The following are notes I took while watching Barbara Oakley talk about how to learn. Very interesting talk and a must watch for those trying to learn a subject.
Learning How To Learn, by Barbara Oakley
Key ideas related to learning
1. Brain modes
Focused mode: keeping focusing on solving a difficult problem doesn't work. If you hit a wall, go diffuse mode;
Diffuse mode: do something you enjoy, relax, listen to music, go for a walk, go make tea or coffee. Or do nothing for sometime.
Alternating between modes helps to solve problems, even those being seen for the first time.
2. How to deal with procrastination
Use the pomodoro technique.
Keep your mind on your time (not the task) and let disturbing thoughts drift away.
Do not forget to reward yourself.
3. Sleep is important
Have many shorts learning periods, then sleep; repeat.
4. A simple walk helps learning;
5. Don't multitask;
6. Practice (your chunks) frequently (study routine) to transfer knowledge from working memory to long term memory;
7. Divide the learning material into chunks (central ideas, small problems etc) so they can fit in 1 slot in working memory;
8. Try to learn similar chunks;
9. Test your knowledge (always);
10. When reading, write it on your own words and try to recall what you've just read;
11. Talk to other people about what you are trying to understand;
12. Explain in a way a 10 years old can understand (use metaphors and analogies);
13. Find an application to what you've just learned.
How to study
Pomodoro 1:
Focused mode: 20min
-- Read to identify a chunk
-- Write down the chunk understanding with your own words
-- Try to recall the chunk
-- Explain the chunk in simple terms
-- Research more about the chunk (how to use it, when to use it, other resources etc)
-- Do the exercises
Diffused mode: 10min of relaxing
Focused mode: 20min
Diffused mode: 10min of relaxing
Pomodoro 2: same as above
Focused mode: 20min
Diffused mode: 10min
Focused mode: 20min
Diffused mode: 10min
Pomodoro 3: same as above
Focused mode: 20min
Diffused mode: 10min
Focused mode: 20min
Diffused mode: 10min
Reward yourself now: some browsing, video watching, music listening, doing nothing, whatever gives you pleasure