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Tip Sheets
A Positive Attitude Will Help You Learn
Successful learners have positive beliefs and attitudes towards learning. They are not afraid of new experiences and can see learning opportunities in many different settings. And when you can see opportunities, hope increases.
Eileen is the oldest person in her college program. It's been 20 years since she wrote a paper or studied for an exam. However, in the 15 years that she's stayed home to raise her children, Eileen has mastered stress and time management skills, teamwork skills, budgeting skills and more. She's read a lot, chaired community committees and coached several soccer teams. She knows she can polish up her report writing and study skills and do well in her program. Based on her own experience, Eileen believes that old dogs are eager to learn new tricks.
When you have positive learning beliefs and attitudes, you can relax, remember, focus and absorb information as you learn.
Use this exercise to explore your attitudes and beliefs about learning. Put a check mark beside the statements that are true for you:
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I believe that lifelong learning will help me achieve my goals.
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I'm willing to make mistakes and learn from them.
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I'm aware that learning opportunities are all around me.
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I take charge of my own learning. I use every opportunity I have to learn something new.
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I'm willing and eager to learn.
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I know what skills and knowledge I need or want to learn.
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I know where to find out about formal learning opportunities (mentors, co-workers, friends, supervisors, family members).
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I set new learning goals regularly. |
How many did you score out of nine possible check marks? Take a close look at the statements you didn't check off. Think about how these could be affecting your success as a learner.
For each statement that you didn't check off, think of two steps that you could take right now to build a positive learning attitude in this area. For example, if you don't know what skills and knowledge you need to learn, how can you find out? If you're working, could you talk to your supervisor? If you're not working, could you talk to a career counsellor or find the information in a book, magazine or on the Internet?
Learning opportunities
When you think about learning, you may tend to think of a formal classroom situation. This kind of learning can be important and valuable, but it's only one of many learning opportunities that are open to you. You can learn:
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at work |
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on your own |
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from mentors and role models |
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from co-workers and friends |
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through magazines, journals, books and newspapers |
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on the Internet |
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by volunteering |
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by teaching others what you know (this helps you to improve your skills and insight) |
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through seminars, workshops and courses |
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by attending classes at an educational institution. |
These days, more than ever, learning is for life. Whether you've completed junior high or a graduate degree, if you want to succeed, you need to keep on learning. The information available worldwide doubles every few years, and technology (especially communication technology such as computers or the Internet) is part of virtually every workplace. For this reason, employers value knowledgable employees who can work smart.
It's been said that knowledge is power. A positive attitude and positive belief system will help you enjoy learning and help you discover fresh learning opportunities along the way.
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Additional Reading
Positive Works II produced by Alberta Employment and Immigration. For a copy of this publication: |
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download an online copy or order the publication from the Publications website at alis.alberta.ca/careershop |
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call the Alberta Career Information Hotline at 1-800-661-3753 toll-free or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton |
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visit your local Alberta Employment and Immigration service centre. To find the centre nearest you, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline. |
Last Updated: June 16, 2006
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