Script

Learning, for many people, beings at a young age. For me, it began when I was just a baby where my parents read books to me, introduced me to counting with blocks, and taught me basic life skills that I would need for my future. Over the years, my learning style has changed from getting everything done in a timely manner, to getting everything done the day before it’s due. Yes, you heard that correctly, I am one of the biggest procrastinators you will ever meet. The amount of stress and anxiety is definitely not worth it, but I seem to learn and work better under pressure. This is because the pressure allows me to focus on what I need to get done.

Focusing is the one thing that will continue to help me learn best. I usually like to work independently because I am able to focus my thoughts betters, as well as formulate my own opinions. However, I also like to learn in focused, small groups. If there is too much chatter about random things in small groups, I will find myself getting anxious as I am not learning anything or getting anything accomplished. If I am in a small group that is focused on the assignment or task, I will feel like I am truly learning and getting things done. Working in small groups allows me to hear everyone else’s thought and opinions, which helps to make my learning more meaningful as I am able to hear ideas different from my own.

Another learning style that helps to keep me focused is learning visually and kinesthetically. Learning visually allows me to see what is happening and how it should be done. If I am not being shown what I am learning, my mind will go in a million different directions, and I will become frustrated. Therefore, I need to watch someone model how something is done in order for me to learn effectively. Although being shown what to do helps me learn well, I also need to be doing hands-on things at the same time. This helps me to become more engaged with what I am learning, and helps to keep me focused.

Speaking of hands-on, the last way I learn best is by writing things down using pencil and paper. I have noticed over the years that I must take notes with pencil and paper to help me learn and retain information. Something about taking notes on a computer just doesn’t do it for me. When writing something, I am doing it in my own style. It also takes me more time to write, so I am absorbing that information as I go. This helps me to learn better as I can remember the things that I have written down and can visually see everything in my head. Writing helps me to focus very intently and I become very concentrated. Writing also helps me to organize my thoughts in a way that I like and is useful to me.

As you can see, learning takes on several different meanings in my life, but having a focused mindset is key. With focus, I become resilient and determined and can learn successfully.