How to Be a Self-Learner

[shibli]

There is a lot to learn in today's world. Many people do not have time to take classes or be with a teacher to learn something new. Therefore, it is important to be a self-learner if you want to discover new and exciting things. Anyone can learn new things and the more you know, the more you grow. Life long learners never stop growing.


Instructions   

Write down some things that you would like to self-learn on your own.

Choose ways to learn the new information by writing down ways you can learn, such as through books, the Internet and programs.
         
Create a timeline of goals or steps you will need to accomplish to learn the new information. This helps you pace yourself and you do not learn too much, too fast.


Test yourself after learning the information by telling someone else about what you learned or actually trying the new skill you just learned.


Reward yourself for self-learning the new information.
         

Motivate yourself to self-learn new things by thinking positive. Where there is a will, there is a way.


eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2087717_be-self-learner.html#ixzz1bU4pkcaU

[shibli]

http://www.gyanguru.org/the-importance-of-self-study/

Self-study is one of the most important things to do in order to qualify for an examination. Number of hours does not actually come into play when you can actually study for 2 hours with the efficiency of 4 hours slog and there’s no point in studying more.

In classroom teaching, there are several factors which actually hinder the outcome of good learning. Since, the syllabus is quite huge and teachers are burdened to complete the syllabus in a restricted time frame, they often go on a faster pace. Pace doesn’t affect one’s learning process as much as the duration of each class. Long classes actually saturate students and they often feel tired and become less receptive. And in such a situation, you can’t even take a break and let your brain become receptive again.

That’s where self-study outperforms the classroom teaching. When you are studying by yourself you can actually take some time off and take break in order to get back to your usual self as an average student gets tired in an hour or an hour and a half.

All you need to do is to, draft a schedule and start working towards your goal in a systematic method. Do not add up sky high study hours in your schedule as you are bound to lose on the track. Keep it straight forward and allot time to your subjects equally.

I am going to tell you something interesting about the toppers in the IIT JEE 2008 examination which I got to know from one of my friends. The first ranker used to study for more than 15 hours a day whereas the second ranker just studied for 5-6 hours. Isn’t this astonishing? By now, you should have understood that number of hours is not important but qualitative study is very important.

If you haven’t started doing this, start now as preparation which begins early will yield a much better result.

[shibli]

The Importance of Lifelong Learning
We live in the Knowledge Age, which means that the ability to apply the right knowledge effectively is an important skill and the cornerstone of our success. If you ever doubt the strength of knowledge and learning, just ask someone who hasn't used a computer in 10 years to find an article on the Internet.

   
Learning makes us more interesting. Knowledge enables a different perspective, fascinating conversation and a deeper understanding. It makes us better people; allows us to make better, informed decisions; and assists us in becoming more successful in our careers.

The advancement of technology has boosted the pace of our lives, and requires us to learn something new each day just to stay current in the workplace. Although on-the-job training is wonderful, you can't rely on your company to provide the necessary education. It's advantageous for everyone to make time for learning, seek out their own opportunities, use available resources wisely, and find new resources.

If you've decided to take a particular course of learning and apply it to your career, you have to be smart about what you're learning. When it comes to selecting a class or program, make sure that you're targeting your needs. Can the teachings of that class be applied to your life and the real world? Think about your current position and how it can be enhanced by additional coursework. Would the knowledge of a particular software package help? Or would an advanced degree increase your marketability?

Once you've identified what you need to know, decide how you're going to learn. Will you request a short training course or seek help from an institution?

Don't be discouraged by the perceived barriers to learning:

   Time—"I'll never be able to fit classes into my busy schedule!"
   Financial—"I can't afford the cost of tuition right now!"
   Information—"I don't know where to start!"
   Location—"The university is too far, and I don't like the academic environment."

These hindrances are not insurmountable. We make time for the important things; financial aid is always a possibility; talking to your colleagues or manager is a good start; and there are several alternatives to a traditional classroom environment.

The lack of knowledge prevents personal and professional growth, so it's important to commit to lifelong learning as a practice for eternal self-improvement.

Work cited from
http://info.aiuonline.edu/aiuzine/issue31/theme1.asp