How have you ever felt like the normal studying strategies aren’t enough? Let’s list some of them so we’re both on the same page: Do your homework Go to class Study with friends Participate in class Review your notes after a lecture I wouldn’t say they’re useless. They’re just not Read more…
Difficulties supercharge learning rate. But, (and this is a big but), they have to be the right kind of difficulties. What are they? Let’s start with those that are not: Highlighting Underlining Re-reading Rote memorization We default to those learning strategies, and when we don’t do well in an exam, Read more…
It’s a mistake to think that learning a skill happens during practice. It does to a certain extent, but it is best to view it similarly to how we build muscle. When we lift heavy weights, our muscles go through slight tearing, but they grow bigger and stronger during rest. Read more…
Restudying materials fools us into thinking we are ready for an exam. It’s like going to a fight expecting to win only to be surprised. But, there is a far more superior studying strategy — making your own tests by asking lots of questions. Before we dive into how and Read more…
Summary: It takes 6 hours or more to develop a motor skill after a practice session. Practicing the same way over and over again may not strengthen a skill. Slight variations during practice sessions may help you learn at least 5x faster. The protocol looks like this: Practice normally. Then, Read more…