How Long Does It Take To Learn A New Skill And How To Do It Faster

Learning a new skill can be incredibly daunting and time-consuming. In a fast-paced world where technology is constantly evolving, we feel the pressure to keep up with new information that is being released.

How long does it take to learn a new skill?

So, how long does it typically take to learn a new skill? Generally, it’s believed that anyone can learn a new skill in 20 hours, whether that’s spread across a period of days, weeks or months. However, this is a broad idea that can’t be applied to everything; learning how to perform brain surgery is one of the things that comes to mind!

The time and effort it takes to learn a new skill all depend on several factors, such as the complexity of the skill, prior knowledge, how much time and motivation you have to invest in it, and any financial obligations. With all of these factors considered, you can apply them to the skill you want to learn to estimate how time-consuming the process will be.

Good habits to incorporate into your learning process

To learn a new skill as quickly as possible, you have to build healthy habits that will get you closer to your goal. How long it takes all comes down to the amount of effort you’re willing to put into it. To get the best start with online learning, it is important that you choose the right course. Choose something that you’re interested in; have a look through the range of courses we offer and consider how your skill set will enable you to get the most out of each learning plan.

Set specific goals

Having specific goals you can work towards helps with motivation and consistency. If you know what it is that you want to achieve and how you can achieve it then you have a clear path to follow to make sure you stay on track.

For example, if you’re finding it hard to work through your Level 2 Course on Diabetes Care for the Elderly, remember what this qualification will help you achieve. By the end of the course, you’ll have an extensive knowledge of diabetes management that will contribute to a career in the healthcare sector.

Break each step down

It can be extremely overwhelming and disheartening when you only have the bigger picture and you’re not sure how to reach the final destination. In order to successfully learn a new skill, it is best to break it down into small, attainable goals that you can work on each day to build your way up to the final step.

For example, if you want to learn how to do the splits, you could start by learning how to stretch your muscles properly and then how to gain more flexibility in your legs, then working to get closer to the floor each week until you reach your goal. 

Eliminate any distractions

If you are someone who needs a quiet space to learn, then a noisy environment is only going to hinder your process of learning a new skill. Find a quiet place where you can focus and produce your best work. If you learn best surrounded by your peers, get a few friends together or join a club. It may also be beneficial to remove other distractions, such as technology.

Note-taking and music association

Taking notes is one of the most common ways to learn a new skill. By taking notes, you have a physical reference to look back on, which helps you remember information more effectively. It may also be helpful to listen to certain music as you are working on your new skill to help you stay focused or to associate certain sounds with what you have learned for better recall.

Say you’re taking one of our Level 4 Advanced JavaScript Programming courses. With 6 units of information to learn and a piece of assessed coursework to complete, breaking down key parts of the course into shortened notations may help your progress.

Consistent practice 

Learning a new skill takes a lot of time and effort. Working on it for one day, then taking a seven-day break and working on it again the next day, won’t get you very far. In order to see noticeable improvement, you should devote at least an hour or two of your day for practice to see fast results.

Ask for feedback 

If you know someone who is already a pro at the skill you’re trying to learn, then it may be helpful to ask them for feedback on where you can improve and what you’re doing well.

When you complete our QLS Level 2 ‘Introduction to Counselling’ Course, for example, you’ll receive detailed feedback from your course tutor. With guidance from a qualified examiner, you’ll know exactly what’s going well and where you could improve.

Stay patient and persistent 

Even though this post is focused on how to learn a new skill as fast as possible, rushing and overworking yourself isn’t going to get you any closer. If you don’t absorb any of the information or apply it correctly, then you won’t be able to perfect the skill. It’s best to go at a pace you feel comfortable with and stay patient. Remember to also take breaks so you’re not exhausting yourself.

Teach someone what you have learned

One habit that’s helpful in reaching and maintaining a new skill is teaching what you have learned to someone else. This way, you will be able to identify what information you have been able to retain and gain extra practice, as well as help out a friend in the meantime.

How to measure your progress

To measure your progress when learning a new skill, you may find it helpful to keep a learning journal. Write a summary of any new approaches you found that helped you get closer to your goal and how much time you dedicated to practising it so you can use it for future reference.

If your progress can be quantified, learning a new language, for example, you could keep track of how many new words you have learned each day to see how quickly you’re progressing. If your new skill is something practical or physical, it may be helpful to video your progress each day to look back over it and take note of areas you need to improve on next time.