Gaining competency in a skill or knowledge of a subject matter. Improving one's abilities.
0
votes
0answers
27 views
How to get more from a laid-back QA internship? [migrated]
I started an internship 2 weeks ago as a Quality Assurance Engineer intern and in the intern orientation I was told: "You can only get out as much as you put into your internship." After the ...
2
votes
1answer
56 views
Mentoring a Fresher
I am working as a developer in software industry for past 8 years. I have seen many projects and worked as a dev lead which also involves interacting with QA team to get the testing done of the ...
4
votes
4answers
273 views
What are the general steps to increase your IQ?
I believe that the engine that drives us forward is our IQ. Increasing it will result in a higher productivity rate so I'd like to know what are the general steps that will put a person on that path. ...
-1
votes
3answers
118 views
Why is learning theoretical stuff necessary to be a software engineer? [closed]
I'm a engineer student. After passing 3 years of learning hard theoretical stuff, I expected that my fourth year would be interesting for me as a software engineer, but we are still learning about ...
4
votes
1answer
164 views
I have a mastermind group set up. Now what? What activities should we be doing while together?
I am interested in any ideas on interesting activities or discussions we could do/have while together. Also any tips on how to effectively run a mastermind group and ensure our members get the maximum ...
6
votes
5answers
366 views
How to get over passive thinking
I need to get some advice on overcoming mental passivity. I have never had efficient study skills before (always managed to be average or above average by cramming), and now that I'm at a top 10 ...
0
votes
3answers
116 views
Helping young people that want to improve productivity, but are struggling with authority?
Only a few years ago I was in at that age where everyone around me wanted to party and only have a good time. Even then I was driven to look for another path. Now I find myself with some younger ...
8
votes
4answers
281 views
Optimised learning
I have a lot of computer learning to get through in the next 3 months. Given my current pace of learning and productivity system, I have no chance of succeeding.
The courses are similar to those ...
8
votes
4answers
452 views
There's so much that I want to know. How to learn everything?
I am a programmer but this can apply to any field. There are many technologies that I want to know. So I start to read some book and then I jump to another book and so on. This makes me feel bad. Any ...
3
votes
2answers
192 views
How do I maintain consistency when learning a new skill?
Sometimes, I find it difficult to maintain focus when learning new skills, especially when I'm just getting the hang of it. Most times, it's due to being distracted by learning another skill. How do I ...
3
votes
1answer
109 views
How do I study the books that don't have answers at the back?
There are several classical books on mathematics which are a pleasure to study from. However, after reading its materials and working through the theorems and solved problems, I feel very ...
3
votes
4answers
306 views
Grasping new things quickly or in less time
I am 4yrs experience software engineer. When a new requirement comes or when I move to another project, I take a long time to understand the process/flow. So become helpless to work on any development ...
3
votes
3answers
101 views
Should I keep revising?
Scenario:
I read about multithreading (one of the computer programming concept) aroung 10 months ago. I practiced it well, wrote around 5-6 articles with my own examples. It is one of my interesting ...
2
votes
1answer
97 views
Learning methodology for software developer?
I am a beginner in software development. I've started learning algorithms, networking and software development practices from various books. My seniors advised me to read one book and learn one thing ...
2
votes
5answers
211 views
How to become a proactive rather than a reactive (lazy) learner?
My whole life I have been a reactive, lazy learner. What that means is that more or less any knowledge I ever acquired came in one of the three possible manners:
Someone madated a task for whose ...
8
votes
7answers
365 views
What is the efficient way to remember things we read?
I read variety of things in a day; But I forgot those things in a week or so. I identified that 'spaced repetition' will help me to keep remembering things. To do spaced repetition, i take note of ...
11
votes
4answers
279 views
Forgetting of concepts
I have a problem which I am unable to tackle to the best of my efforts. Whenever I learn a concept (maths, computers physics), if I am required to solve a question on it immediately, I do it without ...
0
votes
0answers
97 views
How does accumulation of knowledge/skill works in case of the 10,000 hours rule? [closed]
I have often read on the internet that one needs 10,000 hours ( Malcolm Gladwell's Theory ) of deliberate practice to become good at something. It takes about 7 years @ 4 hours per day. Does this mean ...
31
votes
17answers
3k views
what do you do when you are stuck at programming and you don't have access to internet?
This is a question most of us have faced while programming. Getting stuck! It might be a programmatic problem or tool problem, most of us eventually face it.
You know something is supposed to work ...
4
votes
2answers
117 views
Get the grasp of a big system of applications and skills
I work for the IT department of a big company with lots of applications. Usually my day starts managing custom apps, most of which I barely know, and fixing single problems on them. The problem is: ...
3
votes
0answers
121 views
Does Lucid Dreaming hurt the learning process? [closed]
Given how dreams are a way for the brain to process the day and make connections to other things, creating the new neural circuits to support new things you have learned, doesn't altering the normal ...
4
votes
2answers
152 views
How to understand a word?
One of the major study tips are understanding what you learn. But when you learn a new word, how do you understand it without memorization?
3
votes
2answers
105 views
Is it a good idea to test multiple “pieces of knowledge” on one card?
I'm using Anki, a flashcard learning tool, for learning Japanese vocabulary. Of course, this includes words with kanji. For these I need to know both the reading and the meaning. Now I'm wondering ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Strategies for studying multiple subjects at the same time
If I want to study N different subjects what would be the best strategy to do this?
One extreme would be to take only one subject first and devote all of my free time to study it, then after I'm done ...
1
vote
2answers
142 views
How can I communicate with others to help them consider alternative viewpoints?
