Want To Be A Learning God? Here’s How To Learn Faster And Remember More
This article has everything you need to know about how to learn faster.
You spend thousands and thousands of hours studying in your lifetime. And despite all the time in class, learning languages, music, whatever, you are most likely learning one of the slowest ways; This is because your teacher has good intentions, but because they do not know how to teach you to optimize the learning experience.
The excellent news is this. There are many ways, principles, that you can apply to anything from martial arts to business, that will help you beat the competition.
You can learn much faster than you can. So, now, consider something in your life; one thing you are trying to improve, apply these tips and watch as you undergo the learning curve quickly.
How To Learn Faster And Remember More
Feynman learning method
Step 1: Open your notebook
Better to use real notebooks and pens. But if you’re more snug with digital, you can use Evernote or Google Docs. It will help you to read your notes wherever you are.
Step 2: Write down everything you know about the subject
Of course, I hope you have an idea on the subject. Even the general idea. So start by simplifying your knowledge by using easy words to frame the subject in your mind.
Example: You know that 1 + 1 = 2, right? Begin by writing: “If we take one red apple and one green apple, we will get 2 apples. So 1 + 1 = 2”.
Yes, it will appear to be a stupid teaching method at first, but you will get the gist of it in step 4.
Step 3: Use images to simplify the concept
The general idea of the Feynman learning technique is to keep it as easy as possible. And you know that the human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text.
So use pictures, drawings and lines to simplify your concepts and theories.
Step 4: Explain the subject to a 6 year old
Do you remember the apple example? How would you like to prove to a child that 1 + 1 = 2?
However, you aren’t obligated to all the time use such examples. Keep it easy. Simple to the point that you’re snug with its simplicity.
Step 5: Go back to your book when you get stuck
Now comes the learning part.
When going through the previous steps, you’ll find yourself missing some points or asking questions you do not know the answers to.
What you are going to do here is return to your course material (otherwise you can Google uncle if you prefer) and reread the difficult parts.
Tip: Ask your teacher or look online if you do not get the answer by rereading.
Step 6: Connect old and new knowledge
Know that you have simplified your old and new knowledge. It’s time to connect the dots. The trick is to ask questions, particularly “Why” and “How” questions.
Try asking new questions that will require you to research and dive into the subject. In the end, you’ll be the most knowledgeable amongst your classmates on this topic.
Keep doing this until you’re able to answer every question asked by yourself, friends, and teachers.
Step 7: Anything else?
You can never attain “Absolute Knowledge” so keep looking and diving if you have an interest in the subject.
Avoid this mistake Don’t speak jargon or use loud vocabulary. Speak simply (remember, you are teaching a child).
No big words or smooth “business talk.” Don’t start at the top: Start explaining the basics of the subject. Don’t make it the size of a book! Fewer pages are better.
Once you have written down everything you know, that is the better part. New knowledge.
Identify your knowledge gaps
When carrying out the previous steps, you’ll easily find gaps in your learning. You will start asking questions to which you don’t have any answers. Just write them down.
This is the goal of this methodology. When you get to this point, you can return to books, study materials, Google, or whatever resource you like.
Then, start searching for answers to every question that comes to mind. Repeat the same process until you have answered all your questions. Because this is what really matters.
Getting deeper and deeper into that specific topic. Because as Richard Feynman said:
“You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world, but when you’re done, you won’t know anything about the bird… So let’s look at the bird and see what it does—that’s what matters. I learned early on the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”
The Feynman learning technique is an effective (if not the most efficient) way of simplifying theory and subjects to the point that even your old neighbors can understand.
The essence of this method is to build knowledge from the principles of the subject to more complex theories and ideas. In this way, your brain will be capable to relate new information to prior knowledge more effectively, which means a better knowledge base.
Learn new things
There are many skills you can master, including practical skills that can help you in everyday tasks.
Learning new things is also an amazing way to keep your mind sharp and active. How you pick up new skills is important. By using the easy tips and tricks we’ll cover in this article, you can pick up new skills faster and more effectively.
Teach Yourself
Learn as if you were teaching yourself a new skill. When reading a book, for example, let your mind think that you’re reading a book to yourself.
For some people, reading aloud is a way to get a sense of learning itself. The others discussed with themselves in their minds.
Imagine that you’re teaching someone (yourself) and you’ll learn at a much faster pace.
This has to do with the expectations you set for yourself when teaching, according to a study by the University of Washington.
The need to teach increases your brain’s ability to absorb and convey information.
Take notes
Don’t try to remember everything without delay. Sometimes, you must take notes or write down important points from books or other sources as part of the learning process.
You can review your notes later and refresh your mind on what you want to learn. The process of writing down key points is also helpful.
You get more involved in the learning process by writing down things that you think are important; this tells your brain to better store those key points.
Use Audio and Visual Cues
There’s a reason video tutorials are easier to follow, and that reason is audio.
When you combine audio and visual cues, the whole learning process becomes more immersive and stimulating.
Businesses use explainer videos to help customers find out about their services and products for the same reason.
Videos help convey plenty of information in a more effective way. Plus, you can stay focused on the explanatory videos for longer; doing it with a long book is not all the time easy.
