Five Scientifically Proven Methods To Help You Learn Faster
The following are FIVE scientifically proven methods for learning and I encourage you to apply them.
1. Distributed learning or Spacing effect
The first technique is “Distributed learning or Spacing effect”. The benefit of using this technique is that students learn and retain information for a longer period of time because they distribute—or ‘space’—their study time.
Remember, when students study, their CONCENTRATION is much more important than anything else.
Therefore, it is better to do a little today and a little tomorrow rather than do everything at once. Let me illustrate this technique with an example. For example, if a student studies for three hours. It is preferable to divide these hours into three, one-hour chunks spread over three days rather than three hours on a single day.
The technique works because a short break gives your brain a chance to forget for a short period of time. You might have to work a little harder the next time you sit for a study session to recall what you had learned. Having difficulty is a very good thing for your brain. If you experience this difficulty, your brain will go through the process of revisiting the material, and when it does so, it will make it stick much better than merely browsing it in one session.
Distributed learning can, in certain circumstances, double the amount of information that is remembered and retained. It is a far more effective method than any other. Therefore, if you want to learn and retain, you must have a gap between your study times. It is extremely beneficial to your physical and mental health.
2. Teaching Others
Teaching others is the second most powerful method of learning. In all the great books on learning, it is mentioned that you cannot truly understand a concept until you teach it to others. Once you have studied a material, you should present it to your friends. If necessary, you may wish to write it down as clearly and concisely as you can from memory. It is important to keep in mind that these attempts to share your learning with yourself or with other people are not merely self-tests in the conventional sense, but rather a high-octane study, and 20 to 30% more powerful than if you just stare at the outline for the rest of your life. Another advantage of teaching others is that you will gain insight into what you do not know, where you are confused, and what you have forgotten. Tell someone what you are studying. Let them know what you are learning. In many cases, it is the process of teaching something to someone that helps us to truly comprehend it. It is a great idea and has been implemented by various learners and the results are very effective.
3. Napping
The third most effective method of learning is napping. This involves taking short periods of rest. Sara Mednick of the University of California conducted a series of experiments conducted over the past decade and concluded that people who study in the morning, regardless of whether they are studying words or pattern recognition games or comprehension of deeper phenomena, perform about 30% better on an evening test if they have taken an hour-long nap. “In some experiments, we realized that naps of one hour to one hour and a half provide similar benefits to a full eight hours of sleep when it comes to consolidating learning.’ In order to learn effectively, napping or sleeping for a short period is extremely important. If you have ever had the chance, you should read Sara Mednick’s book. Take a nap! Change your life. This book discusses the importance of napping and becoming more productive in the learning process.
4. Zeigarnik Effect
“Zeigarnik Effect” is the fourth-best scientifically proven way of learning. It has been developed by a Russian psychologist, Bluma Zeigarnik. She demonstrated that our minds best recall information that is not yet completed. This technique has been used by several high-level mathematicians and successful writers for years in order to enhance their productivity. In this respect, the students who read throughout the day reach a position where their minds become stuck. It then works all night to CLOSE THE LOOP, and they wake up with an ‘inspiration’, or a solution to the problem. This method is very helpful, and it should be utilized. Human mind become restless until it completes the unfinished task. How does this method work? This technique works because your subconscious mind is there to help you and CLOSE THE LOOP of unfinished work.
5. A student’s own Approach towards Learning (Fixed Mindset Vs Growth mindset)
Carol Dweck, a leading researcher in the field of developmental psychology, distinguishes between the INCREMENTAL and ENTITY theories of intelligence. Those who are ‘ENTITY THEORISTS’ believe their success and failure are inborn and cannot be altered. These children believe that their skills cannot be altered. These kids have fixed mindsets. INCREMENTAL THEORISTS who have adopted another method of learning. These children believe that their results are good because they worked hard to achieve them, or that I should have worked harder. According to this type of theory, students believe that tough material can be grasped through dedication and hard work; incrementally and that a novice becomes a master through perseverance.
These kids have growth mindsets. If you want to know more about this type of learning. You should read Carol Dweck’s books “Mindset” and “Self-Theories” for a deeper understanding. Remember, how you view your intelligence, talent, skills, and potential matters A LOT. Why do you think the fixed or entity mindset is so pernicious? Because everything is about the immediate results and we are afraid to take risks and make mistakes. If your abilities are “fixed”, then you will not experience any improvement in your learning. My goal in this article has been to present you with five scientifically proven methods of learning, and I encourage you to experiment with these methods and see their effects.
