For example, there are plenty of available resources if you want to master drawing. Find books on drawing techniques at the library, look up video tutorials, and read a variety of how-to blogs online. Any and every new source of information can help! Don’t read a single how-to guide; using different learning styles to practice a skill can be even more helpful than using one method. Don’t worry about sticking to a particular learning style (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic). Engaging with the information you learn is far more important than studying a particular way.
Let’s say you want to learn a programming language like C#. Try it out rather than spending all your time in a textbook! Learn by coding a small program and working out the bugs yourself.
If you’re already a student enrolled in college, this should be an easy task! Just search your school’s course list for a subject that interests you. Ask people you know if they can recommend a teacher or tutor to you. Many colleges and research institutions also have free online courses you can take, called “Massive Open Online Courses” (MOOC). Make incremental goals small and manageable, so they build on each other. When learning to play guitar, start by learning scales and chords and then graduate to a basic song, and reward yourself after each.
For example: “I’m a news journalist with plans to venture into columns and feature writing. I’d love to learn more about your journey pursuing a similar path and hone my proofreading and editing skills with your help. ” Reach out to a potential mentor through their contact information or a professional site like LinkedIn. Once they express interest in being your mentor, set up an initial meeting for the two of you to discuss the mentorship further. Meet up in person if you can, or do a video call otherwise. You could also propose a skill exchange! Teach someone in exchange for them teaching you, too. As a result, you’ll both benefit and learn something new.
For example, read work from famous poets if you want to write poetry but are unsure how to start. Pick a style of poetry you like, analyze that poet’s style, and try replicating it in a work of your own. Eventually, you’ll develop your own style and technique. Until then, borrowing from an expert can help you gain a better understanding of the skill and improve your abilities overall.
Say you’re learning how to decorate cakes. Craft a lesson plan for a friend! What techniques should they learn? In simplest terms, how would you explain working with fondant, or making a frosting flower? However you decide to teach others about your chosen skill, practice explaining each concept with easy-to-follow steps. The better you can explain something, the better you understand it.
For instance: if you’re a morning person, schedule your learning period in the morning. You’ll be more alert and absorb more information that way. Write the schedule in a planner, journal, or calendar. Putting your plan down in writing will help keep you accountable going forward.
For example, if you’re learning to play the violin and understand major scales but struggle with minor scales, focus on learning a new minor scale with each practice instead of sticking solely to major scales. Work on going out of your comfort zone and trying new things, even if they’re difficult initially. You’ll better understand the discipline by focusing on the most difficult concepts. You might be confused and uncomfortable when practicing something unfamiliar. You might even fail at first. That’s okay! Embrace each failure as a learning experience that teaches you what not to do in the future.
Avoid multitasking too, which makes you less productive overall. Dedicate all of your focus to learning that skill or concept for the entire study period.
Mental fatigue can make it more difficult to absorb information and stick with a new skill. By taking frequent breaks, you’re improving your productivity and preserving your motivation to learn.
You can also test skills that wouldn’t require a traditional exam, like skateboarding or drawing. Each time you learn a concept—like a skateboarding trick or a drawing technique—try it and then grade your performance. Say you learned about the drawing technique cross hatching. Test yourself by creating a work of art shaded only with cross hatching. Then, evaluate the finished product. What did you do well? What could be improved? The goal of testing is never to criticize yourself or your abilities—it’s to figure out where you can make progress and become the best that you can be.
For instance, you might aim to learn a new Mandarin character every day for a month. Celebrate at the end of the month by getting a treat from your favorite bakery or buying that game you want.
For example, you might be hesitant to study guitar because you don’t plan to be a musician, but that’s no reason not to learn! Music is a great creative outlet and source of fun, no matter what. There are lots of other fun skills you could learn. Consider drawing, learning a new language, singing, or dancing. You could also learn practical skills that can help you with everyday life, like organization techniques, basic car repair, or making a budget.
Other skills that could make you an even more desirable employee include proficiency in search engine optimization, Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, and even typing. Your company may even have funding available for certain skills you want to learn—then you can hone your abilities courtesy of your employer! You could also learn a skill that allows you to start a side business. Many artists and creators take commissions while working other jobs; one day, you could even transition to being self-employed full-time.
