Learning effectively is a skill that can be developed and improved. This guide presents proven strategies for better focus, deeper understanding, and more efficient learning techniques.

1. Focus Intently & Beat Procrastination

  • Use the Pomodoro Technique (remove distractions, focus for 25 minutes, take a break)
  • Avoid multitasking unless you find yourself needing occasional fresh perspectives
  • Create a ready-to-resume plan when an unavoidable interruption comes up
  • Set up a distraction-free environment
  • Take frequent short breaks

2. Overcome Being Stuck

  • When stuck, switch your focus away from the problem at hand, or take a break to surface the diffuse mode
  • After some time completely away from the problem, return to where you got stuck
  • Use the Hard Start Technique: start with the hardest part of the problem first
  • When starting an essay, do not constantly stop to edit what is flowing out. Separate the time spent writing from time spent editing

3. Learn Deeply

  • Study actively: practice active recall (retrieval practice) and elaboration
  • Interleave and space out your learning to help build your intuition and speed
  • Don’t just focus on the easy stuff, challenge yourself
  • Get enough sleep and stay physically active

4. Maximize Your Working Memory

  • Break learning material into small chunks and swap fancy terms for easier ones
  • Use “to-do” lists to clear your working memory
  • Take good notes and review them the same day you took them

5. Memorize More Efficiently

  • Use memory tricks to speed up memorization: acronyms, images, and the Memory Palace
  • Use metaphors to quickly grasp new concepts

6. Gain Intuition & Think Quickly

  • Internalize (don’t just unthinkingly memorize) procedures for solving key scientific or mathematical problems
  • Make up appropriate gestures to help you remember and understand new language vocabulary

7. Exert Self-Discipline

  • Find ways to overcome challenges without having to rely on self-discipline
  • Remove temptations, distractions, and obstacles from your surroundings
  • Improve your habits
  • Plan your goals and identify obstacles and the ideal way to respond to them ahead of time

8. Motivate Yourself

  • Remind yourself of all the benefits of completing tasks
  • Reward yourself for completing difficult tasks
  • Make sure that a task’s level of difficulty matches your skill set
  • Set goals - long-term goals, milestone goals, and process goals

9. Read Effectively

  • Preview the text before reading it in detail
  • Read actively: think about the text, practice active recall, and annotate

10. Win Big

  • Learn as much as possible about the task itself and make a preparation plan
  • Practice with previous examples or scenarios - from past experiences, if possible
  • During tasks: read instructions carefully, keep track of time, and review your work
  • Use the Hard Start Technique

11. Be a Pro Learner

  • Be a metacognitive learner: understand the task, set goals and plans, learn, and monitor and adjust
  • Learn from the past: evaluate what went well and where you can improve

12. Conclusion

By implementing these learning strategies systematically, you can significantly improve your learning efficiency and retention. Remember that effective learning is a journey of continuous improvement - start with a few techniques that resonate with you and gradually incorporate more as they become habits.