Acquiring Knowledge: Your Learning Process

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

Acquiring Knowledge: Your Learning Process

 

I now know, first hand, what it is like to go back to school. Going

back to follow my second passion, medicine, after a very successful

and passionate career as a dancer/choreographer has been rewarding

beyond belief. The first day of school can be a scary prospect for

anyone, but adult students confront special concerns and fears.

 

Adults are more likely to have multiple responsibilities, requiring

them to juggle commitments to school, family and employers. They may

be haunted by negative earlier experiences with formal education, or

worry about being " rusty. " Re-entry students may feel uncomfortable

when surrounded by younger, technologically- savvy classmates.

Previous drop-outs may be anxious about being able to complete the

program this time around. While all of these concerns are legitimate,

none are insurmountable.

 

 

" Life is designed by our soul and spirit as our moment-by-moment

opportunity to expand our consciousness. "

 

 

1. Value your experience : Think of the significant lessons you've

learned since you were last in school. No doubt you've learned a

great deal about human relationships through a broad range of

interactions. You may have learned about health and medicine through

the birth of a child or the illness or injury of someone dear to you.

Perhaps you've acquired technical skills through employment or home

maintenance, repair and improvement. A love of travel could have

exposed you to other languages and cultures. Certainly you've learned

the value of academic credentials, something your younger classmates

may not yet realize.

 

2. Learning can happen ANYWHERE: Clearly, you don't have to be in a

classroom to learn. Not only are your life and work experiences

valid, they can sometimes give you an advantage over your less

experienced classmates. Making connections between classroom studies

and life experiences can enliven and enrich not only your own

learning, but that of your teachers and classmates, too.

 

3. Get off on the right foot : Getting off on the right foot means

managing your time effectively and establishing good study habits.

Many " stressed out " people suffer from " an overbooked schedule or a

greater number of responsibilities than one can reasonably handle. "

Don't let yourself get into this trap - learn to say " no " to

responsibility overload. One of the first steps to establishing good

study habits is understanding your learning style. Do you learn by

seeing? hearing? doing? Try some learning style self-assessment steps

below to help you decide.

 

4. Practice good study habits from the outset: Once equipped with an

understanding of your learning style, brainstorm how to make the most

of it. For example, if you are an audio learner, make sure to choose

a seat where you will be able to hear clearly. Consider taping

lectures and your own study notes for review purposes. Invest in

tabbed binders to keep your notes organized by subject.

 

5.Stay organized: Many students start out all excited and have their

materials together, but loose steam through their course of study.

Maintain a calendar of homework, assignment and test descriptions and

dates. Break big tasks (e.g., writing a term paper) down into

smaller, more manageable targets (e.g., locate library and Internet

resources; read and take notes; plan essay outline; write; proof-

read; edit). Review materials regularly and consult a tutor or your

teacher when you encounter items you don't understand. See study tips

(below) for advice and resources on note-taking, essay writing and

preparing for tests and more.

 

6. Use campus resources : The large number of adult students

returning to school has prompted many institutions to offer resources

and services to meet the needs of re-entry students. These services

may include academic, financial aid and career counseling; child

care; work opportunities; health services; housing; support groups

and tutoring. Some schools even have a central office and orientation

sessions to introduce their services to nontraditional students. Find

out what supports your school offers, and do make use of the ones you

need.

 

7. Get comfortable with technology : Campuses have gotten

increasingly wired in the past several years. Electronic student

cards can be used for everything from making photocopies to signing

books out of the library to buying lunch. Cell phones ring through

the halls, and too often, unfortunately, in the classrooms. Library

reserves are catalogued and searched on computer databases. Teachers

may send and receive assignments by e-mail. You may be taking some or

all of your courses online. Surrounded by younger, computer-savvy

classmates, how can you narrow the " generation lap " ? Look for free or

low-cost computer orientation courses offered by your school. Most

libraries help users learn to search their databases and Internet

resources. Schools may also offer workshops in basic keyboarding and

computer skills. A great deal of information and support can also be

found online.

 

8. Develop a support network : Sometimes it helps just to know that

you're not alone. Whether you are a career changer, single mother,

domestic violence survivor, recovering alcoholic, widow/widower,

or " Baby Boomer " , there ARE students like you, who share similar

interests and concerns. If your school doesn't have an adult student

support group, consider starting one up yourself or participating in

an online community. If the going gets tough, think of the reasons

you decided to return to school, and keep your eye on the prize.

Successfully managing the challenges of returning to school is a

rewarding achievement.

 

9. Be flexible: If you are going back to school after college, you

proboably have a rigid, set schedule at work, with the kids or in

your daily routine. Learn a lesson from the willow tree and its

ability to bend in the great wind. Where as, when we are rigid like

the old oak tree, we can easily break apart under the stress of

change. Learn to relax and follow the path unfolding before you.

 

10. Become more mindful: Mindfulness is the act of being fully aware

of what happens in each moment. Try living in the NOW. Be present.

Honor each moment you are given. Acknowledge each task you take.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit