You should always take notes

Are you a nerd? Maybe not.

But, are you academically curious? We will see.

Now, I use the term “academically curious” here because people generally are curious about a lot of stuff, but not everyone starts watching a lecture on everything they are interested in.

You need to be a very specific type of person to look for courses, lectures, books and just start taking notes about topics.

I think I do this. Mostly unsuccessfully though.

I will see some video about a mathematical equation that will push me to search for the best place to learn (or re-learn) differential equations. I will take a notebook and a pen and will start taking notes and solving questions.

I will read about some book that talks about economics, will download it or buy it (depending on what is easier) and then start taking notes.

Taking notes is the important part.

I used to love taking notes. In school. In college. Even after college. I used to love writing whatever I was learning, thinking, new information and interesting ideas.

It’s been a while though.

People talk about practical learning. That’s important, and to be honest, inevitable if you have to survive in this world.

But there is something different about learning a subject like you are in a classroom. Going deeper into a discipline, sitting in a lecture, listening to people’s ideas and realising how they are shaping yours.

Figuring out things in real time as you read though something or watch someone explain a completely new topic to you. It’s magical!

I think it’s a lost art nowadays to be curious and to actually learn. Specially with our short attention spans, brainrot filled reels and no interest in any life outside social media, it’s more important than ever to start learning. Not just learn, but to educate ourselves.

If you had the chance, what would you start learning today?

I think I would choose Mathematics and Economics. I used to love both of the subjects while I was studying them. But it’s been a while that I have dived into any of them properly.

I know I don’t want to be a mathematician. That’s not the point.

Learning sometimes has to be done for the sake of learning and nothing else.