Effective learning is more than just spending hours on books. There are techniques and methods that can significantly improve the memorization of the material and make learning more effective. Learn 7 proven learning methods that will not only make it easier to absorb information, but also help you better organize your time and consolidate your knowledge.
The Feynman Technique – learn by translating to others
One of the best ways to understand material is to explain it to others. The Feynman technique consists in simply explaining complex issues as if we were to explain them to a person who does not know the subject. This requires an in-depth understanding of the problem, as well as eliminating any gaps in knowledge.
How to do it? To start, choose a topic you want to master, and then write down everything you know about it in the simplest way possible. In the next step, try to explain this topic “out loud”, as if you were explaining it to a child. This will help you identify where you are struggling. If you feel that your knowledge does not allow for a completely understandable translation, return to the source material to fill in the gaps.
Mnemonics – use associations to remember
Mnemonics are techniques that facilitate the memorization of information by creating connections with already mastered issues. Mnemonics include various strategies, such as rhymes, acronyms, or visualizations. A popular example is the “memory palace” (Ioci) method, in which we imagine that information is arranged in well-known places.
How to use mnemonics?
- Make associations between new information and what you already know.
- Use visualization – imagine images related to the concepts you want to remember.
- Create stories or acronyms to help you remember long lists or sequences.
Recurring Replays
Studies show that repeating material at equal intervals is one of the most effective methods of memorization. Instead of learning everything in one evening, it is worth using spaced repetition. Thanks to this, the brain regularly returns to previously acquired information, which strengthens neural connections. It is best to start the repetition cycle with more difficult issues – the more often we return to them, the greater the chance that they will stay with us for longer.
Active Learning
Active learning involves engaging with material in a way that requires more than just passively absorbing information. An example is creating questions for the material that you later try to answer on your own, instead of just reading the text repeatedly. If you are preparing for an exam in a subject, try to anticipate what questions may appear on the exam and formulate the answers.
Mind Maps – Visual knowledge organization
Mind maps are a graphical tool that helps you organize information. This involves writing down the main topic in the center of the page and then creating branches with key concepts. This tool not only supports creativity but also makes it easier to remember information by visualizing it.
How do you create a mind map? In the center of the card, write down the main topic, such as “cell biology.” Create branches with smaller subtopics around the main heading. Use colors, symbols, and short notes to visually highlight each element.
Pareto principle – focus on the most important 20%
The Pareto principle states that 80% of results come from 20% of effort. In the context of science, this means that not all information has the same weight – it is worth focusing on the key 20% that will have the greatest effect. Effective learning is about identifying the most important concepts and issues that underpin the rest of the material.
If you want to use the Pareto principle in your preparation for the exams, focus on the topics that are most important for understanding the rest of the material. Only after mastering the basics, i.e. the most important 20%, move on to more detailed issues.
Multisensory learning – use all your senses
Some people memorize better through listening, others are visual learners, and still others learn best through handwritten note-taking. Therefore, learning involving different senses, i.e. multisensory learning, is an effective way to memorize material permanently. It is worth engaging sight, hearing, and touch, e.g. by hand-taking notes.
You can engage your sense of hearing thanks to podcasts or audiobooks, notes, diagrams and charts will engage the sense of sight and touch, and repeating issues aloud, e.g. during a walk or exercise, will allow you to use many senses at the same time, which will effectively strengthen the memorization of the material.
Effective learning is not only about long hours spent on books, but above all about the right strategies. Thanks to techniques such as the Feynman technique, mnemonics, or staggered repetition, you can significantly increase the effectiveness of learning and improve the memorization of material. It’s also a good idea to experiment with different methods to find the ones that best suit your learning style. This will make the learning process more effective and less stressful. Remember that the key to success is regularity and proper time management. Use the above methods and you will see how quickly your ability to memorize and understand the material will improve.