Describe an Important Thing You Learned Not at School or College
- When did you learn it?
- How did you learn it?
- Why did you think it was important to learn it?
- How did you feel when you learnt it?
Okay, so I’ve learned a lot of practical skills outside of my formal education, but the one that really stands out for me is learning how to cook… and I don’t just mean basic dal-roti or Maggi. I’m talking about learning how to properly cook complex, foreign dishes.
This all started during the 2020 lockdown. Like everyone else, I was stuck at home here in Moga. We couldn’t go out to restaurants or meet friends, and frankly, I was getting incredibly bored. I was watching a lot of international shows and movies on Netflix, and the food always looked amazing. I remember watching a Korean drama, and they were eating this incredible-looking dish, and I just thought, “I have to try making that.”
So, that’s how I learned—my primary teacher was YouTube. I went down a complete rabbit hole. I wanted to make authentic Bibimbap. Our Indian cooking is often based on andaaza, you know, a bit of this, a bit of that. But this… this was different. It was like a science project.
I found a few videos by a famous Korean chef, Maangchi. I must have watched her video 10 times. I had to learn how to julienne carrots exactly right, how to blanch spinach for the perfect time, how to marinate the meat, and most importantly, how to make the gochujang sauce. I had to search online just to find where to buy that sauce in Punjab!
I think it was so important to learn because it taught me patience and precision. It’s a skill school never teaches you. My first attempt took me three hours. My kitchen was a complete disaster. But when I finally assembled that bowl, it looked exactly like the picture.
I felt an incredible sense of pride and accomplishment. It was a skill I learned all by myself. It was also the perfect stress-buster. During that crazy, uncertain time, just focusing on chopping vegetables and following precise steps was a form of meditation. It taught me that I can learn any practical skill if I just have a good internet connection and the patience to follow through.
Part 3 Questions: Describe an Important Thing You Learned Not at School or College
Question 1: What do children learn from their parents?
Arre, they learn everything, but I think they learn the most important things. Parents are our first teachers. They teach us our values, what we call sanskaar in India. They teach us how to speak, our mother tongue, and our culture. They teach us the difference between right and wrong, how to be honest, and, most importantly, how to respect our elders. A school will teach you physics, but your parents teach you how to be a good human being, which is the foundation of everything.
Question 2: Are some children well-behaved because of their parents?
Absolutely, 100%. Children are like sponges; they copy everything they see. If a child’s parents are polite, disciplined, and respectful to others, the child will naturally pick up those qualities. The atmosphere in the house, the mahaul, is the most important factor. If the home environment is calm and loving, the child will be secure and well-behaved. On the other hand, if parents are always shouting or being disrespectful, you can’t expect the child to be a perfect angel.
Question 3: Is it necessary for adults to learn new things?
It’s not just necessary; it’s essential for survival today. The world is changing so fast. If you stop learning, you get left behind. This is especially true for technology. Our parents and grandparents had to learn how to use smartphones and WhatsApp just to stay connected. In the job market, you have to constantly “upskill.” If your skills are 10 years old, you will become irrelevant. Learning new things just keeps your mind active and sharp; it stops you from getting stuck in a rut.
Question 4: What are the options for learning new things?
Today, the options are just endless. The internet is the biggest school in the world. You have YouTube for every practical skill, from cooking to fixing a car. You have online course websites like Coursera and Udemy, where you can learn coding or psychology from top universities. You can listen to podcasts while you’re driving. And, of course, you can still go the traditional way—read books, join a local hobby class for dance or painting, or simply learn from a friend who knows a skill.
Question 5: Is learning new things important for our physical and mental health?
Yes, definitely for both. For mental health, it’s like exercise for the brain. Learning something new creates new connections in your brain, which improves memory and can help prevent age-related decline. It gives you a great sense of accomplishment and confidence, which is a major mood booster. For physical health, it’s also connected. If you learn a new sport, or like me, learn to cook new healthy dishes, it directly benefits your body. But even the mental act of learning keeps you engaged and happy, which reduces stress, and lower stress is always good for your physical health.
