Learning How to Learn

Learning how to become an active learner is the most important attribute a student can gain. Here are some tips to become a better learner.

“Focused” and “Diffused” Modes

Whenever you are learning, there are times in which you are focused and there are other phases in which you may allow your mind to wander. This unfocused, or diffused, mode is just as valuable as the focused mode in allowing your brain to LEARN something. So a good way to learn something is while learning : take breaks, allow yourself to think about other things, and allow yourself plenty of time in both modes.

One way of making sure you’re taking regular breaks is to follow the Pomodoro technique. This is where you set yourself 25 minutes to do something specific or learn something and then take a break for 5 minutes. The work and break time lengths can vary based on what works best for you. However, what you need to realize is that the important thing to consider is that you have regular breaks.

Chunking

This is the idea of breaking what you want to learn into concepts. The aim of this is to learn how you can break a concept in such a manner that they each become like a well-known puzzle piece. In order to master a concept, you not only need to know the specific concept but you need to know how it fits into the bigger picture.

One step-by-step method to achieve this concept could be to first perform survey and priming which involves scanning a book or the syllabus of a course, for example, to get a general idea of the bigger picture and then observe an example after which you could try to do it yourself. And, finally, do it again and again in different contexts.

Beware of Illusions of Competence

There are various ways that can make us feel like we have “learned” a concept. For example, looking at a solution and thinking that you know how to arrive at that solution is one of the most common illusions of competence in learning. On the other hand, brief notes that summarize keys concepts are much more effective to actually make sure you have learnt something. So make sure you are not falling in this trap and keep your process of learning in action until you can safely know that you have grasped a concept.

Recall

A good way to test your knowledge is to practice information retrieval process. Take a couple minutes to summarize or recall material you are trying to learn. It goes a long way to taking something from short-term memory to long-term learning. Even recalling material in different physical environments can help you grasp the material independent of any physical cues that your brain may have.

Bite-Sized Testing

In order to avoid or break through illusions of competence, you should test yourself as you’re encountering new material. Recall is a simple example of this mini-testing.

Over-Learning

The main takeaway on this point is not to spend too much time in one sitting going over the same material repeatedly. Spread out a learning process over many sessions and over many different modes of learning.

A good technique would be to simply set aside 30-45 minutes every day for each new thing you are trying to learn or learn in more depth.This can enable you to have a lasting learning and also is a more achievable goal to inspire you to continue learning.

Interleaving

Once you have a basic understanding of what you are trying to learn, interleaving can be used to help you master the concepts. This concept requires you to practise using the various things that you have learnt by applying different techniques to different problems that can be solved by whatever you have been learning. Applying your knowledge is such a manner can solidify your understanding of the concepts by learning how to choose to apply them in various situations. Know when to apply a particular concept is as important as knowing how.

Metaphors and Analogies

As Albert Einstein once said "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."

So, try to make a deliberate effort to teach what you learn to someone else and, in doing so, you will likely be forced to explain concepts with relatable metaphors and analogies that can make complex things easier to understand by making them more relatable to things you already understand.

Study Groups / Teamwork

This method of learning has proven to be most beneficial to maintain continued progress. However, this can be most effective if the group learning something together, holds each other accountable.

No matter what or where you are learning, you don’t have to learn alone. In fact, it is the uniqueness of the people with which you learn and the discussions you have with these people that makes what you learn unforgettable.

The content for this blog is based on the article published here:https://medium.com/learn-love-code/learnings-from-learning-how-to-learn-19d149920dc4