What is the best way to communicate with others such that they will make strides to consider alternative viewpoints? I feel this would help to reduce anger in groups.
8
votes
3answers
585 views
How to self study/learn?
Currently I treat self learning like college. I read books, take notes and test myself. However, I am not finding this effective, as whilst the motivation is there (love of the topic, wanting to ...
4
votes
1answer
196 views
How to set goals or milestones learning a new language?
When I make a project I use to divide it into several specific goals. And this use to work for me.
Now I'm learning a new language (English language) for my own.
I have some activities like:
Read ...
4
votes
1answer
165 views
Recollection of non-linear content
I just read Joshua Foer's book "Moon-walking with Einstein," and examined some relevant passages from Rhetorica Ad Herennium in hopes of being able to learn and remember faster.
One issue that these ...
1
vote
3answers
227 views
How best to organize research by project for multiple different projects?
I have multiple projects each requiring their own research that's not interrelated.
(ie: Database Admin, Systems Admin, Database Development). Knowledge in these areas is endless and falls under ...
0
votes
3answers
116 views
Catching up a whole field in science with textbooks and videos of lectures
For a future research project I need to grasp as all of the information I can and concepts over condensed matter physics (with my current background I am fairly familiar with the mathematics and ...
14
votes
11answers
2k views
Is it possible to learn foreign languages effectively by watching tv series?
Some people say that watching TV series can be very helpful in learning foreign languages.
However, I am skeptical about it as I think that this kind of activity is just too passive.
My biggest ...
10
votes
5answers
249 views
How to stop misplacing things?
I have a big problem of forgetting where I have put things. I always seem to forget where, for example I left my papers, keys, etc.
Is there a way I can remember all the objects and where I have ...
5
votes
4answers
197 views
Effectively converting stuff you read to actual results
I (& I'm sure many of others) go through a lot of trouble to read about improving productivity. This includes
Books (59 seconds, Seven Habits, GTD etc.),
Blogs (Pavlina, LifeHacker)
...
16
votes
11answers
758 views
Where should I store good advice?
I sometimes come across good advice like 11 Essential Habits for Success or How To Listen Effectively, and I can't use it immediately but I like it enough to want to keep it around.
However, if I ...
9
votes
4answers
261 views
One hour a day or 4 continuous hours a week for an activity?
Should I practice an activity, say drawing, programming, or even sport, in short day-sessions of one hour for example, or do it all at once in a week?
If I choose to do one hour a day, I might waste ...
2
votes
3answers
107 views
Redoing Questions
Suppose I took an exam and did poorly on it. Would it be good to try and redo those questions again without looking at the answers? If so, how long should I wait before I try those questions again and ...
8
votes
4answers
423 views
How to effectively read and understand scientific literature?
If have read some other topics regarding this subject, but they were rather focused on the immediate understanding of a paper and not long-term knowledge of a topic.
Suppose I read a book about about ...
3
votes
3answers
370 views
What's the most effective studying method?
I study at a high school/college and I'll soon have my exams period.
I was wondering what is the best way to study, given that I want to get the most use out of my time.
What should I pay attention ...
6
votes
3answers
266 views
How is self-learning different from course-based learning?
I have taken lots of classes where the professor was horrible at teaching and I literally had to become a "self learner". The professor recommended textbooks and there were frequent tests which kept ...
3
votes
3answers
144 views
Learning the definition of a new word
Whenever I see a word that I haven't seen before, I make sure to look it up. How can I make sure that I remember it? I suppose one could use spaced repetition. What else could I try?
Related ...
6
votes
2answers
217 views
How does positive or negative self-talk work?
Stephen Covey's book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People recommends the following exercise:
Say "I like myself" to yourself 50 times a day for at least 14 days.
I've tried it and contrary to ...
5
votes
4answers
197 views
How to prepare a course or a talk?
In one week from now I am holding a course in computer programming, which takes place twice a week. The course has 30 participants. It is the first time I am holding a course.
Now I have to prepare ...
14
votes
11answers
694 views
How can I learn about complex subjects?
I am very interested in certain subjects which are quite complex (and not very mainstream), but I find it hard to learn about them since there seems not be a lot of introductory content about such ...
38
votes
15answers
1k views
Is blogging about what you learn useful?
Well, I have been starting habits of self studying (for the purpose of self improvement) and was making some progress (two months so far). However, one thing I'm not able to do well is blog about my ...
5
votes
4answers
348 views
What computer skills are the most essential for beginners?
People come at me frequently asking questions about computers. It can be flattering at first but you know they are coming back with the most absurd questions because they don't know enough to figure ...
7
votes
2answers
345 views
How to discuss productivity (and lack thereof) with your boss?
I have recently graduated college and had a fairly dramatic change of lifestyle.
Being that there is never enough time in the day, I used to go to great lengths to minimize my responsibilities and ...
1
vote
3answers
151 views
Brain background education?
I'm interested in one specific brain ability. I'll try to describe it.
Imagine that you are learning to play the guitar. You bought an instrument, self-teaching book and started to learn playing ...
6
votes
1answer
188 views
How to find out in which subject you will be the most productive?
I seem to be somewhat blessed (or cursed) with the fact that there are multiple things that I can do reasonably well.
Because there are so many subjects I am interested in I am actually not really ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
What is a learning attitude, and how can I improve mine?
What is a learning attitude, how do I determine whether I have one, and what can I do to cultivate it?
I have also noticed that during interviews, the interviewers ask questions to see if the ...
17
votes
12answers
2k views
What is the best way to improve English vocabulary?
I want to improve my English vocabulary. I want to know some of the best ways to improve my vocabulary.
How many words should I learn daily?
What resources should I use?
