Shankland had a successful loan spell at St Mirren last season and manager Alex Rae brought him back after he was told by Dons boss Derek McInnes that he wasn't likely to get first team football.
And the young striker believes that the experience he will gain from playing in the Championship with Saints will be of huge benefit to his progression.
He said: "I went up to Aberdeen and did pre-season as best as I could, I played in a couple of games and scored a couple of goals.
"I thought I could maybe get a chance but when the gaffer spoke to me he said he had brought in some quality strikers and I might not get the opportunities that I would want so it might be better for me to go out and get a regular game.
"I spoke to the gaffer (Alex Rae) before I left in the summer and he said if he would be interested in taking me back.
"I need to be on the pitch, even when I'm having bad games I'm learning from them.
"The mistakes I make I'll look to improve on in the next game, the more I'm out on the pitch the better. I don't think watching games is going to be the best for anyone."
Source: Barrhead News