Learning How to Learn: Pathways for Transformation
by Thupten Tsewang
Introduction
One of my earliest memories from primary school dates back to Grade One. Curiously, it is a recollection that has never faded. I was promoted to Grade One just a few months after starting kindergarten—likely due to both my age and my aptitude as a sharp student. I mention this incident because it relates directly to the theme of learning explored in this article.
In the early days following my unexpected promotion to Grade One, I excelled in nearly all areas of my schooling except for one domain, the name of which has since escaped my memory. I was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety during this particular class, primarily because I did not have the textbook for that domain. Every morning, I would make a dramatic scene at home to avoid going to school—crying, hiding, and running away. One day, my late father took me to school and spoke with the teacher about the situation. They searched diligently and eventually found an old, worn-out textbook buried in a sack in the storeroom, with some pages missing and torn at the end. From that day on, I became a more content and confident student, eager to learn. Reflecting on it now, I realise that the old, torn textbook provided the context for learning that helped me develop the qualities and strategies needed to excel in all aspects of learning.
I believe that learning is the cornerstone of growth and development, a perpetual journey of acquiring knowledge, honing skills, and gaining insights that enrich our lives in profound ways. It transcends the confines of classrooms and textbooks, permeating every aspect of our existence, from the mundane to the extraordinary. At its essence, learning is the process of discovery, exploration, reflection, and assimilation. It involves not merely the accumulation of facts and information but the cultivation of understanding, perspective, and wisdom. Whether through formal education, empirical experience, or the wisdom passed down through generations, learning shapes our perceptions, informs our decisions, and moulds our identities. In today's dynamic world, learning takes on new dimensions, propelled by technological advancements, societal changes, and the ever-expanding horizons of human knowledge. It empowers us to navigate the complexities of the modern world, confront challenges with resilience, and embrace opportunities for growth.
Learning is also a deeply personal and transformative journey, shaped by our unique experiences, aspirations, and innate curiosity. Throughout history, individuals have embarked on remarkable journeys of learning and self-discovery, leaving an indelible mark on the world. Mahatma Gandhi's transformative tour of India, during which he witnessed firsthand the plight of the marginalised and oppressed, inspired his lifelong commitment to nonviolent resistance and social justice. Milarepa, the revered Tibetan yogi and poet, embarked on a journey of hardship, overcoming the consequences of black magic that he practised to avenge his relatives for the wrongs they inflicted on him and his family, and practised austere meditation to remove his ill deeds and attain enlightenment and wisdom in a single lifetime. Similarly, the humble childhood of APJ Abdul Kalam, growing up in a small village in India, did not deter him from pursuing his dreams of becoming a scientist and serving as the President of India, inspiring millions with his vision and leadership.
Reflecting on the biographies of such personalities, I think learning is not merely a means to an end but a lifelong pursuit, a journey of self-discovery and reflection that enriches our lives and expands our horizons. It is through learning that we unlock the boundless potential within us, embrace new possibilities, and chart our course towards a brighter and more fulfilling future.
Knowledge
Turning to ‘knowledge’, it is the foundation of understanding, the key to unlocking new perspectives and insights into the world around us. It encompasses a vast array of information, concepts, and ideas, ranging from the tangible to the abstract. The process of learning helps us acquire knowledge, which itself is a journey of exploration and discovery, a process that involves seeking out information, engaging with diverse sources, and making connections between ideas. Knowledge can be acquired through various means, including direct experience, formal education, reading, and logical thinking. Hence, the purpose of acquiring knowledge is to enhance understanding, empower individuals, and enable them to navigate the complexities of the world with confidence and clarity. It provides the necessary foundation for personal growth, professional development, and intellectual enrichment, enabling individuals to make meaningful contributions to their family, community, and nation as a whole.
Learning & Knowledge
It’s intriguing to delve into the relationship between learning and knowledge. Both are deeply intertwined, each influencing and enhancing the other in a dynamic interplay. Learning is the process through which we acquire knowledge, while knowledge serves as the foundation and fuel for further learning. Learning facilitates the acquisition of knowledge by providing the means through which information and insights are gathered. Through learning, we engage with innovative ideas, understand concepts, and expand our intellectual horizons. Conversely, knowledge enriches the learning process by providing context, structure, and depth. It offers a repository of information that learners can draw upon to make connections, gain insights, and generate innovative ideas. The more knowledge we accumulate, the more we can build upon, refine, and apply it in different contexts. This relationship is cyclical and reciprocal.
Intelligence
It is not wrong to say that learning and knowledge drive each other throughout our lives. But the crucial question is why we need to engage in the process of learning in the first place. I believe one of the true purposes of learning is to enhance intelligence through the acquisition of knowledge. Learning involves more than just gathering facts; it is about using that knowledge to sharpen our cognitive abilities. Knowledge alone is not enough; it must be applied in ways that challenge and develop our intellect. Effective learning ensures that the information we acquire is relevant and stimulates our logical thinking and skills. This ongoing process of refining and applying knowledge is what drives intellectual growth and adaptive capability. By focusing on how knowledge enhances our intelligence, learning transforms information into a tool for deeper understanding and more effective decision-making.
