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Becoming an active rather than a passive student is easy once you understand that learning is something you do, not something that happens to you. Passive learning is an oxymoron. It won't happen. When you decide to become an active student, you open yourself to lifelong, active learning.

The first step in active learning is the easiest, simply decide you want to learn. Just say yes. That's all there is to it. You've changed your mindset. The decision to actively participate in your education is the magic key that can unlock your potential and point the way to the beginning of becoming an active student.

Really, it's that easy. A willingness to learn, coupled with a sense of wonder and discovery is the most important skill in active learning. Learning is exciting. We are born, live and die as creative beings. Learning and putting our discoveries into play are the ways we continue to be creative. Imagine how dull life would be as passive (just let things happen to us) beings. Yuk! Why bother?

Even the most passive student must take active steps simply to keep up. Read the assignment. Answer the questions. All active, but are they really learning anything?

As an active student, each new assignment becomes another opportunity to learn and discover instead of a dreaded chore. Learning can be work, but it's fun work because learning brings satisfaction. Each time you learn something new, other paths are opened. Learning can lead you to places and discoveries that just might surprise and delight you.

The decision to become and active student isn't going to turn you into the class genius overnight. Learning to learn takes time, but you've already taken the most important step when you said yes to active learning.

Approach everything about your life as a learning experience. It is you know. Take it one step at a time and before you know it, your love of learning will have taken on a life of it's own and you'll wonder how you ever could have been passive in the first place.

No one who has succeeded in life has ever done so passively waiting for opportunity. The world's greatest thinkers and leaders have all been active students even into their old age. Active learning may begin as a young student, but it never ends.

Active learning puts you in charge of your life. If that isn't enough incentive, then I don't know what is.

Learn more about this author, John McDevitt.
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