NO matter how old you grow or what you do, you just can’t cease learning. It is a life long process and goes on almost all the time. Every now and then one comes across something new, something one is not familiar with before.

But most people typically tend to avoid learning the new-fangled stuff. It could be computer software or game or even some new course book. Getting on with an unfamiliar task or job can definitely be tricky, or frustrating, sometimes even embarrassing. But not letting your lack of awareness of it get in the way is the first step toward forthright learning.

In fact, if the new topic or subject is learnt in a well thought out manner, it can be less troubling. Here are some helpful techniques that I have found helpful for myself and I would like to call this ‘The art of learning.’ So let me share them with you.

Start with basics only

At first, just learn the basic concept. Don’t try to get into the ‘microscopic’ details. With a good grasp on the fundamental idea, you can confidently move on to more advanced information, as by that time you would be more familiar with it.

Research proves that the more time we spend with someone (or something), the dearer it becomes to us. Dealing with that thing becomes less taxing. The art of learning is to get accustomed to the new topic or subject. A brief overview is sufficient.

Don’t overdo it

Our memory is just like a sponge — it absorbs lots of information. Its capacity (unlike that of your computer hard-disk) is virtually infinite. However, its retaining strength is not so grand and that’s why later we may not recall all that we learnt in the afternoon. (Do you think a hard-disk instead of a brain might have been better?)

A new topic, a new difficulty. That is what most students think and rightly so as it takes time for something to settle in our memory – the storage that is already pretty stuffed. Cramming on and on, thus, is not at all a good strategy.

You should never overload your memory – things can get quite muddled up, otherwise. Small doses of learning (like some low drug therapy) are the best solution.

What? Why? How?

It is a well-known fact that new learners ask lots of questions starting with ‘Why’, ‘What’ and ‘How.’ It is because they have no assumed knowledge of the topic.

However, the same learners, after some months, would be left with fewer questions. And it comes about due to the information that is integrated into our brain with time. Of course, paying attention to studies is the first step toward a better comprehension.

The moral: don’t be afraid — it is natural to not know something or a topic you have never come across before.

It’s like solving a puzzle

Studying a new topic, to me, is just like solving a jigsaw puzzle. As such, the first step is to find the bits. So, at that time unravelling the whole puzzle is impossible and, obviously impractical. So, don’t try to do that. The pieces, the fundamentals, must be gathered and analysed.

Take the kinetic theory of particles for example. There are some imperative concepts in it like molecules, attractive bonds, kinetic energy, potential energy, etc. Equipped with the fundaments, the student can move ahead to grasp the advanced ideas of pressure, boiling, melting, etc. as explained by the kinetic theory.

Hang out with them

The more time you spend with your books, the more friendly they turn and the better you will know them! And friends demand that you hangout with them and spend some time with them. In that sense, books are acutely misunderstood creatures (the geeks and nerds know this!). Isn’t it irrational to seek help from someone in the exam hall whom you have never taken out of your bag even once? So please arrange regular hangouts for the greater good.

Is it not strange that a fearsome book that seemed scary at the start of the term, starts appearing appealing at the end of the term? The fact is by that you have spent time with the book and it has become a friend — and friends are never fearsome.

A new topic or chapter may not make any sense at the start. However, after continuous practice over time, everything starts making sense. And soon you befriend the topic. It really takes time to know each other.

Instead of studying a week or just a month before the exam, initiate it the very day you get hold of your new course books. The date sheet will of course come (to send shivers down your spine).

No perfectionism please

While learning a new thing, don’t be impatient. For instance, those ambitious students who aspire to master their books the very first time later find themselves lost in its pages. So, no perfections please! I remember how I never finished Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte just because I tried to understand each and every word of it — though I was reading for fun!

Do have rewards

Having finished an assignment or task, you must feel that sense of triumph. Taking one’s efforts for granted is an awful idea. You should pat yourself at the back when you do well because often there is not going to be anyone else doing that for you.

So start appreciate yourself when you deserve it. Feel contented with your hard work for it is part of the great progress you intend to make. It always pays off!

And remember: The slow and the steady always wins the race!