Something that really annoys me, and that I encounter over and over again in the Japanese learning community, is people who act like they speak from a place of authority and claim that the way they learned Japanese is the only legitimate method.
So many people giving advice don't consider that others may have different talents or goals when learning the language.
I have seen countless articles and comments saying things like, "Don't bother learning individual Kanji, it's a waste of time," or "Don't bother with learning mnemonics or radicals, it'll just slow you down."
Personally, I simply cannot remember a Kanji if I don't consciously study its meanings and radicals. And coming up with a fun story or mnemonic is the most enjoyable and rewarding part of learning the language for me!
I can totally see how other people may have very different experiences, but I would never tell someone that the way they're enjoying learning is wrong or inefficient. If someone told me they're learning vocab by studying the dictionary in alphabetical order I might raise an eyebrow, but if they're having a blast doing that, who am I to judge?
The only thing worse than learning a bit inefficiently is quitting altogether because of burnout from sticking to a study method that simply doesn't work for them.
Of course, it's good to share tips and experiences and keep an open mind about areas for improvement, but I cannot stand the 'as a matter of fact', smug tone some people use when telling others that what they're doing is "wrong."
Just learn in the way that’s most motivating and fun for you! It's a marathon, not a sprint.
by selib