Science-backed methods to keep in mind when you're learning new things

Just forming chunks is not sufficient. You have to maintain them. The more you look after the chunks, the longer they last.

While reviewing material, recall it instead of just reading it passively. Try and recall in a different setting than where you studied it.

Whenever you face a problem, take a break. Sleep. Clean your room. Do anything except work on the problem. 

This takes your brain into its “diffuse mode” — this mode works on the things you have been focusing on in the background. Come back to the problem later.

A procrastinator is a person who has a HABIT of getting distracted by things.

Break this habit by eliminating distractions. Another option is the Cue-Routine where you take notice what you do in response to certain distracting cues ,and then make sure to resist it.

Parkinson’s second law: Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.

Setting a micro deadline for daily tasks holds your brain accountable to the tick of the clock.

The #1 thing you need to do to correctly memorize concepts is understand them. To successfully understand something, visualizing it is key. 

Metaphors will help you understand and recall more easily. 

You take something obvious from your memory, and see how it is related to the new concept you are trying to learn. 

People learn when they are self-motivated, not when someone comes in front of them for four hours a week, and tells something to them.

Start learning what you want, since that is what actually matters — that is what you must care about.

Transfer learning is the ability to take what you learn in one domain and apply it to a new skill.

Learn to apply old skills to new skills and vice versa.

Lack of sleep affects memory and recall. 

Sleep helps your brain get into the diffuse mode and thus gets creative ideas about your ongoing projects cooking.