Learning something new is always exciting. It seems like there is so much knowledge around you, and so many ways for you to absorb it.

New and inexperienced students, however, often make mistakes that negatively affect their learning journey. This is natural and part of the education process; learning how to overcome them will help you become a better learner in the long run.

Here are five common errors students make when trying something new, and what can be done to fix them.

1. Comparing yourself to others

When you struggle with learning something new, it can be discouraging to see other people do well at it. “What’s the point? I’ll never be as good as my friend – I might as well stop” is a common thought.

This kind of self-defeating attitude only causes problems in the long run. Everyone starts out not knowing anything in his or her field.

Most of the time, you only see them at their best but are unaware of all the hard work, sacrifice, and effort they put in to get where they are. They have likely failed many times and struggled with the same problems you now face.

Try comparing yourself positively to others instead of negatively. Adopt the attitude of “if my friend can do it, so can I”.

Alternatively, accept that everyone has their own talents and grows at their own rate. Your friend may be great at something, but you excel at other things. Help and support each other and don’t focus on comparisons.

2. Having unrealistic expectations

Many things look very easy at first glance but take a long time to master. Some people are overconfident, expecting to be good at something immediately. They become impatient when things do not go their way and realise that mastering the skill is more difficult than they expect.

Remember that learning is a journey, not a destination. How you learn is just as important as what you learn. While getting a certificate is nice, the most important part of a course is the process of gaining new knowledge.

In short: don’t rush it.

3. Giving up too quickly

This is the main reason people end their learning journeys early – they decide it is too much for them to handle, and stop, not realising how close they actually are to succeeding.

Author Seth Godin said there are three major reasons people give up: lack of drive, lack of interest, or lack of guidance. Before giving up on something, consider if there is a way to gain what you lack.

Problems are not there to make one’s life difficult but to serve as opportunities for one to learn and grow, so remember not to let short term challenges ruin long-term success.

4. Memorising instead of understanding

It’s easy to memorise facts without really absorbing them. In fact, it’s common for students to cram for their exams at the last minute but forget what they have learnt by the very next day!

This is not an effective way to study. Instead, aim to go further and understand the context behind why you are learning something, and put what you know into practice as much as possible.

Roleplaying sessions, active discussion, and practical activities can help cement one’s newly gained knowledge.

5. Doing it alone

It can sometimes be overwhelming to learn something new, especially when a topic is vast or complex. Some learners try to tackle all of it by themselves, which can feel very stressful and lead to problems like burnout or depression.

Reach out to other people. Try study groups or meetings with classmates or other friends. This not only makes learning easier, but more fun as well.

This article was written by Terence Toh of ReSkills.com, a local online education platform aiming to make education affordable and accessible for all. Its ‘OnLive’ classes for adult learners are conducted by qualified and experienced coaches from all around the region.