Descriptive essay: “How I Learn”

I hear the comforting sound of my coach’s whistle against the noise of shuffling feet and falling bodies. Finally, three seconds of rest in between three hours of wrestling practice. The humidity in the room is that of a sauna, or even worse, a steam room. I try to wipe the stinging sweat out of my eyes, but to my dismay I only make it worse. My body has lost five pounds since practice started, but what my body has lost my shirt has gained in sweat. He barks out orders for the next move we are to practice, “20 single leg takedowns each!” Over and over we drill this takedown until we move on to the next one. They say practice makes perfect, and I’d have to agree with that. Repetition is the way by which I learn and become good at things. I practice things over and over until it becomes repetitive, to the point where I can do them in my sleep.

Unfortunately, this is not always the easiest way to learn things. The only problem with repetition is that it takes time and does not come easily or without hard work. However, I’d rather work hard to learn things than have everything come easily to me throughout my life. If everything always went my way and was easy I would not know how to face hardships. I would most likely crumble if it wasn’t for learning to face with difficulties.

The method of learning that I have the most success with is when I have to see something or solve a problem using numbers and equations. I enjoy solving problems and getting the correct solutions; it’s almost as if I feel that I’ve accomplished something when I get the right answers. When I learn to solve a problem, I can use the method of solving similar problems that I’ve been shown. When doing something, such as writing a paper, I don’t know if I’ve done a successful job or got the right answers until it has been graded, and it’s too late to fix. There is no problem for me to answer. The only question I must solve is that of what I’m writing about. Sometimes I don’t even answer the question because I get off track and begin writing about other things that interest me more or that I have more material on. I practice things because I must to become competent at them, and I usually do the practicing when I’m in the mood to devote all of my time and attention to it.

To some, my dilemma seems obvious, “All you’ve got to do is practice your writing more;” however, I only like practicing things in which I enjoy doing. Golfing, swimming and fishing are all things I don’t mind doing. Give me instructions to practice one of these and I’ll be at it all day. On the other hand, try to make me write and I’ll most likely spend the time pounding my head on the desk.

Enough said. I must work on things until I get good at them, even if they frustrate me, such as trying to write this paper and getting so upset at myself that I just want to rip it up and go shoot pool or play table tennis. I am getting quite good at these, perhaps I should practice writing as much as I play games and I’ll become an expert at this as well.