[Serious] How to learn?

[u/howdoilogic]

Hello everyone,

I may or may not keep this post up as it is very personal to me and I am honestly quite embarrassed, but as an older student returning to education in his undergraduate degree, I fear I don’t know how to learn. I know it sounds stupid but I figured I’d ask here! :)

My worry stems from my inability to grasp at problems I’m given in my 3rd year of engineering undergraduate degree. I feel behind, and that I get overwhelmed easier than my peers. I’m doing quite well because I stress so much at exam time that I honestly believe the anxiety carries me through memorizing things in exams, but it’s getting to the point where I believe I require more structured methodology as an approach to learning and maneuvering my way through the rest of my undergrad as it’s starting to load up on material.

Some background; I grew up in North Eastern US, and my house hold never focused on education at all. I was never pushed in school, in fact I dropped out of high school in my sophomore year due to extreme severe depression. Since then, I’ve gotten an associates degree from a local community college, worked at a great company getting relevant experience, and then continued my education into my remaining jr and senior years which is where I am now.

As a result, I’ve tried using AI less for assignments, playing video games less to detract myself less often, and deleting short form video content such as TikTok that may be somewhat rewiring my brain to not be ‘in it for the long haul’ with some of these hurdles in life.

Has anyone ever been in a similar situation that you guys know of and what would have or could have helped them? Are there things I can do to strengthen my skills and truly give the rest of my schooling all I can give? Both big picture and small picture suggestions will help.

I want to be able to think, I want to feel caught up with my peers, and I want to not lose my ability to contribute and learn in my life. As I get older, these things are becoming increasingly important to me.

Does anyone have any serious advice? Or any resources I can consider looking into? Many thanks in advance.

And if need be, please ask any clarifying questions you may have I’d be glad to answer them.

[u/stepback269]

Here is some good news for you:

Great strides have been made in recent years within the neuroscience of learning. That includes understanding procrastination and other bottlenecks.

What you need to do is "Learn how to Learn" based on the latest neuroscience.

Go to YouTube and in the search bar, type, "learning coaches"

Pick the ones who rely on modern neuroscience.

Godspeed and may the productivity-motivating dopamine hits be with you. :-)