Learning doesn't stop when we leave school or college. We continue learning all the time when life throws those little curve balls every now and then. This section is for the learner in everyone- so if you have thought about changing career, starting a business, having a second income or just doing something because you can and you want to- this is the place to be!

In this section, I will gather together some of the courses and opportunities that are out there. Point you in the right direction, or give you the little push you need and help you to make informed decisions on what would be the right/most beneficial learning for you to embark upon.

Learning styles and aides

We all learn differently, but the majority of people are somewhere on the VARK model, - visual, auditory, reading, and kinaesthetic learners. However, you prefer to learn — there’s something for everyone in the list of simple techniques below.

It is important to mix up your methods of learning this can help you learn information faster. This should also help to keep you interested and encourage you to plan your learning.

 

Write notes by hand: When working on a new skill, don't underestimate the power of putting pen to paper. While you might type faster than you write, writing helps your learning to stick.

According to a 2014 study at Princeton University, handwritten notes can help you to listen more actively, allowing you to note key information and remember it later on.

 

Take regular breaks:  Recent research published in Current Biology suggests that, when you’re learning a physical skill, most improvements take place during the breaks between practice sessions.

Learning in short bursts over a longer period of time means you encounter the learning more often and this encourages your brain to remember it more easily.

This also works for exams- don't cram last-minute instead, do 'little and often'.

 

Teach someone else:  The protégé effect, learning by teaching is a great way to master a new skill or subject. Teaching someone else makes you break a topic into manageable chunks. This is especially useful for auditory and kinaesthetic learners, as explaining or demonstrating your knowledge helps to reinforce your own understanding.

 

Say it out loud:  Talk to yourself! A study from 2010, found speaking aloud can improve memory function. So either speak to a friend or colleague, failing that talk to yourself.

 

Test yourself: 

1. When you answer a question right, you strengthen the memory of that information and your confidence grows.

2. When you get a question wrong, you remember your error. Next time you encounter that question, you’re more likely to recall the correct answer.

 

Start somewhere familiar: When starting a new topic, you might find it easier to understand if you relate that information to something you already know.

For example, if you’re learning a language and you know a few simple words or phrases already, try and use any new vocabulary in conjunction with those terms.

 

Mnemonic devices: These involve creating a pattern or association that helps you to recall specific information. These devices can take the form of just about anything — from songs and poems to acronyms or visualisations.

 

Get a good night's sleep: Research suggests that there’s a direct link between REM sleep, Slow Wave Sleep and the strengthening of memories, so if you’re sleep-deprived, your memory could be negatively impacted.