How To Work New Learning Into Your Daily Schedule

Hi there, and welcome back!

In my last post I hope I convinced you to take up a new project this October, something that will really challenge and engage you. I mentioned learning another language as particularly beneficial, but anything you truly want to do is the best choice because your enthusiasm will keep you going. Researchers have found we benefit from almost any new cognitive challenge—learning a new instrument, mastering quilting, learning to play action video games, becoming a skilled photographer.

But then the big question: how do you fit this new project into what is probably already quite a busy schedule? Here are three tips:

1. Use what you’ve learned about your chronotype (see August post) to advantage. If you took one of the quizzes, you’ll know whether you’re a lark—best able to learn new things at the beginning of the day—or an owl—more likely to take in new information later in the day. Schedule time for your new adventure accordingly.

2. Use the ‘little and often’ rule. I teach this to students. You’re more likely to retain what you learn if you take in new information in smaller chunks. So instead of, say, setting aside one evening a week, schedule 15 minutes each evening to work on your project. This is known as ‘paced learning’. When students learn in this way they generally receive higher marks than when they try to learn everything the night before a test, an approach known as cramming.

3. Create cues for bite-sized learning. I invite you to be creative! To help, here are two examples: Say you’re learning Russian, and the current topic is names of different foods. Write each one on a small card and write the translation on the back. Put your bundle of cards in your handbag, or take them with you on a dog walk. Then whenever you’re waiting in a queue to pay or your dog wants a long sniff, select a card, read the English side, and see if you can remember the Russian equivalent—or vice-versa of course.

   And here’s the second example: imagine you’re learning to use a digital camera. Print out a detailed photo of the camera with its parts named and post copies around the house—on your bathroom mirror, on the fridge, etc. At first you’ll stop and notice the image, and perhaps learn a bit more each time. But even after you get used to the image and think you’re not noticing it, you will—and you’ll continue learning as a result.

Challenge yourself! Not only will your self-esteem rise, your brain will thank you.

Until next time,

Linda