Level 60 post!

[darkhelmet]

You guys, I made it to level 60! I thought I would post about it because 1) nobody outside of the WK cult, such as my family, understands and 2) maybe writing this post will help me reflect. So welcome to my journal entry.

I started WK last February, so in all it took me about 13 months. Every day was a bit of a grind, but Sports taught me how to stick with it, even on the days I really didn’t want to . I didn’t know it at the time, but starting WK early-on was probably my smartest decision in regards to learning Japanese.

Goals

I started learning this language not only because of many disparate Japan-related interests, but also as an end in itself. I didn’t realize until after graduating school that I crave in-depth learning. I think Japanese will be a good companion for my lifelong learning journey.

My near-term goal is to switch to reading as my main mode of learning. I remember looking at native material after just learning kana and thinking “This is impossible, I could never read this!” Now I look at native material and think “Man, I really need to work on my vocab!” It’s as if, as you go through WK, the “fog” of being unable to read Kanji slowly lifts until you just comprehend everything, which has been super fulfilling. While I think WK was invaluable for me as a fledgling learner, now I think that using Anki to make the vocab and kanji I look up during reading stick in my brain is the best path forward.

Past that, I plan on taking the JLPT N3 exam in December. Because I also want to use Japanese for work, I will need to at least pass N2, and N3 seems like a reasonable goal for now. Fortunately I’ve been studying grammar since the beginning (~1.5 years ago) starting with the From Zero! series. Now with Bunpro I’m working through the N2 grammar points. I’m hoping that reading will help reinforce what I’ve been learning.

Listening is easily my weakest skill. Maybe it’s because I’m not as into watching anime or because I prefer reading over watching youtube videos for grammar etc. I do conversation practice regularly with native speakers, but I need to find more ways to just practice listening that I enjoy.

Advice

I recommend never missing sleep to hit WK reviews. For me at least, my brain gets dumber when I’m tired Definitely not worth it.

Now I heard there was cake, but I haven’t found any. So I’m off to the grocery store to get some.

[MegaZeroX]

@darkhelmet

I recommend never missing sleep to hit WK reviews. For me at least, my brain gets dumber when I’m tired Definitely not worth it.

What? But how are you supposed to feed the Crabigator if you sleep?

But seriously though, congrats! Look forward to the slowly declining review pile!

[darkhelmet]

I’m so looking forward to it The reviews have been brutal since the Paradise levels.

[Pep95]

Congrats on getting there!

[MrRyansan]

Congrats Dark Helmet!! Way to go!!!

[rwesterhof]

Congrats! Time for cake!!

@darkhelmet

1. nobody outside of the WK cult, such as my family, understands

I relate to this too much… I guess blank stares is all we can expect.
Good luck on the journey to N3 and beyond!

[AmandaBear]

Congratulations, fellow WaniKani Kanji Cultist!
Someday, I hope to be at your level, my friend. May the fruits of your labor be rewarded.
(All hail the Gator)

[KyokaJiro]

Hearty congratulations @darkhelmet san

Yoku Ganbbata

Good luck on your future endeavors

[luismash]

Congratulations!

[Jaredrules]

congrats!!!
I somehow feel like I’m never gonna get there…

[anon65165570]

Congratulations, you totally deserve this cake

Just ignore the fact that this is a wedding cake.

[Aralakh]

Congratulations! You’ve given me inspiration as I started WK at about the end of February this year . Best of luck with your future endeavours on this amazing ride!

[XMPL0]

Congrats! Looking at how long it takes you to finish each level has given me confidence in my speed to get to level 60 by summer 2022! I wish you great luck with those reviews lolol

[alo]

Congratulations!

Love the name, btw

[darkhelmet]

Thank you everyone! I went to the store and got carrot cake to mark the occasion.

Here’s some for you!

[PhantomWraith]

Congratulations!

[yatw938484996]

Ewww… Carrot cake

Jk, enjoy the cake; you’ve earnt it!

[martinbr09]

Congrats. I relate way too much to the dynamic of “I need WK because I know some Japanese but can’t read kanji” and how QUICKLY it shifts to “Wow I recognize all of these kanji but I don’t know what any of this means because I don’t know grammar / vocab.”

[darkhelmet]

Right? I really think our struggle is specific to Crabigator worshippers. Of the vast spectrum of Japanese language learners I’ve met, typically the ones who know as many Kanji are far more advanced learners. That’s what’s brilliant about WK, we have no business knowing this many Kanji so early on, and it puts us at a learning advantage.

[e-me-ri]

Congrats!!! First, I completely understand what you mean about the vocab. ha. that kanji fog is real.

but also, listening to Japanese has always been a struggle for me. (I’m only getting back into my language study after a long sabbatical). I’m not a huge anime fan, so I’ve found that Japanese music a better fit for me. In the last few months, I’ve been listening to the “Top 50 - Japan” playlist of Spotify and creating my own playlist from that. I listen first, and then read the lyrics later! Might be something to think about for you too.