is wasted by switching from one topic to another. If possible it’s better to get a topic till logical conclusion (say a chapter or part completion) and move onto the next one.
- Don’t read merely for entertainment. Take notes and revise notes regularly (say weekly and monthly once one session should be set aside for revision). In the long run, this will mean saving time and getting results. Keep a diary—a diary in which you record your success in the application.
- Stop frequently in your reading to think over what you are reading. Ask yourself just how and when you can apply each suggestion.
- Read with a pencil your hand; and when you come across a sentence that you feel you can use, underline it. Marking and underscoring a book make it far more interesting, and far easier to review rapidly.
- Some people are good in learning groups and other studying alone. Try to figure out what kind of person you are. Even if you are a person who learns fast alone, no harm in forming a group and discuss doubts. Discussion helps in getting different viewpoints that otherwise you would have never thought yourself.
- The rapidity with which we forget is astonishing. Try to put to use what you have learnt. Learning is an active process. We learn by doing. If you don’t, you will forget them quickly. Only knowledge that is used sticks in your mind.

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