Conquering Tough Subjects: My Top 5 Learning Strategies
Have you ever had those moments when brain feels like tangled webs, and understanding seems out of reach? Mastering through tough subjects can be frustrating, but the rewards of overcoming them are worth the effort.
Here I’ve gathered some tips that have helped me push through those challenges.
Tip #1: Make each chunk of knowledge fit to concepts you know
To truly grasp new ideas, start by building a big picture understanding. Reviewing book headers or chapter summaries before diving into the details can provide context and help you make connections.
Also, you may build a chunk library or draw a mind map to grasp new ideas quicker! By developing neural hooks (memorable metaphors) for each chunk, you enhance your ability to recall.
Tip #2: Practice and recall instead of re-reading
Rather than relying on passive re-reading, active practice and recall are key. Highlighting and underlining may create illusions of competence, so try adding custom comments, using flashcards… or write a post on Medium.
Tools like the IDoRecall app in Chrome may be helpful.
Tip #3: Plan well
Avoid last-minute cramming sessions, plan wisely instead. Learning over time, with spaced repetition, helps combat the false sense of knowledge.
By planning learning and revision over time, you’ll enhance long-term retention and integrate learning seamlessly.
Tip #4: Mix tasks
Don’t fall into the trap of learning in blocks. Instead, mix topics to engage your brain more effectively. Choosing exercises from different sections forces your brain to work harder, promoting better learning outcomes.
This is how Muhammad Ali trained. Who will stop you from practicing like Muhammad Ali?
Tip #5: Create a masterpiece
Rather than relying solely on pre-existing resources, engage your creativity and organization skills to build a masterpiece tailored to your learning needs.
By processing information and making associations, you’ll deepen your understanding of the subject. Use graphics, mind maps, colors, and other visual elements to make the outcome engaging and memorable. Art level doesn’t matter!
That’s a wrap for now. Those tips helped me to learn statistics and probability theory from scratch, so I can personally vouch for their effectiveness. Happy learning!
