They say that you should teach a man to fish, rather than to give him one. Sound advice with honest intent. But how do you proceed if no one can or will teach you a new skill? Or what if you lack the means to find someone who can/will? Another adage says you either “sink or swim” (you’d think people would also include floating as a legitimate possibility), yet where do you begin when you find yourself thrust into water? How do you prevent falling in too deep?
Some believe that you just start swimming; try to synchronize limb movement. Dive right into it, simply put. This can work under certain circumstances for [often] certain people. Otherwise, remember that you need to fish, rather than be fish.
So what other way(s) can you learn or teach yourself something?
Learning, as with fishing, traverses across multiple different routes that still lead to your desired outcome. Spearfish like early humans from the Paleolithic era, baitfish, grab them bare-handed, and so on. Use theory, experience, experimentation, the whole nine yards, plus more to learn. But first, you must assess the situation to personally optimize your endeavor(s), else things might start seeming fishy (and honestly, you probably want to avoid that kind of fish).
<aside> 🧠 *Ah yes, should you fight with brawn or go crazy with brains?
The author recommends brawn because she likes to minimize zombie interaction whenever possible.*
</aside>
Ahem, what skill do you wish to learn? More importantly, does it require mental or physical strength (physical skills can include anything from rugby to embroidery)? Both? Regardless, you must play bartender to create the most potent cocktail as you seek to enlighten yourself — mixing and matching various theories, techniques, experiments, etc. People say, “you learn by doing,” on one hand, while you also hear, “Study, study, study!” on the other. Which one should you listen to and which one yields better outcomes? The truth? Each holds equal, albeit different, value; thus, heed them both (e.g., a lab without theoretical knowledge lacks potential to improve and apply itself). Come examine some example cocktails in action!
A classic cocktail for the classic student. Iconic, really. This cocktail method combines traditional, classroom-style learning (books, whether digital or in-print, practice problems and answers, etc.) laced with an occasional experience to test the waters. Suitable for most academic pursuits. The student primarily relies on YouTube videos; Yahoo Answers; new, used, and/or PDF textbook versions to guide their self-paced learning.
An even-split cocktail for those who want ample theory behind procedure. This cocktail method utilizes lecture alongside experience. The student takes time to master material before venturing out on their own. Materials include the same as Cocktail 1, in addition to necessary tools or kits. Suitable for different trades and some academic pursuits. Unfortunately, bananas seldom appear.
A cocktail created for those who dive right in and swim. This cocktail method packs major experience in one sip, with a small, theoretical aftertaste (after all, cardinal directions usually come in handy when hiking). The student cannonballs into their desired activity using proper equipment. Suitable for many trades, crafts, and exercises. Coincidentally, life happens to serve this cocktail the most.
Your turn! Create your own cocktail with your own special ingredients that best fits your learning needs.
So now you have picked your poison...er, chosen your cocktail, to match with the respective skill. How do you utilize your resources to learn? Remember, you want to teach yourself something on your own, so for now, focus on comprehending any applicable material (find study techniques here or here). This can include understanding the card game, Uno’s, rules; or understanding mathematical proofs. Comprehension exists on multiple levels, yet it begins with a single connection. Synapses, or regions where neurons pass impulses between each other, account for your rudimentary learning processes or reflexes (of course, “deeper” and more complex learning requires various brain regions to work together).
Despite your desired comprehension level, simplify information whenever possible.
Reading from a textbook? Deconstruct each line, paragraph, chapter, etc. and either summarize or explain it in your own words. Think big picture, ignoring minute details (study those later, if needed). Understand processes and how events relate to each other, as opposed to nomenclature, for example. Wanna figure out how to play a game? Most games have a free digital version (if the game is not online-based already). Download it, adjust to an easy setting, and face a computer. Do this until you feel comfortable enough to verse a real opponent. Exercising for the first time in a while? Start slow. Stretch, hydrate, and maintain consistency. Gradually increase intensity as each new exercise becomes easier for you/you experience minimal muscle soreness.
Additionally, talk yourself through the process as if you have to teach someone. This makes you identify the most crucial knowledge, allowing you to “connect the dots” between information. Every learning technique and experience (whether positive or negative, right or wrong) stimulates connection somehow; it boils down to what works best for you. Studying strengthens those connections, so you need to establish them beforehand.
Bated Breath