Ask anyone who knew me growing up, all of them would tell you that I was terrible in English class or at least that’s what it was called growing up where we learned basic grammar, spelling and punctuation when I was younger and in-depth literary analysis as I transitioned into middle and high school and later university. I struggled with all of them consistently from a young age until it was a voluntary omission in my college curriculum due to a combined factor of AP testing scores allowing me to fill most requirements for my degree, the only reading or writing class that was required for my curriculum was a technical writing course I completed in 4 weeks during one of my winter breaks where I only wrote 3 essays all of which the quality of work was determined on the structure and clearness of the writing and not the content and its analysis. Reflecting on my choices then and how I viewed language and my ability to wield it I am deeply ashamed. I find this attitude has become a permeant stain in my brain that I have been avoiding cleaning.
Well the time to clean I have decided is now! I have already identified where I struggle and the areas I need focus above: Grammar, Spelling but I’m going to change this to Vocabulary, and Literary Analysis.
The place I have chosen to start my journey of self improvement is my Spelling and Vocabulary. I am embarrassed to admit but think it is worth doing so that I struggle sometimes pronouncing or especially spelling a word, and I have found that my ability to do both have severely atrophied since I have left school. My reliance on auto correct has become dependent in my day to day. If you read any of my had written notes they would be riddles with spelling errors. So how do I improve my spelling and grow my dying and shrinking vocabulary?
I have decided to take a two prong approach to this topic as a whole which is why I am grouping them together. The most important thing I believe that anyone can do when learning or building is a skill is actually doing, so I’m writing more. As much as I can really. I’ve started to take hand written notes for most media I consume now adays, weather it be a TV Show, Movie, Anime, book, YouTube video, really any form of content I try to take 5 minutes after consuming or as I am consuming to pause and take notes. I have found this also has greatly improved my retention for everything I consume, I can remember more details and don’t have as much brain fog on a day to day.
I also downloaded an app on my phone for daily vocab that I write down in a separate notebook. I won’t say which one because I’m not being paid to, but I do find that just learning a hand full of new words every day has not only expanded my vocabulary but I’m also writing them down and practicing spelling these new and challenging words.
Now you might be thinking that my views and solutions are trivial or surface level and I would probably agree with you. I have found myself to be at a place where as much as I hate to admit it, I need these basics reinforced. While what I have mentioned might not be valuable to those who do not struggle like I do. I think its worth to admit and take responsibility for the state of my own learning. I think there is value in saying I deprioritized a critical part of my learning and I have regrets. I also think its valuable to show what I’m doing about it, as its never too late for anyone to learn or do better. No one is too old to admit fault and take responsibility for their short comings and its not shameful to do so. I don’t think that bullying or making fun of anyone who has courage to admit fault and seek enlightenment is valuable. I want to encourage people to do the same to not try and inflate your own image by putting someone else down, but instead be empathetic and encouraging.
Look at yourself, what areas of your life do you struggle with?
The Goth Barkeep
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