How to Be an Educated Person

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An educated person is someone who understands that education is a lifelong process. Therefore, to become one, you must constantly work on expanding your mind. Educated people are literate, cultured and conscientious. They know what’s going on in the world, appreciate art, and carry themselves calmly and comfortably.

1. 

   Follow the daily news. Find a newspaper you like and read it every day. With the advent of the Internet, this has become a very easy task. Reading the local news is not enough, so try to absorb regional, national and international news as well. You want to know as much as possible about the rest of the world. You can even try reading several different newspapers. Maybe you should also read the comments in the news. Knowing the different opinions is important to create an overview of what is happening in the world.

   • You should read a variety of publications. Don’t limit yourself to one country’s newspaper. Here are some notable international publications:[1]

     • The India Times (India)

     • Le Monde (France)

     • Asahi Shimbun (Japan)

     • The New York Times (United States)

     • The Guardian (UK)

     • Washington Post (United States)

2. 

   Take notes on key areas. Take notes on areas of the world that interest you. These notes can be a solid foundation for your further research. For example, let’s say you just read an article about ISIS. If you write down the details of the countries that ISIS is occupying, such as Iraq and Libya, then you can learn more about how the current situation came to be.

   • Stay critical. Don’t necessarily take everything you read at face value. Spot biases and omissions from different newspapers instead of just collecting talking points.

3. 

   Listen to the news on the radio. Tune in to a radio news broadcast. Both the BBC and NPR are good places to get good news from the world. Since both are publicly funded, they may not be as biased as other news sources. [2]
   The news radio is also useful as you will receive instructions on how to pronounce the names of important regions and people.

4. 

   Read current magazines. Magazines like Harper’s Magazine, The Atlantic, The Economist, Der Spiegel, and The New Yorker are good places to find out what’s going on in the world. You may be able to find copies at your local library. If not, you may need to subscribe to the magazines you like. These periodicals will give you details about events you’ve read about or heard about in the news. They often publish full length articles that focus on a particular region or topic.

   • These magazines also have online versions. Browse your archives and don’t just focus on the current news. A work on classical music from the 1930s may lead you to a composer you’ve never heard of. The more of these articles you read, the more your general knowledge will expand.
   • The writers for these magazines often write books as well. These books provide even more information about the topics you have read about.

1. 

   Go to museums. Look at the artwork and engage with what you see. Take your time with a few pieces. As you look at these works of art, think about what makes them special and unique. This will take time. Art appreciation involves unhurried contemplation.[3]

   • Approach each subject of art using different lenses. An image is different from a photograph. Don’t look at a contemporary work in the same way you would look at a classic. A more recent oil painting deserves a different consideration than one from three hundred years ago. Don’t forget that periods are important, just like movements.
   • Start browsing. The guide will convey important details about the significant works of art. Listen carefully, even if you have seen the piece before. You may learn something new about a piece of art or an artist.
   • Make sure they have handouts. They can give you important information about the museum’s collection.

2. 

   Read literature. Immerse yourself in contemporary and classic literature. Fiction can help you become more empathetic by showing the perspectives of a wide range of people. [4]

   • Start with classical literature. For example, Plutarch’s Lives is a collection of stories about Greek and Roman men who lived interesting lives. Each story examines the positive and negative qualities of these people.[5]
     Observe the characters in these stories and absorb the lessons contained in these stories.

3. 

   Read philosophy. Philosophy will give you the tools to discuss issues of morality and free will. By reading philosophical books, you will be able to examine your own life and thoughts more clearly. This can help in decision making.

   • Read the foundational works of philosophy. It begins with Plato’s Republic. This seminal work consists of a dialogue between Socrates and his students as they try to figure out what a perfect society would consist of. As they design their hypothetical city, they talk about free will, morality, and beliefs.

4. 

   Take copious notes. When you read these books, keep a notepad handy so you can jot down notes about the themes and ideas in these texts. You don’t want to get bogged down in every detail, but writing down the most important parts of what you’ve read is a great way to avoid getting lost as you tackle these important jobs.

5. 

   Watch movies. See if you can find some art films. There are many excellent movies in circulation. Take the opportunity and take a look at some of them. If it helps, try to pick a director and look at as much of his filmography as possible. Then read reviews about the movies you’ve seen. Look for discussions of how that director chose to shoot and edit his films.

   • Read reviews. You might like magazines like Sight and Sound and Cahiers du Cinema (in French). Both have reviews and essays on contemporary auteur cinema. They also publish articles by film scholars on older classic films. The AV Club (online) is also a great source for movies old and new. Individual reviewer websites can also be helpful.

6. 

   Listen to music. If you don’t already listen to different genres of music, try adopting a type of music you haven’t heard before. For example, if you mainly listen to rock music, try listening to classical music. Or vice versa. It targets a wide range of musical tastes. This shows openness and willingness to investigate.

1. 

   Talk to relatively well educated people. Start conversations with those who have learned a lot about life through school or work. Try to understand how they acquired their knowledge. Ask them questions about topics you don’t know much about.

   • Talk to people from different professions. Education develops in different ways. An educated person understands this. Your mechanic can have as much knowledge as your teacher.

2. 

   Go to public lectures. Find out if a scholar or writer is speaking in your neighborhood. Go to the chat and listen to what they have to say. There is often a question and answer session after the talk. You will not only learn about the topic, but you will also be able to ask questions directly to the teacher.

   • Take accurate notes during class. That way, it will be easier for you to ask good, thought-provoking questions that allow for a thought-provoking discussion. Don’t get tired of writing each word. Highlight only the key concepts and ideas.

3. 

   Keep an open mind. During your conversations, you may find that you disagree with several people. He tried to understand his point of view. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything you hear. This would be stupid. However, a polite person does not fire someone for disagreeing. In fact, arguments and discussions show that he is willing to represent ideas that differ from his own. They help you develop your own point of view.

   • If you don’t agree with a perspective, you could say something like, “I see why you’re serious. However, I have a different opinion.”

1. 

   Keep your composure. One of the characteristics of a polite person is a calm demeanor. [6]
   Don’t get angry easily. For example, don’t start yelling because someone made you angry. Instead, react calmly and try to resolve the issue. You don’t necessarily have to hide your emotions. You may be angry, but don’t let that feeling affect the way you act.

   • If you feel yourself getting angry, try to focus. Meditation is a good way to do this.

2. 

   Speak in a calm tone. Don’t raise your voice. You need to communicate, but you don’t want to be the loudest person in the room, as that can make it sound like you’re trying to get attention. You don’t want to be too quiet, though. If you are very quiet, you can appear shy. An educated person will try to establish a balance in her speech.

3. 

   Be humble. An educated person is polite and kind. Avoid boasting and arrogance. Bring your point of view to the conversation, but do it selectively. You don’t have to flaunt your knowledge in every social situation.

4. 

   Asking questions. When you don’t understand something, ask for an explanation. Don’t be afraid to do this. Show that you are willing to learn. It is better to make mistakes while learning something new than to remain ignorant for fear of embarrassing yourself.

   • A curious mind is intelligent. If you don’t understand something, say “Could you re-explain your last point?”

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Source: tiengtrunghaato.edu.vn