How to Become Smarter in Your Free Time

Photo by Claudia Wolff on Unsplash

Here are some suggestions for how to become smarter in your free time:

Read books: Reading books on a variety of topics can help expand your knowledge and improve your critical thinking skills. Choose books that are challenging and thought-provoking to really stretch your brain.

Set aside dedicated reading time:

1. One of the best ways to make sure you have time to read is to schedule dedicated reading time in your calendar. Set aside a specific time each day or week to read, and try to stick to it as much as possible.
2. Choose books that you find interesting: It can be difficult to stick with a book if you’re not interested in it. To make reading more enjoyable, choose books that you find interesting and that hold your attention. This could be a book in a genre you enjoy, a topic that fascinates you, or a book recommended by someone you trust.
3. Make reading a habit: Like any activity, reading becomes easier and more automatic the more you do it. Try to make reading a daily habit by setting aside a regular time to read each day. Over time, it will become a natural part of your routine.
4. Find a comfortable and quiet place to read: It’s hard to concentrate on a book if you’re not in a comfortable and quiet environment. Try to find a place where you can sit comfortably and where there are few distractions. This could be a cozy chair in your living room, a quiet corner of a library, or a comfortable spot in a park.
5. Join a book club: Joining a book club can be a great way to motivate yourself to read more. It can provide accountability, support, and discussion with others who are also interested in reading. You can join a book club in person or online.

Take online courses or tutorials: Online courses and tutorials can be a great way to learn new things and develop new skills. Look for courses on platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy that cover topics that interest you.

To take an online course, follow these steps:

1. Choose a course: The first step in taking an online course is to choose a course that interests you and that is relevant to your goals. There are many online platforms that offer courses on a wide variety of topics, such as Coursera, edX, and Udemy.
2. Create an account: Most online course platforms require you to create an account before you can enroll in a course. To create an account, you will typically need to provide your name, email address, and a password.
3. Enroll in the course: Once you have created an account, you can enroll in the course you have chosen. This typically involves paying a fee, although some courses may be free. Once you have enrolled in the course, you will have access to the course materials and assignments.
4. Complete the course: To complete an online course, you will need to complete all of the course assignments and pass any exams or quizzes. This will typically involve watching videos, reading texts, and completing quizzes or projects.
5. Get your certificate: Once you have completed the course and passed any exams or quizzes, you will typically be able to download or print a certificate of completion. This can be a valuable addition to your resume or professional portfolio.

Practice a new hobby: Trying out a new hobby can help you learn and grow in new ways. Look for hobbies that involve problem-solving or critical thinking, such as puzzles, games, or DIY projects.

To practice a new hobby, follow these steps:

1. Choose a hobby: The first step in practicing a new hobby is to choose something that interests you and that you think you will enjoy. This could be a physical activity, such as knitting or painting, or a mental activity, such as puzzles or writing.
2. Gather the necessary supplies: Once you have chosen a hobby, you will need to gather the necessary supplies. This could include items like yarn, paint, or a notebook, depending on the hobby you have chosen.
3. Practice regularly: To develop a new hobby, you will need to practice regularly. Set aside a specific time each week to work on your hobby, and try to stick to it as much as possible.
4. Seek out resources and support: To improve your skills in your new hobby, seek out resources and support. This could include books, online tutorials, or classes that can provide guidance and inspiration. You can also join a group or community of people who share your hobby to learn from others and get support.
5. Keep trying new things: As you continue to practice your new hobby, don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment. This will help you keep your hobby interesting and challenging, and can help you continue to improve and grow.

Learn a new language: Learning a new language can be a challenging but rewarding way to boost your cognitive abilities. It can help improve your memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills.

To learn a new language, follow these steps:

1. Choose a language: The first step in learning a new language is to choose which language you want to learn. Consider factors like which languages are spoken in your area, which languages are most useful for your goals, and which languages you find interesting or challenging.
2. Find resources: Once you have chosen a language, you will need to find resources to help you learn. This could include books, online courses, or language classes. Look for resources that are designed for your skill level and that align with your learning style.
3. Practice regularly: To learn a new language, you will need to practice regularly. Set aside a specific time each week to work on your language skills, and try to stick to it as much as possible.
4. Immerse yourself in the language: One of the best ways to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in it as much as possible. Listen to music and podcasts in the language, watch movies and TV shows, and try to speak the language with others as much as you can.
5. Keep learning and challenging yourself: As you continue to learn a new language, don’t be afraid to push yourself and try new things. This will help you continue to improve and grow, and can make learning a new language more interesting and rewarding.

Have thoughtful conversations with others: Engaging in thoughtful conversations with others can help you learn and grow. Try to have discussions about interesting topics with friends, family, or even strangers to challenge your thinking and learn from different perspectives.

To engage in debates and conversations with others to learn, follow these steps:

1. Find people to talk to: The first step in engaging in debates and conversations is to find people to talk to. This could be friends, family, coworkers, or even strangers. Look for people who are interested in the same topics you are and who are willing to engage in thoughtful discussions.
2. Choose interesting topics: To make debates and conversations more engaging and educational, choose interesting topics to discuss. This could be something that is currently in the news, a topic that you are passionate about, or a problem that you are trying to solve.
3. Listen and ask questions: To learn from debates and conversations, it’s important to listen carefully to what others have to say and to ask questions. This will help you understand their perspectives and ideas, and can help you learn from their experiences and knowledge.
4. Be open-minded and respectful: To make debates and conversations productive and rewarding, it’s important to be open-minded and respectful. This means being willing to consider others’ points of view, even if you don’t agree with them, and being respectful of their opinions and ideas.
5. Follow up and continue the conversation: After a debate or conversation, follow up with the people you talked to and continue the conversation. This can help you deepen your understanding of the topic and continue to learn from others.