A survey of 2,000 adults has found that eight in 10 Brits believe lessons learned in the 'university of life' are much more important than anything taught in the classroom. More than two thirds (67%) confirmed the most useful skills they have today were learned away from the classroom and out in the real world.
On average, Brits have acquired 22 new skills for navigating life since leaving full-time education and entering adult life on their own. These include understanding how to use brand new technology (55%), cooking a meal from scratch (48%), managing their money (60%), and preparing for a nerve-wracking job interview (56%).
Self-taught skills dominate everyday life
The poll found that the knowledge more than half of people (53%) rely on for practical everyday life is actually self-taught. Many are also keen to keep expanding their skills base, seeking to learn or improve their ability to tackle basic DIY (16%), car maintenance (13%), and household repairs (13%).
A further 77% wished they had been taught more practical lessons in school, as 85% said learning through experience has taught them things formal education never could. Nearly nine in 10 (87%) said they were pushed into learning a new skill because they suddenly needed to learn how to do something by themselves.
Life events prompt new learning
Situations that prompted this included leaving the nest and moving away from home (26%) and taking the leap to start a new job (27%). They have also had to take matters into their own hands when facing an unexpected problem or emergency (37%) or buying their own home (29%).
Perhaps as a result, 64% are confident in their ability to teach themselves new everyday know-how as they navigate adulthood. As 87% agreed you never really stop learning new things to help you along in life.
Digital tools and trial and error
When it comes to gaining skills, many will turn to online tutorials (50%) and digital tools (36%) as key fountains of knowledge. This is likely because nearly three quarters (73%) said having information, tutorials and guidance readily available has made it easier for them to learn something new.
However, 89% admitted they have searched online for instructions on how to do something as they felt they “should already know”, while 56% have used an app or digital tool to help. Alongside technology, trial and error (46%), asking for advice from mum and partners (37%) was also heavily relied upon when developing new know-how.
Mistakes make up an important part of the process, with 50% believing they have learned more from getting something wrong and trying again than from advice from someone they know (43%). Charlie Nordfeldt, from Samsung UK and Ireland, said: “We know learning doesn’t stop when formal education ends. From mastering a recipe to managing money or developing a new skill for work, people are constantly finding new ways to tackle the unfamiliar.”
