Richard Cooper, business development manager at The London Institute of Banking & Finance, shares advice on how to make your learning stick.
Like most paraplanners you may be keen to keep up with trends, technical detail, how to use software and the latest financial planning concepts. But do you ever wonder what might be the most effective way to do this?
Knowing how to learn well is not something that happens overnight. Having an awareness of the best strategies can help you get the most out of the time you spend studying – whether that’s for a new qualification or continuing professional development (CPD).
It’s not always about the speed of learning. It’s just as important to be able to accurately remember what you learn, be able to recall it later, and be able to apply it to a variety of situations.
Improve your memory
It’s well known that good lifestyle choices can help your memory and brain stay healthy – along with the rest of you! For example, when you’re studying it’s important to get enough exercise and sleep.
However, there are also several other tricks that will help you remember what you learn and concentrate, such as:
- eliminating distractions so you can focus on what you are learning
- structuring your learning time
- organising the information you’re learning so it’s easier to access and remember
- using ‘elaborative rehearsal’ – that is, when you learn something new, spend a few moments describing it to yourself in your own words
- using visual aids like flowcharts, graphs, and charts, and
- reading the information you are studying out loud.
Combining one or more of these will help make learning more focused and fun. Over time, these techniques will also improve your memory.
Keep learning new things
Research shows that the brain can produce new brain cells, a process known as neurogenesis. However, many of these cells will die unless a person engages in some type of effortful learning. In short, the brain needs exercise.
By learning new things, these cells are kept alive and incorporated into brain circuits that remain active. If you want what you’ve just learned to stay in your head, keep practising and repeating it.
Learn in different ways
You may have a preferred learning style. Most of us do. However, one of the best ways to learn is to try doing it in a different way.
For example, instead of just listening to a podcast, which involves auditory learning, find a way to repeat the information both verbally and visually. This might involve describing what you learned to a friend, taking notes, or drawing a mind map. By combining these approaches, you’re cementing the knowledge in your mind.
Learn in short sharp bursts
The process of returning for brief sessions over an extended period is one of the best ways to learn efficiently and effectively. It’s known as ‘distributed practice’.
So, instead of trying to cram all your learning into a few long study sessions, try brief, focused sessions, with plenty of breaks.
Build on previous learning
Another fantastic way to become a more effective learner is to use relational learning, which involves relating new information to things that you already know.
For example, if you’re learning a new software system, you might think about how it relates to the software and processes you already use and what you know about them.
Test your knowledge
While it may seem that spending more time studying is one of the best ways to maximise your learning, research has demonstrated that taking tests helps you remember what you’ve learned – even if it wasn’t covered on the test.
This phenomenon, known as the testing effect, suggests that spending time retrieving information from memory helps you remember that information long term.
Get practical experience
For many paraplanners, learning typically involves reading technical bulletins, watching webinars, listening to podcasts, attending technical sessions, or doing research online. While seeing information and then writing it down is important, putting new knowledge and skills into practice can be one of the best ways to embed learning.
If you can, take the opportunity to apply your new learning to a client case you’re working on or have worked on recently. You may need to ask a colleague or supervisor to check your understanding of what you’ve applied, to avoid any mistakes being made.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Research suggests that when we make mistakes as we learn, we learn and remember more. This is especially true if you spend some time correcting the mistake and examine how you arrived at the incorrect answer.
This strategy can help foster critical thinking skills and make you more adaptable in learning situations that require you to change your mind.
Finding the right learning techniques
Becoming a more effective learner can take time, and it always takes practice and determination to establish new habits.
If you want to learn more effectively, it’s important to explore different learning techniques. That way you’ll find the ones that suit you best. Why not start by trying just a few of these tips to see which work for you?
This article was first published in the November 2022 issue of Professional Paraplanner.
