Why Do You Learn?
Tags: learning, beginners, productivity
Published: 2020-03-22 22:51:38

---
title: Why Do You Learn?
published: true
description: 
tags: #learning #beginners #productivity 
cover_image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1554415707-6e8cfc93fe23?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&ixid=eyJhcHBfaWQiOjEyMDd9&auto=format&fit=crop&w=1950&q=80
---
Like many of us, I've drowned in resources to learn new skills or improve existing ones. From [Udemy](https://www.udemy.com/), to documentation, to [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com). But with all the resources out there, it makes me think - how much are you retaining, revisiting, or actually absorbing? 

I ask this because for myself, a college and bootcamp ([Flatiron School](https://www.flatironschool.com)) graduate, I found that I struggled a lot with retaining what I've been taught. Specifically with bootcamp, learning and grasping programming concepts definitely was something I struggled with (and still do!). The usual action taken from this is to keep studying and practising, so that's what I did. Like they say, "Practice makes perfect". 

Currently I've got 9 Udemy courses (2 complete), I've joined the [Zero to Mastery Academy](https://academy.zerotomastery.io/?affcode=441520_m2x62hd7), connected with an amazing mentor, purchased helpful books ([The Well-Grounded Rubyist](https://www.amazon.com/Well-Grounded-Rubyist-David-Black/dp/1617291692/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1D6VSPPVKTG83&dchild=1&keywords=well+grounded+rubyist&qid=1584912492&sprefix=the+well+grounded%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1), [Eloquent JavaScript](https://www.amazon.com/Eloquent-JavaScript-3rd-Introduction-Programming/dp/1593279507/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3LSS4KN20CS4J&dchild=1&keywords=eloquent+javascript&qid=1584912527&sprefix=eloquent%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-1)), and I feel like I'm doing everything I should be - but I still have trouble. I get it, programming isn't easy, [imposter syndrome](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impostor_syndrome) is real, and I'm not the only person who feels this way and is taking all these measures to improve. 

So why is learning such a struggle? I'll admit, I've improved my learning techniques since being a Flatiron School student. They really do a great job at teaching how to learn, understand your thought process, and dig for solutions :raised_hands:. But what I've learned recently through the [Learning to Learn - Efficient Learning](https://academy.zerotomastery.io/p/learning-to-learn-efficient-learning-zero-to-mastery-blueprint?affcode=441520_m2x62hd7) course on the Zero to Mastery platform is that since childhood we've been trained to learn to pass, not to understand. This really set off a :bulb: in my head. Wow - it's true, all these years the goal has been to learn to get a good grade, but what happens after that grade? Most of what I've learned in college or high school died after passing a course I crammed for the night before. I find that (for myself at least) understanding how I've been learning for all these years is the first step to improving how I learn moving forward. Now I'm able to identify whether or not I understand a concept, or if I'm just trying to race to the end goal (finish a project, finish a course etc.). Learning to unlearn, and improving how we do learn is truly an important factor. An article that's shared in this course called [The Lesson to Unlearn](http://paulgraham.com/lesson.html) really made this clear for me, so I wanted to share it. It is a bit of a read, but it's a great one - so if you don't have time to read it all now, be sure to bookmark it!

Also - I was just recently recommended this book called [Pragmatic Thinking and Learning: Refactor Your Wetware](https://www.amazon.com/Pragmatic-Thinking-Learning-Refactor-Programmers/dp/1934356050) which focuses on learning how we learn, with concepts you can apply to get better at whatever you do. I just ordered it on Amazon yesterday, so no feedback yet - but I'd be happy to share some insights once I start reading it. 

Before I end this blog post, I wanted to ask you - "Why Do You Learn?" And I don't mean it in a sense of learning new skills etc. But more so, how are you justifying your learning experience? Are you understanding concepts? Are you learning to pass a course? Are you absorbing what you learn, and if so how do you measure your learning?



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