Learning process
Countless learning experts and researchers have shown us that it is feasible to learn anything in less than the average amount of time expected, it’s just a matter of following the right framework.
You must put in work, sweat and blood to get where you want to be.
But if you decide to take this framework to heart and apply it to your learning process, you will get there much faster.
1. Know your results
The rest of the steps that follow in this article are useless if you cannot do these steps correctly. Ask any successful person in their respective industry and they’ll tell you they’ve a clear and specific vision for what they want to accomplish.
Say you want to learn a new language. Think how you would feel if you spoke Spanish fluently today.
What opportunities will be provided by speaking fluently? What would you do if you could speak the language fluently now? Would you have a deeper relationship with your family/friends? Grow your business? Enjoy your trip more?
This visual goal-setting exercise triggers dopamine into your brain, allowing you to gain the momentum and energy to move mountains.
More importantly, it helps you understand your “why” for this particular skill or knowledge you are seeking to amass.
2. Model the best
Whatever it’s you want to learn or achieve, there’s someone in this world who has already achieved what you want.
In other words, there is no point reinventing the wheel. In today’s information age, your mentor and coach can be in the form of biographies, books, videos, and a wealth of knowledge available to those who seek it. If you seek it, you’ll find it.
3. Soaking, soaking, soaking
Remember when you first learned to drive? When you are first starting out, you most likely have a thousand things going through your mind.
This is because we haven’t immersed ourselves enough. But once we’re behind the wheel for the 100th time, we no longer must sweat the small details of knowing how to turn on a light or how hard to hit the brakes, and we mainly depend on muscle memory to do the same. function.
A study conducted on professional violinists supports the immersion law and the 10,000 hour rule popularized by Malcolm Gladwell. The difference between “good” and “professional” players is 2,000 hours (10,000 versus 8,000).
4. The 80/20 Percent Principle
Most of us understand how deadly multitasking can be, but we still continue to do it. A study on multitasking shows that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain your full focus, after being distracted from the task at hand.
Considering most people work 9 hour days and face a new distraction every five minutes, that’s a killer statistic to deal with.
Since multitasking is so deadly and our focus is limited, one way to maximise our results is to get rid of what is not working.
The simplest way to do this is to apply Pareto’s law to your assignments. In virtually everything we do, there are a few critical tasks that get you most of the results you want.
For example:
- 80 percent of your happiness comes from the 20 percent of the people in your life
- 80 percent of your income comes from 20 percent of your tasks
- 80 percent of your knowledge comes from 20 percent of mentors, books or solutions
While the exact 80/20 ratio will vary in every situation, the principle is obvious. Only a few things matter, and it is your job to know what works and what you should walk away from.
5. Repeatability and Mileage
We’ve discussed the importance of repeatability, but mileage is usually way more important. If we could analyze the amount of potential talent, business, or innovation buried because of an absence of persistence, it would be staggering.
Exam Preparation
Whenever we learn something new, we all undergo the same learning curve—no matter how hard we work or how talented we are.
1. Walk Before the Exam
It has been proven that exercise can improve your memory and brain power. Research conducted by Dr. Chuck Hillman of the University of Illinois provides evidence that about 20 minutes of practice before a test can improve performance.
2. Speak Loud Instead of Just Reading
While this may make you look a little crazy, give it a try! You’d be surprised how much more you can remember when you say it out loud. Warning: Don’t try this in a crowded library!
3. Reward Yourself With Gifts
There are many ways to integrate reward systems into your habits so that you find out how to study for exams more efficiently.
4. Teach What You’ve Learned
The best way to test whether you really understand something is to try to teach it to someone else. If you cannot get anyone to listen to you explain the Pythagorean Theorem, why not teach a stuffed animal class!
5. Create Mental Associations
The ability to make connections is not only a neater way to remember information, it’s also the fuel for creativity and intelligence.
Mind Maps are a simple way to connect ideas by creating a visible picture of the various connections.
6. Picture diagrams
Drawing diagrams will help you visualize information that’s difficult to explain. This creates a visible memory in your mind that can be recalled on the test. You may even be asked to draw or label a diagram of a human heart in your exam, so practice!
7. Watch a Documentary on the Topic
Documentaries are an entertaining way to condense a complete story into a brief timeframe. This will help you remember important details of a story plus you might even get extra credit for mentioning that you took the initiative and watched a movie on the subject!
8. Take Regular Study Breaks
When your brain is working, you need regular study breaks to help your brain absorb more information but also to keep you motivated and focused while working.
Take a brief break after 45-50 minutes of study because your focus and concentration will be disturbed after this period, everything that’s new after 1 hour and 30 minutes is not assimilated.
9. Discover How to Learn the News
Trying new learning methods can help you find what really works for you. Use technology to your advantage by watching educational TED Talks or downloading a useful dictionary app for example
10. Meditate
Meditation is a learning method that can help students stay focused while studying. Meditation won’t only help you concentrate while studying but will also help reduce stress before exams as it improves mental and physical health.
Thanks for reading this article on how to learn faster and I actually hope you take my advice into action. I wish you good luck and that I hope that its content has been a good help to you.
