Hack Your Learning: An Easy-to-Follow Guide to Learn Efficiently

By: Arnes Putri & Joana

Previously published by LingoTalk Indonesia

Do you ever feel like your effort to learn or study something does not match the result you get? If yes, then maybe it's time for you to reflect and hack your learning process. In status quo, many educators organize all learning contexts in the same way, assuming that all learners have the same learning style. This is why many students are stuck with ineffective studying methods and cannot explore their maximum potential. However, the good news is that you can follow several ways to improve the situation and make your learning more fruitful (and easier!) in the long run.

Your first homework is to get to know yourself well. According to Gardner's multiple intelligence theory, every person is gifted with different types of intelligence: mathematical-logical, verbal-linguistic, music-rhythmic, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, visual-spatial, naturalist, and existential intelligence. Everyone possesses each of these bits of intelligence, though some bits are usually more recognizable than the others. All of these types of intelligence are equal, so it is encouraged that you find your strength and weakness and accept it as it is, for only in that way you can tailor your learning method to best suit the way your brain works.

After knowing your capacity, you now need to find your learning style. There are four main types of learning styles according to the VARK model; visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinaesthetic. This learning style model, to some degree, is related to the type of intelligence. These learning styles reflect individual’s preferred way of learning, while Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory reflects our potentials. For example, a student with visual-spatial intelligence also tends to have a visual learning style and therefore is most productive when materials are presented in pictures or diagrams. By knowing and accepting both facts, you can tailor the studying method that is the most effective and enjoyable for you. Like in our example of the visual type, you can incorporate color codes in your notes or create figures or diagrams when memorizing or understanding concepts.

The next step is self-motivation. To keep on improving, you need to continue practicing and never quit. The best teacher that can motivate you is yourself, and you can do this by focusing on the process and your growth. Many students believe that intelligence is something that is fixed. They think no matter hard they learn, they would receive pretty much the same results; thus, they lack motivation to learn. Have you ever heard of the saying, 'if you have to try hard, then you don’t have the ability to do it?’ In actuality, learning and repetition changes the brain’s neural network connections. This will later lead to an increase in your ability to perform. In other words, learning can, in fact, can get you better results.

Other than knowing that your hard work is substantial, inserting your own personal meaningfulness in what you learn will also motivate you to devote more efforts to it. You can practice meaningful learning by trying to connect new information to those you already have in the storage, preferably the ones that are personally meaningful and could incite emotional reactions. In this way, it will be easier for you to recall that new piece of information under any circumstances.

Last, you need to step up your game holistically. Your success in learning is not determined solely by your cognitive ability. Your physical, emotional, and spiritual condition are also likely to influence the output of your learning. That's why you need to make sure that all aspects of your surrounding could support effective learning. For instance, you need to make sure your body moves enough during the day to increase the number of oxygen that goes to your brain. Learning new languages is one of the best practices you could do to help hack your learning effectiveness. Being fluent in foreign languages does not make you more intelligent than others who don't, but the process of acquiring new languages requires you to implement all the steps mentioned above that could help to improve your learning effectiveness in general.

In conclusion, knowing your type of intelligence, learning style, and ability to motivate yourself is crucial in making your learning more effective. Learning new languages could and would help sharpen your ability in all aspects involved. So, are you ready to hack your learning now?

References

Arnold, J., & Fonseca, M. C. (2004). Multiple Intelligence Theory and Foreign Language Learning: A Brain-based Perspective. International Journal of English Studies, 4, 114–136.

Fleming, N. D., & Mills, C. (1992). Not Another Inventory, Rather a Catalyst for Reflection. To Improve the Academy, 11(1), 137–155. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2334-4822.1992.tb00213.x