the learning student

It was the first day I sat for such a small class, when suddenly the teacher asked me,

Why are you not copying notes?

Don’t you know that writing aids memorization and retention  of information? Imam asy-syafi’i who was poor and could not afford writing materials used to use his fingers and saliva to take notes during Imam Malik’s class until he was questioned for “playing” during his lesson. He then explains his situation and was able to relate the hadith that was taught. Don’t you want to become like Imam Asy-Syafi’i?

It is more than three years since that incident, and alhamdulillah, this is one very useful lesson of learning that I was thought by such a great teacher -remember,  always take notes during lesson.

I found a video on youtube that relates the above incident =)!!

One of the most important lessons that I learn in the Human Management module is the Maslow Hierachy of needs.

It is a study by Maslow on notable personalities including Albert Einstein and Frederick Douglas and the “healthiest one percent” of college student population.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is predetermined in order of importance.. a pyramid consisting of five levels: the first lower level is being associated with Physiological needs, while the top levels are termed growth needs associated with psychological needs. Deficiency needs must be met first. Once these are met, seeking to satisfy growth needs drives personal growth. The higher needs in this hierarchy only come into focus when the lower needs in the pyramid are met. Once an individual has moved upwards to the next level, needs in the lower level will no longer be prioritized. If a lower set of needs is no longer being met, the individual will temporarily re-prioritize those needs by focusing attention on the unfulfilled needs, but will not permanently regress to the lower level. For instance, a businessman at the esteem level who is diagnosed with cancer will spend a great deal of time concentrating on his health (physiological needs), but will continue to value his work performance (esteem needs) and will likely return to work during periods of remission.

- from wikipedia.org

From this pyramid, we will now understand ourselves and others better. Why are we driven to do some things more than others? Why do people behave in a certain manner when given a certain treatment? What makes some people (like the grand saints, and great scientists) more successful than others?

I believe that the successful put their time and efforts on utmost top of this pyramid – the self actualization. Many are in a delusion that they are constantly in need of the lower level needs due to a sickness that are very subtle.

In order to find out our state, ask ourselves what are we motivated by. Many will find themselves just one step before where they ideally should be…..

picture taken and reproduced from the coaching concepts library

It was the very first lecture of my very first pure  “hard core” engineering module. All seems too normal – the lecturer explains the content of the module, list down all the relevant contact numbers, inform us of his office hours and so on until he started to talk about the exams. Prof Khoo said, clearly, vividly and prof-fessionally in his long sleeve blue shirt

You are marked based on your assumptions, you don’t state your assumptions, you don’t get your marks.

Stunned. And that was the beginning of a realization that many of what I have been doing for the past 12 years of scientific and mathematical learning is  “non-realistic”,  “ideal” and  at times “child’s play”.  It is the truth nevertheless. The real life is such. We largely work base on assumptions. What makes it more ‘right’ is how valid that assumption is, in other words how close it is to the ultimate truth. Without assumptions you can’t learn.

I remember how an unpopular instructor in the preliminary training institute states an [unvalid] point – “Assumption is the mother of all *&#$ ups”. And he has the cheek to quirk why his soldier’s can’t ‘think’. But Assumptions, as it generally implies could be fatal if is done indiscriminately – especially when lives are at stack. Beyond being “logical” or sounding ‘right’, it needs to have a basis, (at least if not only your own self is at stake). Here are 5 important rules of engagement (ROE) when you decide to adopt this truthful, honest and logical approach to learning.

[1] Complacence not = Assumptions

Know that assumptions are made to get things moving, but not to keep things that way. Never allow yourself to indulge in a life base upon assumptions, that is not our point! Its like an engineering paper, you can’t make an assumption that a is b if it clearly states that a is not b. Access all possible avenues of information, don’t tolerate any slackness given the time and materials you have. ONLY make assumption when there is a need.

[2] State your Assumptions Clearly

When confronted with the dilemmas of life, be sure to be aware of the assumptions made when you list out the pros and cons of things. “Err, #1 I am marrying her because she (is going to) loves me (forever?).” or ” A-Maths (calculus) will help me when I become an Engineer(ing Student in Singapore?)”

[3] Develop your  “Assumption – Awareness”

Start first by accepting that making assumptions are part and parcel of learning. Then begin finding out on the assumptions underlying your day to day decisions, as well as your stand the various life-related issues. This will proof to be very fruitful. You will begin to accept the views of others and very much change yours, knowing that your stand is not an ultimate truth, but there are assumptions made. This will boost the learning capacity.

[4] Don’t force your assumptions upon someone else

Sounds rather cliche, but we all lead very different lives and we judge things based on our very own perspective. It will be foolish for the monkey to convince the panda that climbing the coconut tree will guarantee his sustenance. Or worst still, the toad calling the fish to follow him out of the water. Our Assumptions may only be valid for ourselves, we may share our assumptions but we don’t impose them. period.

[5] Live to eliminate your false Assumptions

Don’t live a life to prove others wrong, but  live  to prove yourself right. “He is wrong to have said that about me. I am not that! I will prove him wrong!” – mr foolish who lives an entire life to prove other people’s “wrong” impressions.

The early people stated that this is a manifestation of outright pride, – anti-humility. Hey Mr Foolish people don’t make you, people’s assumptions most of the time don’t affect you at all!  But our very own tacit assumptions matters. You wouldn’t want to die in a state of blatant ignorance, right? so make it a lifetime effort to remove your deepest and most subtle life assumptions- including the quest to finding your life purpose(s).