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Learn more with less effort. 
Let's talk about learning. How do we learn effectively?
Hint: It's not 'studying hard'.
Let's talk about it!
THREAD
Marty Lobdell gave a speech to a group of students about this exact topic.
In this thread, I'll summarize his points such that they are easier to take action on.
In this thread, I'll summarize his points such that they are easier to take action on.
1) When you study something, take regular breaks.
Studying for 6 hours in a row is not effective.
After 25-30 minutes, your focus starts to drift from the material. You don't want that! So you take a short break.
5 minutes is enough to get you going again.
30 min on, 5 min off.
Studying for 6 hours in a row is not effective.
After 25-30 minutes, your focus starts to drift from the material. You don't want that! So you take a short break.
5 minutes is enough to get you going again.
30 min on, 5 min off.
2) Reward yourself for studying.
You've done something good. Make sure that your brain knows this, too.
Have a treat planned for yourself.
An example of a treat could be to just do something you like doing.
You've done something good. Make sure that your brain knows this, too.
Have a treat planned for yourself.
An example of a treat could be to just do something you like doing.
3) Have a dedicated study area - or a lamp.
The place where you study is incredibly important.
Why? Because of environmental cues.
In short, don't study in a place where the primary function isn't studying.
If you can't get a dedicated study area, do this instead
The place where you study is incredibly important.
Why? Because of environmental cues.
In short, don't study in a place where the primary function isn't studying.
If you can't get a dedicated study area, do this instead
Get a lamp.
Only turn it on once you've removed all distractions and have everything you need ready.
Only use it for studying - nothing else.
When you start losing your edge and you need to take a break, turn off the lamp, get up, and take your break.
After, turn it on again.
Only turn it on once you've removed all distractions and have everything you need ready.
Only use it for studying - nothing else.
When you start losing your edge and you need to take a break, turn off the lamp, get up, and take your break.
After, turn it on again.
4) Active learning is key.
The more in your studying you are, the more you learn.
Don't just read something over and over.
Learning concepts and facts require different techniques.
Let's talk about them.
The more in your studying you are, the more you learn.
Don't just read something over and over.
Learning concepts and facts require different techniques.
Let's talk about them.
4.1) Learning concepts
Try to explain something in your own words.
If you can do that, you know it.
If you don't, you now know what you need to work on.
Try to explain something in your own words.
If you can do that, you know it.
If you don't, you now know what you need to work on.
4.2) Learning facts
Use mnemonics.
There are three types:
- Acronyms: grouping letters to remember facts.
- Coin sayings: like "righty tighty, lefty loosey."
- Interactive Images: Mental images that you associate with what you're trying to learn. The weirder the better.
Use mnemonics.
There are three types:
- Acronyms: grouping letters to remember facts.
- Coin sayings: like "righty tighty, lefty loosey."
- Interactive Images: Mental images that you associate with what you're trying to learn. The weirder the better.
5) Recognition vs. Recollection
Highlighting books is not a great way to learn.
If you go back to something you've highlighted and read it again, you might think that you remember it.
It's most likely recognition - not recollection.
How do you know if you remember something?
Highlighting books is not a great way to learn.
If you go back to something you've highlighted and read it again, you might think that you remember it.
It's most likely recognition - not recollection.
How do you know if you remember something?
If you can look at something, go to the next thing, read it, and then stop and go back to the one before, look up in the sky and in your own words say what that was about — then you know it.
6) Sleep!
You undo good studying by not sleeping enough.
When you sleep, you enter REM sleep about every hour and a half.
That's when you consolidate your knowledge; you transfer it from long-term to permanent storage.
If you don't get enough sleep, this won't happen.
You undo good studying by not sleeping enough.
When you sleep, you enter REM sleep about every hour and a half.
That's when you consolidate your knowledge; you transfer it from long-term to permanent storage.
If you don't get enough sleep, this won't happen.
7) Recitation
Teaching someone else is the best way to learn.
Don't have someone to teach?
You can speak it out loud, or you can write it down, in your own words.
"80% reciting, 20% reading" is a good rule of thumb.
Teaching someone else is the best way to learn.
Don't have someone to teach?
You can speak it out loud, or you can write it down, in your own words.
"80% reciting, 20% reading" is a good rule of thumb.
8) The SQ3R Method
First, you survey and question.
Go through the entire chapter. Look at pictures. Look at what stands out to you.
Ask you do, ask questions.
Then read and recite - like we just talked about.
Review the material to make sure you haven't misunderstood.
First, you survey and question.
Go through the entire chapter. Look at pictures. Look at what stands out to you.
Ask you do, ask questions.
Then read and recite - like we just talked about.
Review the material to make sure you haven't misunderstood.
That's it!Follow those principles and you're far ahead of others in terms of learning.
Want to read more? I explain it more in-depth here: https://bagerbach.com/blog/summary-of-study-less-study-smart-by-marty-lobdell/
