Why is self-learning considered the building blocks of a bright future?
Jim Rohn once commented “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” His quote is quite relevant in today’s competitive world, where one should have the ability to stand out in a crowd and lead ahead. To develop this ability, the role of self-learning is paramount.
Self-study or self-learning refers to the process where a person studies by himself using books, journals, and other sources. It is an individual effort, with guidance from teachers/mentors/supervisors being very minimum. A significant mode of effective learning, self-study enables students to develop a better understanding and get more insights into any subject or topic. Ultimately, self-trained people get the edge over others while appearing for any examination. Even in the professional world, self-learners are much sought-after because of their in-depth knowledge base and unique problem-solving skills, which are byproducts of self-learning.
Why should students opt for self-study?
In the era of coaching centers and tutorials, self-study holds some unique advantages, which are as follows:
- Enables students to widen their knowledge and thinking base
- Generates curiosity
- Creates a sense of responsibilities
- Imbibes self-confidence and boosts self-esteem
- Inculcates problem-solving skills into students
How to start?
Self-study is not rocket science that is difficult to follow. For better adherence to this technique, the following tips are quite helpful.
- Be focused: Like any other endeavor, a clear objective is the first and foremost requisite for self-learning. Which subject/topic are you going to study? Have you collected necessary information/details on the subject/topic? How will you examine your understanding? Your entire self-learning endeavor should revolve around these questions.
- Stay cautious while collecting information: With the growing prevalence of World Wide Web, there is no dearth of information. However, it is quite challenging to find relevant and reliable sources of information amidst heaps of junk. So, take a cautious approach while looking for information. It is a crucial step that can make or mar your self-learning endeavor.
- Cover various aspects of the subject: Unlike conventional coaching/tutorial-based teaching approach that focuses only on exam-oriented study, self-learning covers every aspect related to a subject/topic. So, you must try to adhere to this norm.
- Hone up problem-solving skills: While learning a subject/topic on your own, you may encounter various problems. You may not understand a term or some parts of the lesson. Instead of banking on others, try to solve your queries on your own. It will gradually sharpen your problem-solving skills.
- Leverage technology: Technology is a big help for self-learners. So, do not hesitate to leverage new-age technologies. Various online modules and training capsules will help you get more insights into any subject or topic. Besides, joining different online communities–such as Maths Community, Physics Community–is a good option for a student to deepen his/her knowledge base in any subject/topic.
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