In this series post, I will share my experience on how to learn effectively. I have been self-studying for over 14 years now. I passed my first IT certification when I was 18 years old, and since then, I have explored many different ways to learn more effectively.
It’s important to understand that everyone learns differently, so what works for me may not work for you. However, I will provide you with personal opinions and ideas that you can try out to improve your learning experience. In this first post, we will focus on one very important topic when it comes to learning, motivation.
Motivation
Studying should be fun. Without motivation, learning will become very difficult. If you find yourself studying topics again and again that you find very boring, you should ask yourself if you’re on track.
For example, when learning Python, there will always be some topics that are more interesting than others. However, if you have no interest in Python or programming at all, it might mean that you are off track and should ask yourself why you are even studying it in the first place.
There are two types of motivation: inner motivation and outer motivation. If you are studying a topic that is just boring, but you are doing it to get a raise for example, it is a form of outer motivation. Outer motivation-driven studying will not be effective if you lack inner motivation.
If you are studying a topic just out of pure interest, it comes from inner motivation. Learning will become much easier. No one has to motivate you to study it, even if you get a raise or not.
As an example from my current situation, I am working with container orchestration and the cloud. I really like working with it and love the technology. However, my long-term goal is to become a software developer. So, I am studying Java at night. No one is expecting me to do it, I just do it because of inner motivation.
Certifications
Studying for certifications can be a powerful motivator, at least that’s what drove me when I first embarked on my self-learning journey. But as my interests have expanded, I’ve found that I’m not as motivated by certifications as I once was. There are simply too many other fascinating topics that I want to explore that aren’t covered by a certificate. However, if there’s a certification that aligns with a topic that I’m passionate about, then I think it’s a great opportunity. It provides both inner motivation and a form of outer validation.
But it’s important to note that if you find the process of taking exams and earning certifications to be stressful, then it may not be the best fit for you. On the other hand, once you’ve taken a few exams, that stress often dissipates, so it can be worth pushing through and trying to overcome.
Currently, I am delving into the world of Java programming. There’s a certification called Oracle Certified Professional Java Developer that I think would be fun to achieve one day. But, it’s important to note that it’s not the primary reason why I’m studying Java. My main drive is my love for the language and my desire to become a proficient software developer.
The Importance of Fundamentals
Learning the fundamentals is crucial. Everything else builds upon that foundation. For example, if you don’t have a solid understanding of networking, it will be difficult to learn about distributed systems or any other advanced topic. Fundamentals may not always be the most exciting subject to study, but try to find resources that you enjoy. My motivation for focusing on fundamentals is that understanding them will make it much easier to grasp the more advanced topics I am interested in. And, to be honest, I find the details of TCP/IP quite fascinating. I see knowledge as a pyramid, with the fundamentals at the base. To build a strong and stable structure, it’s essential to start with a solid foundation.
Summary
Thank you for reading the first part of this series on learning how to learn. In my experience, motivation has been the key factor in determining success or failure in my studies. I believe that it’s best to study subjects that genuinely interest you, and while studying for certifications can be motivating, it may not be the best fit for everyone. I also emphasize the importance of mastering the fundamentals before diving into more advanced topics. I hope you found this article helpful, and please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn with any questions or comments.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickard-korkko/