Learning How to Learn by Madison

Learning How to Learn by Madison - February 2022 Scholarship Essay

The American education system needs to readjust its focus. In the 17th century, the conception of the first schools came as a means to train kids to become skilled workers and educated citizens. In the 21st century, schools still hold the same values but have added more requirements. In both of these time periods, young children have been thrown into school and told to listen to their teacher while absorbing all the information they can, however they have never been taught how to learn. An elective class showing students how to learn is essential because it will teach them a skill that they can use to cement their education and their future.
Learning is the most important skill that humans hold and as with any skill it can be mastered. In high school especially there is an overwhelming amount of information thrust upon students–8 subjects must be digested in the span of 7 hours. Most students simply take notes as they are told to and read through their textbooks. Right before the test, they review their notes and robotically reread the chapters. After the exam, most of the information they gathered seems to drift away. Why is this? Well, think of learning as building a brick wall. When building a brick wall there must be an acknowledgement of time. If every brick is immediately layered on top of eachother the structure falls apart because the mortar doesn’t get to dry and strengthen. Similarly, when someone quickly absorbs a topic without taking the time to work toward understanding it, that information lacks a solid foundation and will not hold. A class focused on the fundamentals of learning would be able to introduce students to the idea of spaced repetition which would help them build these strong structures throughout their education. The class would also deal with the psychology of procrastination which is an issue many students are overcome by.
Once students get the provided opportunity to understand how to learn, the benefits are innumerable. Not only will they be able to be more confident and receptive in their college –studies where it counts the most–they will have the courage to strive toward learning additional skills and hobbies. All in all, learning has the ability to expand horizons and lead to a more fulfilling life, but for a long time it has not been conceptualized or taken seriously in the education system. An elective teaching students how to learn must be instated.