Plan Your Future Learning

MANY people want to increase their learning but hope that it will happen spontaneously. Those who want to be successful must plan for their success. Many people might not have completed their schooling and may be disappointed. When people have academic credentials, they have the opportunity to make an impact.

Those people who did not complete their formal or informal schooling and wish to continue must know that there are more opportunities for them to continue their learning. However, they must plan to further their education. There is always a sacrifice to be made, and those who are willing to make it will have many successes to talk about.

Learning must not be ignored. Instead, it must be embraced! Education will be challenging, even for educated people, but it must become a lifestyle for many. Education is never restricted to children, since there is no age limit. Many adults ought to continue their education so that they can help their children, seek better employment opportunities, and make a significant impact on society.

There are many benefits associated with learning. Some people may view education as an opportunity for them to show off their knowledge to those who may be less educated. However, increasing knowledge must never be done to impress the competition. Those who have learnt must also encourage and help others to learn, so that there are more knowledgeable people around the world.

Successful people often set goals. They usually identify what they need. Thereafter, time is allocated to those goals. Therefore, if you want to succeed in your learning, you must be willing to set timelines for your studies. When a timeline is set, you will challenge yourself to finish your education within a specific timeframe. Too often, people do not set a timeline, and as time elapses, they lose focus and may quit.

Section B: Formal Learning

Learning is not confined to a classroom. This may be a surprising statement to people who think they must attend school to learn. However, this section of the book examines learning from a formal perspective.

Yes, attending school is very important. Not everyone can learn quickly on their own. There are a few people who can read, learn and apply themselves to many situations without much assistance. However, other people need the aid of a teacher, facilitator, or lecturer to understand certain concepts, theories, etc.

There are many learning institutions within the country. People may be able to choose where they wish to continue their formal learning, or they may have to work with the limited choices that are available to them. Whatever options are available, individuals must take responsibility for learning. Not everyone will be able to attend a recognised learning institution, so they must make the best use of the options available to them.

For many people, formal learning starts at playschool (daycare) and continues through university. A person must determine how far they want to continue in their education. Some people choose not to attend a university and are very successful today.

People attending formal learning institutions will incur some costs, but they must look beyond them, as the rewards will outweigh the sacrifices. Some governments offer free education to people from nursery to university. Those people who would benefit from free education must make greater use of the opportunities provided to them.

Many people may not have time to attend formal classes. Therefore, online learning is still an option for many. People who are working or have busy lives can make great use of online learning. However, they must be disciplined enough to learn through online options. The cost of online education may be lower than attending classes, but it is their responsibility to start and finish their studies.

Most learning institutions will assess people before and during their studies. Assessments will be done via quizzes, monthly tests, end-of-term tests, individual or group presentations, etc. Assessments allow facilitators to better understand students’ knowledge of the taught materials and their ability to apply what was learnt.

Section C: Informal Learning

Even teachers and other educators rely on informal learning to prepare for formal sessions with students. No one can avoid informal learning, since it is all around them. Within the home, they have access to some form of news, whether by purchasing daily newspapers, watching the news on television, etc. Many people have discussions at work after following the news. People must be careful about the news sources they choose, since some can affect their decision-making.

Workplaces may have mentors who help employees become better equipped for the tasks set before them. Smart employees will take every opportunity to glean wisdom from their mentors so that they may operate similarly to their mentors. It is important to be respectful to your mentor, observe their actions and ask interesting questions. Not every mentor will be the same, but employees need to adjust and learn from them.

Educational games and sports also help people learn. For example, people may be involved in Scrabble, which helps them identify words from the letters. Many sports can help people become disciplined and focus on future learning opportunities. Parents sometimes enrol their children in sports, as they may receive a scholarship to further their studies once their performance meets the established requirements.

Many places and activities within people’s communities and countries will help them learn. Visiting historic sites is a rich source of learning. Simply birdwatching may provide good knowledge to people. Learning opportunities often surround many people, but they have to be willing to learn.

Several organisations and government agencies offer learning opportunities for people and communities. For example, there may be health fairs where much important information is shared with attendees. Sometimes, pamphlets, brochures and other informational documents are provided. In panel discussions, many facilitators connect with people and address critical concerns they may have. Attendees are sometimes allowed to ask questions or share comments during panel discussions.

For more information about Geary Reid and his books, please use these contact details: Amazon: amazon.com/author/gearyreid; website: www.reidnlearn.com; Facebook: ReidnLearn; email: info@reidnlearn.com; mobile: 592-645-2240.