If you read our last blog post and thought, “Ugh! That is NOT me!” Don’t worry! This week’s blog post IS for you!
Solitary learners feel like they don’t even need a classroom or meeting. These people read and study on their own and that’s how they best remember information. Of course, it takes a lot of research, study, and even clarifying with the boss or professor that you have things straight. But sitting in a crowded, noisy room with others does nothing to help you understand or remember information. You are a solitary learner.
Improving Memory
Things you can do to improve your memory as a solitary learner include being strategic about the time you have to spend in the classroom or in meetings. Go into each meeting knowing exactly what your questions are and what does not make sense to you. This way, you can harness the information that applies to you and ignore the rest that you’ve already figured out on your own.
It’s important, of course, to keep your ears open for anything you might have missed, but this way you do not need to slog through a long meeting or pointless classroom session wondering why you’re there. Ask your questions up front to get the clarification you need, then wait patiently, doodling or taking notes, while social learners hash it out in the way that’s best for them.
At the Office
As a solitary learner, you probably have good focus, like a quiet learning environment, and have the patience to figure things out on your own. At your job, this may translate to seeming anti-social or hard to work with. Don’t fall into this trap! Contact the Career Profiler to find out how to work best in your job as a solitary worker.
It is possible to earn the trust and respect of your colleagues and employers by finishing tasks seemingly instantaneously. This is because you do not feel the need to reach out to others to find out how to complete them; you learn your job best on your own.
At School
If you’re a student and a solitary learner, you probably dread group projects. The way you can take advantage of your solitary learning strength is by being up-front about the tasks you choose and how you will do them. Tell your group mates early on what part of the project you will be in charge of. Offer your services or clarification if they need it, then you can go off and do your part of the project the way you know best. Keep tabs on your group mates every so often and make sure that your work gels with theirs.
If you want help getting through high school, college, or your graduate degree as a solitary learner, get in touch with the Career Profiler. Together, you can make a plan for what classes to take, what major is best for you, and how to get into the right job for you early on. For those of you who are professionals, you can learn how to maximize the benefits of being a solitary learner and minimize the negatives or risks. The Career Profiler can help you put your best foot forward. You might consider a career that suits introverts as a way of harnessing your solitary learning strength.