Become Clever by Learning how to Learn
Two types of Memory
Working memory
Long term memory
There are 4 slots in our working memory
Unless we keep repeating, things will be forgotten
It is like a big warehouse
Practice and repeat consistently
It is like a not so good blackboard
Spaced repetition is recommended
Sleeping well helps to get rid of toxins, thus improves learning
Exercising helps improving memory and the ability to learn
Chunks
How is it formed?
Basic steps to form a chunk
There is an initial pattern, a small chunk of what you are learning
- Focus without distractions in what you want to learn
- Understand the main idea of the chunk; understanding is like a glue that helps thoughts to stick together
- Gain context; after understanding you will know when to use that chunk
Learning
It can happen in two ways
Bottom up: practice and repetition help to build and strengthen each chunk to have easy access of it when necessary
Top down: seeing the big picture allows you to see what you are learning and where does it fit
Recall
After reading a text, step back from it and try to remember what you just read
Try to remember key ideas
Highlighting texts: this gives the false idea that you have memorized a concept, if you do it, keep it at minimum and just for key ideas
Side notes are better as you will write and synthesize a concept
Illusion of competence
Students tend to reread their notes or texts. By having a text in front of them gives them the illusion that the concepts are in their brains as well, but it is not true.
Einstellung
It is easy to have an incorrect approach to solve a problem, as the initial intuition on what is happening could be wrong
Deliverate practice
Balance your studies focusing deliberately on what seems more difficult
Interleaving
To master a new subject does not mean just learning the basic chunks, but learning how to select and use different chunks
Procrastination
When you procrastinate you feel good, temporarily at least
We procrastinate about things that makes us feel uncomfortable, so we make a shift to something more pleasant.
Habits
4 parts of habits
- The cue; this is what triggers the zombie mode
- The routine; this is the zombie mode, this is the habitual routine your brain is used to fall when it gets the cue
- The reward: Every habit gets developed because we get a reward
- The belief: habits have power because of your belief in them, to change a habit you must change your underlying belief
Overcoming procrastination
Process versus product
Process is the flow of time and the habits and actions associated to that flow of time
Product is the outcome
Don't focus on the product, instead focus your attention to build processes
Work on a daily planner
Commit to certain routines and tasks each day
Delay the rewards until you finish your task
Watch for procrastination cues
Trust in your system
Have a backup plan if you are still procrastinating
Eat your frogs first every day