Learning how to learn

[AuDHD3245]

Have you ever thought about school? From the very first primary class to the last we ever had, we were there because we had to go. I'm from the UK and before primary school, we called it 'play school'. Then primary school, then secondary school, then college, then university. In the first classes of primary school, we learnt our ABC's, 1 + 1s, painting, we listened to stories, then it was play time, back to class, we learnt to write, played with sand, watched tadpoles grow, then it was lunch and play time, back to class and then it was play time for the last time of the day, class and then home. At home we played.

If you can remember those days, they're probably considered the most important years of our lives.

BUT, can you ever remember at any point, at any time, where your parents or teachers told you 'why you were there'? Why we had to go to school. What was school?

We went everyday, we had to, we had to learn, but did anyone ever tell you what learning is?

As an adult, looking back, regressing and trying to work out why I didnt do good at school, the question arose. How do you learn? Being shown what to do and how to do it is the way to show someone 'what' to do, and some people get it straight away with no issues, some people get it but then start making mistakes, some people get it, make mistakes and then get good, some people get it, get good at it, make mistakes and then start forgetting how to do it. We're all different and we all do it in the way we were shown. Some people dont get it at all and never can get it.

That's learning. Some learn well, and some have difficulty learning.

Can you ever remember anyone, parents or teachers teaching us 'how to learn'? There are techniques, skills, ways and means of learning. Did anyone ever teach you those techniques? Did anyone develop those skills of 'how to learn'?

Isn't it obvious that people with learning difficulties, have those difficulties because they dont know 'how to learn'? We have to learn how to learn to be able to learn properly.

I didnt even know why I was at school. I was there for football at play time. I didnt even know that our multiple choice SAT exam was our qualification into secondary school and I just ticked anything to get it finished.

Can anyone remember being told/shown what school was? We we were there? How to learn? Is it correct to say everyone has to 'learn how to learn' and if you don't there's difficulties?

This is just a thought I had as I was diagnosed with ADHD and high functioning autism last year. I wondered why I didnt do well, why I kept failing, why I keep failing today and it all comes down to attention/concentration, organisation, commitment and understanding. We have to learn to understand, but if we dont know how to learn, we won't fully understand and if we don't fully understand, we have difficulties. Make sense?

[Karalin]

Wow, this is a story, like a well-written piece. It is so much more than just a comment. I appreciate that. You are right, we were not all taught how to learn. I have had to learn how to develop those skills and I have but it came from reading articles, talking to my college academic advisor, and most of all, PRACTICING. It definitely takes time to find your groove and your own unique personal style, your niche of learning per se. But it is well worth it because I start using this stuff and not only do grades go up, but I actually REMEMBER STUFF and can talk about that stuff.

It comes with work and consistency, but not consistently procrastinating which is what I am doing now Anyways, have a great day and thank you for this post 🙂