This semester has been filled with experimentation and growth. As a result, I’ve been able to notice many things about myself that will help me for the rest of my life, whether it’s learning strategies, giving feedback, or receiving feedback.
Neuroplasticity
The most valuable thing I’ve learned is the importance of neuroplasticity. I think neuroplasticity is the root of all change. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to change.
I’ve come to realize that learning new things is, at its core, simply about changing. This is something we often forget when we’re trying to learn something new.
Habits
For this study plan, the main change I’ve had to focus on has been in my habits—specifically, my coding habits. My goal was to learn Vim, but a better way to frame this goal is to fundamentally change the way I write code. This is much harder than just learning Vim, but it’s a step-by-step process.
One thing that I could have done was to dedicate time to simply learning how to use Vim before trying to use it. It would have made the process of changing my habits much easier.
This concept applies to many areas of life.
Awareness and Growth
Being aware of your flaws is crucial. It allows you to overcome them, rather than remain ignorant of them.
This ties closely with accepting your current limitations and abilities, while also taking the initiative to change them.
To make meaningful change, you need a strong enough reason—a deep motivation—to push you forward. Without this, it’s easy to continue doing things you know you shouldn’t be doing.
This is where self-awareness, mindfulness, and being present come into play. These qualities can guide you to recognize what needs to change and provide the clarity to take action.