Mix it Up - or Not - Learn to Love Learning

HAVE FUN WITH IT!  Variety can be engaging... Try different things.  When you do, you reinforce learning and living.  Some of  learning comes by doing, some can come by reading, watching or listening.  Just be sure to take the time to reflect on the experience and draw your own conclusions.

Physically visit your library or bookstore.  Enrich your life.  Expand your horizons. Read, learn and test the waters. Getting the benefit of others' experiences can add confidence and assuredness and when the author(s) share challenges, they can offer insight and preparation as well.  Just make it a point to enjoy the process.  Dr. Nel Noddings wrote in, HAPPINESS AND EDUCATION, 2004,

"The best homes and schools are happy places. The adults in them recognize that the highest aim of education - and life - is happiness... Happy children growing in their understanding of what happiness is, seize their educational opportunities with delight, and they will contribute to the happiness of others." 

I found this quote in a sometimes controversial yet compelling collection of essays and poems from a book called THE LOVE OF THE FIFTH PARADIGM, 2010.  Reserving your right and privilege of reflection, introspection and interpretation is usually a wise decision. 

To be sure there are many ways to learn and entertain.  Video games, books, audios and videos/movies and sports and social activities and even work offer unique and shared benefits.  HAVE FUN WITH IT ALL!  Poise yourself for better living by finding ways to enjoy yourself as you learn.  Put a little bit of your style in your learning.  If you like interacting with people, form study groups.  If you are visual, add videos to your learning.  If you are a hands on person, include activities that teach, to your reading.  Need to find strategies for doing this?  Check out your local library or bookstore... and Youtube... Do you even have a library card?  No problem, you don't need one to visit and a card is usually easy to obtain.

[ ] Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net [ ]

Use all of Your Strength

Young man tries to move a boulder.  Boulder does not budge.  Mom asks, "Are you using all of your strength?" Young man lowers his shoulder, braces his foot against the ground and presses... No movement... Mother asks again, "Are you using all of your strength?"  Son, takes a deep breath, hunkers down in what might be reminiscent of a football or rugby position and leaning against the rock pushes with all his might bearly budging the big rock.  Mother asks,  "Are you using all of your strength?" A bit irritated the young man says, "YES MOM, I am using all of my strength!" Mother replies, "No you haven't.  You did not ask for help."

 Sometimes we act as if we are independent islands, solely and wholly responsible, or, not at all responsible ("not my problem").  The truth is, we are all connected and it serves us to use all of the resources available or at least some of the resources available.  Do you use your Academic Center?  Can you use the internet differently? 

Aside from your favorite music video, Youtube has many study resources, tips and tricks available.  You may be surprised at what comes up when you go to youtube or google and do a search for "Study tips" or "Math tips."  Want a chuckle down as you buckle down to learn, do a search on "Math Rap."  Resources abound, just verify with your professor or advisor the accuracy or what you view and plow ahead. 

Skype and ooVoo make it possible for study groups to gather together virtually from all over the country, perhaps the world over,  surely you can connect with a classmate.  You can have fun while getting your work done.  Add it to what you already do.  Most students just don't put enough time in to begin with to be maximally successful.  Next time you surf the net, remember your classes.

Go to your or another college website and cruise the resources.  Again, do an internet search.  It is amazing how many free lectures you can find when you look.  "itunes" seems to be a favorite medium for professors.  I am not saying you can get free credit but it is great to be able to capitalize on lectures from colleges and universities including Ivy league institutions.  Incidentally, I am not saying you can't find "free" or low cost credits either.  Ever heard of the CLEP Test? You might want to look into it.

Clifton McKnight is an educator, counselor, personal coach, author and keynote speaker. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Visit his site at www.motivision.net