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Be the Boss
Education
of Your Own
By Shassha Loftman
Whether you’ve just graduated high
school, college or university, it’s never
too late to become an adult learner.
The term adult learner was originally
meant for someone in his late 40s and
50s who was re-entering the field of
academia. However, nowadays it has
become synonymous with anyone
who is pursuing higher education. In
higher education the things you are
learning are different and are more
complex, so you can’t assume that old
studying habits will still work or work
to the same degree. Research has
found that children and adults learn
differently and high school teachers
teach differently than professors.
Your learning will be more successful
if you discard any and all preconceived
notions about what post-secondary
education is and isn’t. Open your
mind to the experience before judging
if it’s not for you or that it’s too hard.
To become a successful adult learner,
the first thing to do is to become a
self-directed learner. A self-directed
learner is an individual who takes the
initiative and the responsibility for
what occurs in their learning process.
Individuals select, manage and assess
their own learning activities, which
can be pursued at any time, in any
place and through any means. Use
what is being taught in classes as your
guide, but take your own steps to learn
beyond the classroom instruction.
Take an active role in planning,
monitoring and evaluating your
education because no one will do it
for you. Try to choose subjects and
courses that (a) are most relevant to
the job/profession you are pursuing,
(b) are something relevant to your
personal life and fit in your academic
program. Don’t take courses because
you like the professor or heard it was
an easy course or because your friends
are taking it. And last, but definitely not
least, if you suspect you might have a
learning disability, see your academic
advisor as soon as possible. They can
help you get information on how to
get tested. Don’t suffer in silence.
Some learning disabilities, especially
those affecting organizational skills
and problem-solving abilities, may
not become apparent until later
in an individual’s education as the
demands of the learning environment
increase in complexity. There are even
instances where learning disabilities
are diagnosed in adulthood, after
entering college.
One of the most rewarding things you
can do for yourself academically is to
learn about your own learning style.
Your learning style defines how you
acquire and process information and
has nothing to do with being “smart.”
You can think of it as how your
brain works. Each person has a very
particular way of learning. There are
several different learning styles and
you should know which one or which
combination is yours. To me it is just
as important as knowing what you are
allergic to, because not knowing your
learning style can be a fatal mistake
that affects your academic success.
When you develop an awareness
of how you learn, or how you have
learned best in the past, it will help
you focus your energies in the most
productive way and alert you to areas
where you may need help. Visit your
academic advisor to learn more about
learning styles. This self-reflected
knowledge will not only help you in
school but in your personal life as
well. Using your learning style to your
advantage is one sure way to get your
assignments done and on time while
being stress free. And it’s one big step
towards becoming a BOSS!
BOSS MAGAZINE LIFESTYLE
WINTER 2013
BOSS MAGAZINE
106
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