The Feynman Technique: How to Learn Anything Faster and More Efficiently

This means that if you are able to explain a complex concept in simple terms, you have a good understanding of the concept at hand. Doing this will also help you recognize your problem areas or areas of confusion, because this will be where you either get stuck when explaining the concept or where you have to resort to using complex terminology.

Here are the four core steps used in the Feynman Technique to accomplish your learning goals.

Write the concept as a heading on a blank piece of paper or notebook page.

After choosing the concept, write down everything that you already know about the subject on your paper. Think of every small piece of information that you can recall about the subject or have learned in the past. Keep this sheet handy to continue to write down what you learn.

Explain the concept using your own words, pretending that you are teaching it to someone else. Make sure that you use plain, simple language, without limiting your teaching to simply stating a definition. Put yourself up to the challenge of explaining an example or two of the subject to make sure that you can apply the concept to real life.