Here is the 411 on Computers for the Beginners
Here is the 411 on Computers for the Beginners
So you just got a computer and you do not know how to work it yet. It sounds like a terrifying, mountainous task to accomplish. While a computer is so vast and intimidating with its abilities, tasks, commands, buttons, and whatever, it can seem impossible to know how to work your new computation machine, but do not fret, amigos! Here are a few tips and tricks that can help you figure out your computer and hopefully reduce some of the cognitive dissonance you may be experiencing.
The first tip: Relax. Everybody learns at their own pace and forcing yourself to learn something too quickly only causes you stress and anxiety. You know your learning style and so you know the best way to present the information to yourself the best. Typically, people learn best at half hour to 45-minute increments with a small break (around 15 minutes) in between. So, if you do not know how you learn best, why not try that style?
The second tip: You are not alone. If you need help, ask for it. There are a lot of outlets for you. For starters, think of any coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, etc that may know how to use computers, especially if it is a similar operating system as you (Windows if you use a PC & OS X if you use a Mac; PCs= Samsung, Sony, HP, Compaq, Dell, etc & Mac= Apple).
The third tip: Set milestones. Just like with most things you learn, you should be setting milestones about how much new information you want to have learned by a certain time. Maybe on the first day, you just want to know how turn on your computer, charge it (if it is a laptop), use the mouse, etc. Then by two weeks you may want to know how to use Word or send and receive emails. Again, those are just suggestions, go at your own pace.
The fourth tip: Practice, practice, practice. If your computer is really intimidating and things seem so overwhelming, try doing things more than once. Michael Jordan never got to be who he was by taking one practice shot and then being done for the day; MJ went out there everyday and practiced his shots until he was dead tired. Now, I am not saying you need to practice things for 12 hours a day, I was merely giving an example of why practice is important.
Now, go tackle your computer (not literally, of course) and do not let it get the best of you. Remember, it is only a machine & cannot hurt you. You bought it and can destroy the sucker with one swing of a bat. It is meant to help you, not stress you out.
So you just got a computer and you do not know how to work it yet. It sounds like a terrifying, mountainous task to accomplish. While a computer is so vast and intimidating with its abilities, tasks, commands, buttons, and whatever, it can seem impossible to know how to work your new computation machine, but do not fret, amigos! Here are a few tips and tricks that can help you figure out your computer and hopefully reduce some of the cognitive dissonance you may be experiencing.
The first tip: Relax. Everybody learns at their own pace and forcing yourself to learn something too quickly only causes you stress and anxiety. You know your learning style and so you know the best way to present the information to yourself the best. Typically, people learn best at half hour to 45-minute increments with a small break (around 15 minutes) in between. So, if you do not know how you learn best, why not try that style?
The second tip: You are not alone. If you need help, ask for it. There are a lot of outlets for you. For starters, think of any coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, etc that may know how to use computers, especially if it is a similar operating system as you (Windows if you use a PC & OS X if you use a Mac; PCs= Samsung, Sony, HP, Compaq, Dell, etc & Mac= Apple).
The third tip: Set milestones. Just like with most things you learn, you should be setting milestones about how much new information you want to have learned by a certain time. Maybe on the first day, you just want to know how turn on your computer, charge it (if it is a laptop), use the mouse, etc. Then by two weeks you may want to know how to use Word or send and receive emails. Again, those are just suggestions, go at your own pace.
The fourth tip: Practice, practice, practice. If your computer is really intimidating and things seem so overwhelming, try doing things more than once. Michael Jordan never got to be who he was by taking one practice shot and then being done for the day; MJ went out there everyday and practiced his shots until he was dead tired. Now, I am not saying you need to practice things for 12 hours a day, I was merely giving an example of why practice is important.
Now, go tackle your computer (not literally, of course) and do not let it get the best of you. Remember, it is only a machine & cannot hurt you. You bought it and can destroy the sucker with one swing of a bat. It is meant to help you, not stress you out.
