"Learning to Learn"

 In high school, we had a class named "Learning to Learn". At the time I thought this was a ridiculous title, as how could you learn how to learn if you don't already know how to learn? It probably didn't help that the class largely included exercises that tried much too hard to be engaging (to the point where engaging with them was the least engaging option). However now as I find myself beginning the BA PP course, I am wishing I could revisit "Learning to Learn", albeit aimed at a higher level of education.

The format of the course seems, at this point, way out of my comfort zone. Never before have I had to teach myself content, or taken that first step completely by myself. As a pretty independent person I thought I wouldn't mind this, but now I'm here, if I'm honest, I'm quite nervous. Not only shall I be learning the course content and understanding my practice further, but also learning a whole new way to learn. I am experiencing a similar feeling as I await the start of my first ever contract. I am currently teaching myself the shows I'll do there from rehearsal footage I've been sent, although this doesn't feel to be as big of a leap into the dark. I imagine this is because we've been taught about the nerve-wracking parts of the dance world, however academia feels so far away from my life recently, only to be thrust back into it at degree level. I definitely don't regret going to dance college at 16, but I'd appreciate some A-level knowledge right now!

This brings me to another hurdle that I'm nervous for: time management. I've never been the most organised person, tending to leave things to the last moment and blag as much as I can get away with. However, beginning this course I refuse to let myself fall into old habits and quite frankly I don't believe I'll be able to succeed if I don't stay on top of things. My carefully formulated lockdown daily routine needs revisiting to fit the BA PP course well into it, and that routine will have to adapt again once I begin my contract. Ultimately however, I just need to keep myself together in terms of time management and find a good balanced routine where I can happily complete everything I need to without exhausting myself.

 I appreciate that this blog isn't as relevant to the course as future blogs should be, but at this starting point I felt like I just needed to address some of my concerns. Perhaps some of you feel the same as we start Module 1? I would also like to mention that I don't feel 100% negative. Hopefully this new approach will help me develop myself as a student, giving me the confidence and ability to throw myself into other new or unfamiliar adventures. There's a lot to learn, but we all have to start somewhere and I'm so excited to understand and engage further with the course. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you'd like to comment :) 

Comments

  1. Emily Smith21 February 2021 at 11:26

    Hi Rebecca, I am from Module 2 and I too felt so overwhelmed starting this course and to be honest reading the module 2 handbook I have the same feeling now! I don't think the unsettling feeling will go away! I would say certainly use the lockdown to your benefit and all this free time to get stuck into the module! :) we will never get this time again! :)

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  2. Sophie Burrows21 February 2021 at 12:16

    Hi Rebecca,

    If you find a course aimed at a higher level of education about learning to learn let me know - I want in!! I agree that I feel like starting from scratch on this course after years of practical learning rather than in the traditional academic style. I too have felt overwhelmed with the objective of independent learning and the idea of no right or wrong way to do things. However being two weeks into the course now although I am still confused I can feel more comfortable about feeling that way, especially after taking part in the online discussion groups and the skypes with other module students. I look forward to following your journey.

    Sophie x

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  3. Lucy Ferguson22 February 2021 at 02:52

    Hey! I love this blog, its exactly how I have been feeling too! Going into module one and feeling in the dark is super nerve wracking. I am just trying to direct the handbook into small chunks and focus on little bits at a time. I feel if I try to read it all in one go then I get too overwhelmed. It's great that we are all in this together.

    Lucy :) xx

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  4. Lizzie Burder22 February 2021 at 07:47

    Hi Rebecca,
    I think most of the other comments have said this but there is strength in numbers so I want to add that this is exactly how I'm feeling too! Even as a pretty organised person I'm struggling to manage my time. I enjoy definitive list of things I have to get done, but this course is a lot less structured than that. Hopefully we can all share what we're up to and slowly work it out together!
    Lizzie xx

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  5. Niamh Eccleston-Tuohy24 February 2021 at 02:02

    Hi Rebecca, I honestly think we're all feeling the same. After two years doing no academic work I feel like I've forgotten how to string and intellectual sentence together let alone getting my head around some of the vocabulary used in the books! I'm sure we'll all get through this an I'm positive that things will start to make more sense as the weeks go on! I look forward to reading more of your blogs x

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