Nor are we here to learn mastery of techniques. Think about it. To master a technique is to learn to do it without thinking. If I tell you what to do, I take away an opportunity for you to practice thinking. There is seldom only one way to solve a problem.
Different people think in different ways.
You are free to approach problems any way you wish, so long as your approach is logical. One very important skill you need to develop is that of reading and understanding directions. That includes understanding the context in which directions are given. First, remember, we are not learning specific ways to solve problems. You can pick, within the bounds of logic, the technique you want.