How to Understand What You're Trying to Learn to Retain More - Deepstash

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Understanding

Understanding

Understanding a subject is like having a mental model of that subject in your mind. And when you understand something, it is easier to retain it.

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277 reads

Active Recall

Active Recall

Active recall is when you're testing youself.

  • Testing yourself is part of the learning process.
  • At the end of every paragraphs, stop and ask yourself, “What are the key concepts from what I just read?”

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197 reads

Note-taking

Note-taking

Studies found that hand written notes are better than typed written notes.

  • Handwriting takes more time which leads you to only writing the most important things.
  • Cornell Note-taking System: one side is for questions and the other side is for the actual notes (the answer to the question).

Know what works for you. If you think typing is best for you, then learn how to take note effectively using that system.

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163 reads

Scoping The Subject

Scoping The Subject

Understanding where a topic fits in the wider picture.

Ali Abdaal, a doctor and a YouTuber, likes to say, “Don't miss the forest from the trees.”

What this phrase means is that don't get too focused on a certain topic without understanding where it fits in the overall view. See it in the bird's eye view rather than in the worm's eye view to comprehend it better.

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163 reads

Feynman Technique

Feynman Technique

Feynman technique: being able to explain something or teach to a friend or to a 5-year-old what you've just learned.

After learning a topic, ask yourself:

  • Does this makes sense?
  • Could I explain it to a 5-year-old?

Tips:

  1. Use simple words in explaining
  2. Drill down to the essence or be direct to the point

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179 reads

CURATED BY

loveanghelarosa

A life-long learner, a writer, an artist, and a BS Psychology student

CURATOR'S NOTE

These ideas came from a skillshare class I recently took titled “How to Study for Exams - An Evidence-Based Masterclass” by Ali Abdaal. The class were divided into 3 sections namely 1) Understanding, 2) Remembering, and 3) Focusing. In this quick deepstash idea, I will try to summarize or simplify the 1st section: Understanding.

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