Better Learning: Stop Just Rereading and Highlighting!
Hello everyone! Hope you’re having a lovely day.
This issue is about an effective learning method. (Hint: not rereading or highlighting!)
If you’re following me on Twitter, you know I’ve been raving about this book “How to Take Smart Notes” by Sönke Afrens.
One of his main ideas is that rereading and highlighting only tricks your brain into thinking that you already know the information when, in fact, you don’t.
This is why this method is dangerous: you overestimate what you really understand, and you’re unable to retrieve the information when you need it (e.g. in an exam or discussion).
What’s worse is that this method makes you feel good. When you’re rereading and highlighting, you feel like you’re being productive and learning a lot!
The truth is you are not. It’s just your brain being tricked.
So, how can we make sure we’re actually learning?
Simply put, rereading and highlighting is not enough. We need an extra step.
One of the methods you can use is the Feynman Technique. You’ve probably heard of it before. All you have to do is to try to explain what you’ve just learned as if you’re talking to a person who has no idea about it.
But, for those who prefer writing to talking, including myself, simply writing down what you learned in your own words works just fine. Writing can be like a mini-lecture where you’re giving an explanation to yourself.
One thing you have to be careful is that you have to write in your own words! We tend to copy and paste everything because it’s so convenient and saves time. But that’s as ineffective as rereading and highlighting, as Ahrens argues.
Actionable Advice
Rereading and highlighting is fine, but make sure to do something with them!
Use the Feynman Technique: explain what you’ve just learned in plain words.
Write down what you’ve learned in your own words!
Hope this was helpful for you guys!
Have an amazing weekend :)
Shu
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