My students and I were laughing about how they forget things I taught them in earlier semesters.
You forget most of what you learned at university.
This isn’t a reflection of your intelligence or commitment.
It’s just how we process information. Your brain deletes data it doesn’t consider crucial for your current survival or goals.1Certain neurons are dedicated to the process of forgetting. See The New Science of Forgetting.
Why your brain forgets
Even at our best, we lecturers aim to prepare you for multiple futures, but we can’t predict exactly where you’ll be in five years. So we teach you much more than what you need five years from now.
It’s only natural—your brain forgets most of what we teach.
This is why lifelong learning resonates so deeply with me.
In my class, I try to embed life lessons, sometimes going off on tangents. I know those insights have a better chance of sticking in your memory long after you’ve left my lecture hall.
In the end, it’s up to you. You shouldn’t end your learning journey at graduation.
What to do about it
Use these three practical steps:
- Identify Your Interests and Goals
Have a conversation with yourself. Where do you see yourself in the next few years? This will direct your learning to areas most relevant to you. Most importantly, make sure you’re the one who chooses your goals.2Allowing others to choose your goals is risky. See Set Goals, Face Fear or be Controlled by Others.
- Seek Out Mentors and Coaches
Find experienced professionals who can offer practical knowledge and guidance. It doesn’t have to be one person. It can be multiple mentors for different dimensions of your life.3You’re likely to gain deeper insights from people much older than you. See How High Performers Learn from Older Generations. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for finding mentors; take a look at my Connections for potential learning opportunities for you.
- Invest in Online Courses and Workshops
If you really can’t afford them, start with free ones. But as soon as you have a bit of money, invest it to accelerate your skill progression. Think of it as an investment; you’ll see returns far greater than the initial cost. You’ll earn that money back multiple times later.4Don’t underestimate the psychological benefits of investing your hard-earned money in online courses or workshops. See The Surprising Way Successful People Budget for Lifelong Learning
Final Thoughts
Lifelong learning is better than university degrees. Because the end of your university life is the beginning of your freedom to self-educate. No one can force you to study things you don’t care about anymore.
Embrace that freedom.
Embrace lifelong learning.
Notes:
- 1Certain neurons are dedicated to the process of forgetting. See The New Science of Forgetting.
- 2Allowing others to choose your goals is risky. See Set Goals, Face Fear or be Controlled by Others.
- 3You’re likely to gain deeper insights from people much older than you. See How High Performers Learn from Older Generations. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for finding mentors; take a look at my Connections for potential learning opportunities for you.
- 4Don’t underestimate the psychological benefits of investing your hard-earned money in online courses or workshops. See The Surprising Way Successful People Budget for Lifelong Learning