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Science-backed methods to keep in mind when you're learning new things
Take it easy
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.
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Just start, break the initial barrier
Every task has a certain Activation Energy (AE), where you initiate certain steps in order to start a task.
Reducing the Activation Energy of new habits you want to form will make it is easier to get started.
If you want to exercise, have your shoes and weights ready the previous night.
Practice chunking
A memory chunk is a solid connection in your mind that relates various bits and pieces of information.
Focus on the concept you want to form a chunk of. Write down the basic ideas of what the concept is all about. Build up from these fundamentals to finally create a chunk.
Learn, Practice, Recall — Repeat
While reviewing material, recall it instead of just reading it passively. Try and recall in a different setting than where you studied it.
Take it easy
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.
Understand your procrastination
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.
Set an ending time for tasks
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.
Use visual and spatial memories
The #1 thing you need to do to correctly memorize concepts is understand them. To successfully understand something, visualizing it is key.
Use metaphors and stories
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.
Learn what you want
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.
Intersection of skills
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.
Sleep
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.
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Key Ideas
Learning how to learn
Learning how to learn is a meta-skill. It is a critical skill for everyone who needs to pick up and master new concepts frequently.
Understanding what is learning and how our memory works wil...
Learning skills
Learning how to learn is critical for everyone. Most of us have to deal with a changing world and to learn how to manage tons of new information.
However, most of our learning methods are outdated and far from optimal. It may even be giving us an illusion of learning, like re-reading and highlighting that don't provide proper feedback to show what you haven't learned.
Focused and Diffuse Mode
Focused and diffuse modes provide two models for how we develop, elaborate, deepen and broaden connections. Both methods are important.
- The focused mode of learning is about bringing related concepts together into a unit, called a chunk.
- The diffuse mode operates through a wider net of connecting general ideas across different fields. We use this diffuse mode while we sleep, exercise or daydream.
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Key Ideas
Say it out loud
Learning and memory benefit from active involvement. When you add speaking to it, the content becomes more defined in long-term memory and more memorable.
Take notes by hand
Most of us can type very fast, but research shows writing your notes by hand will allow you to learn more.
Taking notes by hand enhances both comprehension and retention.
Chunk your study sessions
Studying over a period of time is more effective than waiting until the last minute.
Distributed practice works because each time you try to remember something, the memory becomes harder to forget.
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Ditch Your Learning Style
Learning styles (visual, auditory etc.) have actually little impact on our ability to learn.
The best way to learn depends on what you’re trying to learn in the first place. The ...
Find Meaning In Learning
If you try to force yourself to just memorize random facts, you’re likely to forget them.
We will most likely remember only the information that was meaningful to us, that we’ve been able to connect to our lives and our experiences.
Learn by Doing
We learn best when we perform the tasks we’re trying to learn.
No matter how good your grades were at college, most of your learning takes place once you enter the workplace and start applying what you've learned.
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