Mastering Simple Concepts Are Life Skills: 5 Reasons Why

There are hundreds of phenomenal concepts that we are taught in school but the question is, how many do you remember? We remember more than just the ones we spend the most time learning. In fact, we can recapitulate the ones we were able to breakdown and digest the basic concepts behind them. It proves that it is crucial to understand the basics first and then move on to the complex ones. Running on this point, here are 5 supporting reasons why it is essential for a student or any individual, to clear their basic concepts first.

1. Gives you the confidence to learn further

Suppose you are attending physics tuition, and you can’t seem to grasp the concept behind a complex phenomenon such as thermodynamics. You would probably feel confused and even lost. When the lesson moves on to the application of thermodynamics, you are left clueless. Besides losing out on thermodynamics knowledge, this gap would also leave you feeling unmotivated, hesitant to pick up the next concepts shared in the lesson.

Without mastering your basics, you would not have the confidence to take on the more complex concepts. Sometimes, the lack of courage happens whether you are conscious or not.

2. Able to retain the knowledge

How would you be able to master thermodynamics when you are unaware that it revolves around an equilibrium? That is why you need to understand concepts right down to the smaller components that they comprise of. Without establishing the workings of an equilibrium, you cannot connect its role in the larger concept.

Most students, taking reference from those we have seen in JC physics tuition classes, do not study every day. Generally, students revise when their tests and exams are approaching. Fortunately, with the example of thermodynamics, if you have previously studied each of its components well, your revision becomes straightforward. You simply need to apply the relevant components to suit each practice question.

3. Hone an experimental mindset

After you retain the technical knowledge and gain the confidence to apply it, you are ready for the complex concepts. As ‘complex’ suggests, they are not closely

related to what you have previously studied. This stage would encourage you to be experimental or think out of the box.

With mastery of basics, you would know how to manipulate them to suit your understanding of larger theories.

4. Encourages critical thinking

Critical thinking also accompanies the experimental mindset, another skill you gain in the process of mastering basics. Critical thinking structures your experimental mindset.

In thermodynamics, there are various laws under this larger concept. You can experiment and apply all of them to a particular problem. However, with the ability to critically discern which laws are more relevant to experiment with, you save time and energy.

5. Apply across different disciplines

When you have understood both the small and large concepts, you are equipped to identify their relevance across different disciplines. Thermodynamics is commonly categorised under the study of Physics. Yet, there is also chemical thermodynamics which involves heat and motion, specifically in a chemical reaction. Hence, knowing the basics of a concept can allow you to apply it across disciplines better.

Conclusion

The above reasons for establishing your foundation has been explained from an academic perspective. These skills of confidence, retaining knowledge, having an experimental but critical approach to apply across disciplines, are also useful life skills.