Skills
Once we are in the constant mode of learning, acquiring knowledge that sharpens our intelligence, the next question concerns the purpose of this exercise. The point that connects the dots is putting all of them into action. However, we must ensure that such actions are executed well; this is where the role of skills comes in. Skills transform knowledge and intelligence into effective action. Unlike knowledge, which involves understanding concepts, and intelligence, which encompasses cognitive abilities, skills are the practical application of both. They enable us to perform tasks with precision and efficiency, profoundly impacting our personal, professional, and societal lives. The acquisition of skills is a dynamic process that requires practice, feedback, and empirical learning. By following certain processes repeatedly, our abilities are refined so that we can bridge the gap between knowledge, intelligence, and action, enabling meaningful contributions in various spheres of our lives.
True Potential
Once we acquire the required skills through the process of learning, we need to ensure that our actions are positive and complement our acquired knowledge by sharpening our intelligence. These actions can be further refined by exploring the true potential that we all possess. Exploring our true potential involves connecting learning, acquiring knowledge, understanding their relationship, recognising the purpose of learning, and acquiring skills. True potential is tied to our innate longing for happiness and a fearless mindset. It is a valuable treasure within us, waiting to be unveiled. Achieving this requires continuous learning that sharpens our intelligence and guides us in acquiring the skills needed to execute actions that bring lasting happiness and fearlessness for ourselves and others. This journey involves overcoming obstacles and challenges, navigable through resilience and a growth mindset. Resilience helps us recover from setbacks, while a growth mindset fosters the belief that our abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. By embracing these strategies, we can tap into our true potential, leading to a more fulfilling and impactful life.
Learning How to Learn
Building on the foundations of learning, acquiring knowledge, and developing skills, learning how to learn is the next crucial step. It involves understanding the process of learning itself and developing strategies for continuous growth and improvement. This process-driven approach ensures that learning is efficient and effective.
In a rapidly changing world, knowing how to learn is far more important than knowing what to learn. The specific knowledge and skills required may evolve, but the ability to learn and adapt remains constant. By focusing on the ‘how,’ individuals can navigate new challenges and opportunities with confidence.
Learning how to learn is essential for actualising our true potential. It enables us to quickly adapt to new situations and continue improving our abilities throughout our lives. This skill is particularly valuable in today’s demanding environment, where continuous learning is key to personal and professional success.
Significance
Understanding how to learn is pivotal for personal growth and development. One key aspect is identifying your own learning style. By recognising whether we learn best through visual aids, auditory information, direct experiences, or a combination of these, we can develop strategies that enhance our learning efficiency.
Learning how to learn also fosters greater self-awareness and confidence. As we become more adept at identifying our strengths and weaknesses, we can tailor our learning approaches to better suit our needs. This self-awareness not only improves learning outcomes but also builds confidence in our abilities.
Moreover, focusing on the process of learning rather than solely on the results helps cultivate a growth mindset. Emphasising progress over perfection encourages a continuous learning attitude, where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth rather than failures.
Enabler
To truly master the art of learning, one must understand the foundations that support it. A key element is ‘cross-pollination’, which involves finding interconnections in everything around us. Our survival depends on a multitude of sources, from natural resources to human creations. In learning, these connections are vital, occurring at both gross and subtle levels, often unnoticed. The concept of learning how to learn equips us to recognise these subtle interdependencies. Even challenging interactions, such as with difficult people or perceived enemies, offer lessons in resilience, patience, empathy, and compassion. Learning in isolation limits our potential, whereas recognising connections across various domains, communities, and nature sharpens our intelligence. This approach helps us avoid pursuing skills that lead to unfulfilling actions, instead guiding us towards true happiness and fearlessness.
Another aspect which strengthens our approach to learning is the emphasis on contextualisation over replacement. This ensures the integration of diverse knowledge systems, viewing all environments as enablers of learning and drawing strength from specific contexts, circumstances, and communities.
Aesthetics forms another cornerstone of learning how to learn. Aesthetics is not merely about beauty; it fosters a profound awareness of our interconnectedness with the universe, shaping how we interact with the world with an altruistic mindset rather than individual gain. This mindset fuels curiosity and appreciation for all that life offers, encouraging us to acknowledge the truth, beauty, and value in our learning journey.
Person of Substance
As we have explored in this article, the approach, process, or mindset of learning how to learn will help us acquire knowledge, sharpen our intelligence, and develop the necessary skills to perform positive actions, ultimately actualising our true potential. The question then arises: what will this true potential bring forth? I believe that such potential will help us become a person of substance—someone who does the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. But how can we ensure that the 'right thing' is truly right? Now that I think is a continuous and constant endeavour which can be propelled through the art of learning how to learn.
A person of substance is characterised by introspection, a growth mindset, resilience, open-mindedness, the ability to inspire, and strong values. These watermarks are developed through intentional learning and a mindset focused on learning how to learn. This involves setting clear goals, creating a structured roadmap, and engaging in continuous self-reflection and feedback.
A well-crafted learning roadmap encompasses one's backstory, goals, necessary skills, processes, watermarks, a timeline, and indicators of success. By adhering to this roadmap, individuals systematically advance their learning journey, ensuring alignment with the purpose of becoming a person of substance. Such individuals contribute impeccably to themselves, their family, community, nation, and the world.