What is the most effective way to learn?

Credits: boingboing

THE BASICS

1. There are two modes of thinking: Focused and Diffuse
Focused mode happens when you work on a problem intently, such as when taking a test or really concentrating on memorising something. You use most of your working memory for this mode of thinking.

Diffuse mode is thinking behind the scene. Say you encountered a difficult math problem you just can't solve even after a long time, so you take a break. While you are taking a break, your brain doesn't stop trying to solve the problem -- it will keep on working, without you even realising it. If you've seen how some people come out from hot shower all excited because they think they just had a brilliant breakthrough, it's diffuse mode.

Neither is better than the other; they are useful in different settings. If you want to be a better learner, you need to be aware of and know how to use both efficiently.

2. Chunking
Chunking is a process whereby you try to make sense of something complex by breaking it down and working on smaller units ("chunks"). For example, in learning a new language, you learn the phrases, grammars, vocabs, etc that would help you construct complex sentences. Had you tried to form a complex sentence right from the get go, it would have been much more difficult, because everything seems foreign. Chunking makes difficult subjects more manageable.

Another benefit to chunking is that it can help you in future chunking, even when you are learning something completely different. For instance, some songs are used as mnemonic device to memorise periodic table. Polyglots all around the world also agree that the more languages they know, the easier it is to learn yet another new language. The chunks they've accummulated from their previous learnt languages help in the chunking process of the new language.

3. Spaced repetition
Instead of reading and memorising the textbook 20x in a day for the test tomorrow, it's much better to spread out the 20x throughout the month before the test. Why? By interweaving the learning over a longer period of time, you move the material from short term memory to long term memory. This consolidation period happens when you sleep -- so sleep! Sacrificing sleep the night before tests/presentation is counterproductive.

4. Procrastination
Learning is painful (and also fun!) -- your brain wants to avoid feeling pain because it's uncomfortable. The solution it came up with is to prioritise short term gain as opposed to long term benefits (which requires the painful work). That's why instead of reading the textbook, you watch cat videos.

The key is to realise two things:
A. The pain is only in the beginning. Once you get started, the pain will dissipate.

B.  Focus on the process, not the product. Too often we focus on the  product -- "I want to be fluent in another language," "I want to be  ripped," -- but nothing gets done in the end because often the path to the  product is long and arduous. If we can enjoy the process, we'll get much  farther.

More on #2 below.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

1. How to remember and understand better:
Use your focused mode to understand and memorise the material initially, and then stop. Do something else. Allow your diffuse mode to kick in to etch the idea even deeper.

Practice, practice, practice (remember the concept of spaced repetition). Sleep to consolidate learning and put them in your long term memory.

Learning myth: that mind maps and re-reading materials will make you competent at the subject.

No.

They only create the illusion of competence. Only recalling and practice help make you remember the material better and at a deeper level. That's why it's important to take tests (a form of recalling & practice).

To memorise easier, use memory palace technique and vivid imaginations. Memory palace technique is a technique used by memory athletes around the world to memorise a huge number of random words/numbers in a very short amount of time. They can even regurgitate the memorised words in reversed order!

How? By attaching each word to a location they know well -- like their own home. For example, "egg" in the entrance door, "milk" in the shoe rack, "meatball" in the guest room, "wallet" on the dinner table.

They also memorise difficult words using vivid imaginations and creativity. For example, "phosphorus" might be memorised as "frost forest." They sound similar, but much more memorable!

Use checklist to reduce the working memory used. Without checklist of  the things need to be done, you will be constantly thinking about what  to do next and hope nothing gets missed. By creating a checklist  (ideally done the night before to consolidate the tasks while you  sleep), you can release the working memory and use the capacity for  other more productive things.

2. How to avoid procrastination
Focus on the process instead of the product by using Pomodoro technique. Pomodoro technique regiments your focus for 25 minutes at a time, with 5 minute break at the end. During the focus session, completely remove all distraction and just work on the material. During the 5 minute break, reward yourself with coffee, walk, short conversation, etc. Then take another Pomodoro session. Rinse and repeat.

There are Pomodoro apps you can download from your app store for free that will time the pomodoro sessions out for you. Search for "Pomodoro."

Happy learning! :)