Studying effectively is important because it helps you retain more information, which is important if you want to be able to contemplate the concepts, connect them with other related concepts, and put the concepts into practice. Use the Act of Will to set a goal for your study, to plan, and to direct the psychological functions.
Tips for Studying
- Create a schedule: Plan out a schedule for studying, and stick to it as much as possible. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you have enough time to cover all the material you need to know.
- Use flashcards: Flashcards are a great way to memorize information quickly. Create your own flashcards based on the key concepts you are learning.
- Take breaks: It’s important to take breaks while studying to prevent burnout and increase retention.
- Use the Pomodoro method: Focus for 25 minutes, take a break, then repeat. See: What is Pomodoro Technique.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you practice, the more you will be able to retain the material. Try to use techniques like active recall, repetition and spaced repetition.
- Eliminate Distractions: Find a quiet place to study and eliminate distractions like social media, phone and TV.
- Teach someone else: Teaching someone else the material you are studying is a great way to solidify your own understanding of the material.
- Use the Zettelkasten method: Note-taking that involves organizing and linking individual notes (paper or digital), allowing for easy retrieval and connection of related ideas. It emphasizes the importance of making connections between different pieces of information, rather than simply recording information in isolation. See: Introduction to the Zettelkasten Method.
Resources for Learning about Learning
Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects
This free course teaches effective learning techniques used by experts in various fields, including the brain’s use of different learning modes and memory techniques. It covers strategies for overcoming procrastination and provides tips for mastering difficult subjects. Available in: Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, French.
Also available:
- Learning How To Learn for Youth – A free version of the course for younger learners.
- Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential – A companion course, which is more career-focused.
- Uncommon Sense Teaching – A foundational program based on insights from neuroscience and cognitive psychology.
- Books by Barbara Oakley
Ultralearning: Accelerate Your Career, Master Hard Skills and Outsmart the Competition
A guide on how to master hard skills quickly by incorporating the latest research on effective learning methods and stories of successful self-educated individuals. The book offers powerful strategies to break out of mental ruts and new training methods to help you push through to higher levels of retention. It provides insights on how to organize and execute a plan to learn anything deeply and quickly, without teachers or budget-busting tuition costs.
Vox Stoica has a summary of the book: Ultralearning – How to Rapidly Learn and Master New Skills