A poll of 2,000 adults found that more than half of people (53%) rely on self-taught knowledge for practical everyday life. More than two thirds (67%) confirmed the most useful skills they have learnt over the years were developed away from the classroom and out in the real world.
Self-taught skills dominate adult life
On average, adults have acquired 22 new skills for navigating life since leaving full-time education. These include understanding how to use brand new technology (55%), cooking a meal from scratch (48%), managing money (60%), and preparing for a nerve-wracking job interview (56%).
Nearly seven in 10 said the most useful skills they have were learned outside the classroom. The research was commissioned by Samsung to mark the launch of its Galaxy Tab S12 Series, including Note Assist to help summarise notes and aid with learning.
Desire for more practical education
Many are keen to keep expanding what they know, excited 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 practical life skills 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. Situations that prompted this included moving away from home (26%), starting a new job (27%), facing an unexpected problem or emergency (37%), or buying their own home (29%).
Confidence and learning methods
As a result, 64% are confident in their ability to teach themselves new everyday know-how as they navigate adulthood. Nearly nine in 10 (87%) agreed you never really stop learning new things to help you along in life.
When it comes to gaining skills, many will turn to online videos and step-by-step tutorials (50%) and digital tools (36%) as key sources of knowledge. This is likely because nearly three quarters (73%) said having this guidance readily available has made it easier for them to quickly learn something new.
However, 89% admitted they have searched online for instructions on how to do something they felt they “should already know”, while 56% have used an app or digital tool to help find answers. Alongside technology, trial and error (46%) and asking for advice from mum and partners (37%) were also heavily relied upon when developing new skills.
Mistakes make up an important part of the process, with exactly half believing they have learned more from getting something wrong and trying again than from advice from someone they know (43%).
