{"id":9919,"date":"2023-02-15T16:02:18","date_gmt":"2023-02-15T16:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mytutor.co.uk\/blog\/?p=9919"},"modified":"2023-02-15T16:02:19","modified_gmt":"2023-02-15T16:02:19","slug":"6-top-takeaways-from-how-to-learn-mytutor-with-barbara-oakley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mytutor.co.uk\/blog\/parents\/6-top-takeaways-from-how-to-learn-mytutor-with-barbara-oakley\/","title":{"rendered":"6 things your teen should know to become a better learner<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that how you learn is just as important as what you learn? According to expert educator and author, Dr Barbara Oakley, it\u2019s possible to develop some simple learning habits that will help you become a better learner. And work faster and smarter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From the brain\u2019s different learning modes to memory techniques and dealing with procrastination \u2013 the methods that she\u2019s shared across her books and courses have helped millions of people. Her Coursera course, \u2018Learning how to learn\u2019 is one of the most popular online courses in the world. Many of the 2.5 million people who have taken it say that it improved their learning for good (including our CEO Bertie Hubbard, who might be her number-one fan).<\/span><\/p>\n

So, to help you boost their study habits and help them become a better learner, Dr Barbara shares her 6 top takeaways. Plus, you can watch her helpful webinar below.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. It’s good to be a slow learner<\/h2>\n

Yes, you read that right. Although there are some learners out there who seem to absorb new information like a sponge, that\u2019s not the only way to succeed. \u201cSome people are really fast learners and they can run to the finish line really fast,\u201d says Dr Barbara. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOther people are more like hikers \u2013 they can get to the finish line, but it\u2019s a lot slower. As they\u2019re walking, they can really think about their experience. In some ways this is far richer and deeper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So, although it might feel frustrating when you don\u2019t get new concepts right away, the process of carefully listening and taking the time to really get your head around a subject can mean that new knowledge really sticks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Poor memory can be a sign of creativity<\/h2>\n

Just like with quick learners, there are some clever clogs who can easily remember lots of facts. But, taking the time to fix new info in your brain can mean it\u2019s more likely to stay in there for good. If you have a bad memory, you just need to spend a little more time or develop techniques like songs or rhymes to make sure the information passes into your long-term memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen information falls out of your brain, if you get distracted while learning, something else comes in,\u201d says Dr Barbara. \u201cThese individuals are often very creative.\u201d So, the flipside of a poor memory can be creative thinking \u2013 an awesome skill that can work for you in plenty of other ways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Being a genius is overrated<\/h2>\n

What Barbara means by this is that always being right can lead to a poorer learning attitude. Know-it-alls can become less inquisitive and sometimes, less able to consider different perspectives and points of view.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem with geniuses is they\u2019re so used to learning quickly, always being right, that they jump to conclusions and don\u2019t look carefully at what\u2019s going on in the real situation,\u201d says Dr Barabara.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In terms of success at school, this wisdom from Barbara can help us see that a huge part of academic success comes from a healthy attitude towards learning. Rather than an innate ability that you either have or you don\u2019t.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. There’s no such thing as (not being) a ‘Maths person<\/h2>\n

Lots of people think they can\u2019t do Maths, and leave it at that. But this attitude can sometimes be a barrier to the subject \u2013\u00a0and all the other career pathways that come with it. \u201cWhen my daughters said Maths just wasn\u2019t for them, I suggesting adding 20 minutes of extra Maths a day \u2013 for 10 years! And it paid off \u2013 one is fulfilling her dream of becoming a doctor and the other is completing a PhD in Data science,\u201d says Dr Barbara.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For students up to GCSE level, Barbara recommends the learning platform <\/span>Kumon<\/span><\/a> for online Maths courses. <\/span>MyTutor online tutors<\/span><\/a> also have the recent exam experience to help your teen get the best grades you can.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Asking for help early and often is key<\/h2>\n

\u201cEvery day when you start running into a challenge, try to get someone to lend you a hand. You\u2019ll see that as you become better at it, you won\u2019t need so much hand-holding,\u201d says Dr Barbara.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s a teacher, tutor, older sibling or parent, encourage your teen to shake off any embarrassment and get into the habit of asking for help. This will make them a better learner \u2013 especially if they have deadlines like coursework submissions or exams. The further in advance of these dates that they get help, the higher their chance of reaching their full potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable<\/h2>\n

There are always challenges in learning. Try to encourage your teen not to be afraid of what they have ahead of them. Teens \u2013 and all learners \u2013 shouldn\u2019t label themselves as either totally amazing or (most importantly) not smart enough to achieve their goals. Determination, an openness to being wrong and learning to tolerate discomfort \u2013 all with a positive attitude to challenges \u2013 will set them up to become a better learner. And help them do their best at school and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Look for more inspiration? You can watch the full webinar, \u2018How to Learn: MyTutor with Barbara Oakley<\/a>\u2019 below.<\/span><\/p>\n