Reflections on Wasted Learning Time: Lessons for Efficacious Learning
As I reflect on my learning experiences, there were moments when I felt I had wasted time on activities that did not serve a clear purpose. However, upon closer inspection, I realized that learning, in any form, provides value and can be a catalyst for growth, even if the immediate application seems obscure.
Learning in a Fun and Purposeful Manner
For instance, learning to play hockey, skate, chess, bridge, and even the "Labyrinth" game were all enjoyable activities that, while seemingly frivolous at the time, also provided valuable skills. My experience with the "Labyrinth" game, for example, improved my hand and brain coordination. Most importantly, we managed to reverse the directions and controls, effectively making everything “do the opposite.” This taught me adaptability and creativity, which are invaluable in any field.
Learning Drafting: A Pointless Task with Future Benefits
Another example is the drafting class in Junior High School, which seemed pointless at the time. However, this class provided the foundational knowledge that later led to a lucrative and exciting career. Sometimes, learning doesn't reveal its full value until later in life, but the initial knowledge is never wasted. It serves as a building block for future endeavors.
Learning Arabic: Decoding the Qur’an
My experience learning Arabic is particularly enlightening. While I didn't use it for immediate travel to the Middle East, I was able to leverage this knowledge to read the Qur’an and 40 parallel translations. This process revealed to me that the Qur’an, without the context of the Hadith, is almost entirely incoherent and meaningless. The Hadith, which offer context and authoritative guidance in Islam, play a crucial role in understanding the religion. This learning was not wasted; it served as a critical tool for understanding the religion's true essence.
Improving Learning Efficiency
More problematic for me was the time spent learning things less efficiently than I later learned to do better. One such example is teaching PowerShell. Initially, I struggled to impart this knowledge due to not knowing key commands like Help, Get-Command, and Get-Member. However, with the right techniques, PowerShell can be taught much faster and easier. This experience highlights the importance of learning how to learn effectively.
The Indispensability of Learning
It is often said that no time is ever wasted learning something. The human brain is not a fixed container with finite storage; rather, it is a dynamic system that can continually adapt and grow. Learning, even if it seems pointless initially, provides a broad range of possibilities in the future. Moreover, the act of learning itself is inherently beneficial. It fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a broader perspective on the world.
Utilizing Learning for Future Projects
Another key factor is the ability to adapt the knowledge gained to new and different projects. My experience with electricity is a prime example. Spending a year studying electricity, even after dropping out of the electrical field, proved to be beneficial when introducing electronic locks in future projects. I was able to advise my team on making better connections, which was immensely helpful.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the main takeaway is to learn well and adapt that knowledge to various situations. Whatever you learn is valuable and not wasted. Embrace each learning opportunity, as it can lead to unexpected growth and success in the future. Whether it's a fun pastime, a practical skill, or an in-depth knowledge base, each learning experience contributes to a richer and more versatile mind.
By improving our learning efficiency and ensuring that we can apply our knowledge across different scenarios, we can maximize the benefits of every learning experience. In the grand scheme of life, the time spent learning is an investment in personal and professional success.