Embracing an endless learning journey can enrich your life. Best of all, pursuing learning opportunities doesn’t mean you need to pursue only traditional experiences. You can build knowledge in even the smallest or simplest moments.
Read on to learn how you can cultivate a lifelong passion for learning!
Explore What Piques Your Curiosity
If cultivating knowledge is your goal, start by exploring what intrigues you the most. Maybe you want to expand your understanding of music history or community development. Or perhaps you’ve always wanted to know more about nutrition, women’s rights, or water quality.
Consider joining a local club centered on an issue of interest. Volunteer your time with an organization whose mission aligns with your beliefs. These actions can help introduce you to individuals who share your passions and can help increase your knowledge base.
By indulging your curiosities, you can start developing a growth mindset. In other words, you’ll see that you always can improve your understanding of a topic with patience and persistence.
Find a Balance Between Structured and Informal Learning
Learning can happen in structured settings, such as classrooms or discussion groups. Formal degree or certificate programs represent structured approaches to learning that result in a tangible outcome. But learning also can happen informally through daily conversations and observations.
To reap the most rewards, give yourself opportunities to engage in both types of learning. While structured learning can give you the credentials to further your career plans, informal learning can nourish other interests and give your life meaning.
Strike up a conversation with a stranger at an event. Ask follow-up questions when you listen to someone speak. Pursuing lifelong learning can be as easy as being inquisitive or social.
Books, podcasts, and online videos offer other approaches to informal learning that can be completed according to your timetable. If you’ve earned a degree or feel established in your career, use your free time to engage your mind and learn something new. And to go a step further, share your experiences with family and friends to help cement your newfound knowledge.
Embark on an Endless Learning Journey
Seeing learning as a journey can help you weave it into your life more easily. Look at each interaction or experience as an invitation to deepen your understanding of a person or topic. And be open to the possibility that you may reshape your perspective as a result.
Be willing to try new experiences that push you outside your comfort zone. For instance, attend an event where the speaker holds a different opinion on a social or economic issue. Be purposeful about conversing with individuals whose background differs from your own.
Lifelong learning is a central part of our work at OhanaHC. We pair young people from our community with mentors who help them set goals and see their potential. If you want to help us pursue this mission, please fill out the contact form on our website or email us at info@ohanahc.org to learn more!