Speed of learning is not the only important factor, however.
How can you teach yourself to learn?
Improve Your Memory
There are a number of differentstrategies that can boost memory.
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You might combine this with strategies that can foster better memory, such as exercising and socializing.
Study Tip
If you’re pressed for time, consider combining study strategies.
Research has found thatthe brain is capable of producing new brain cells, a process known as neurogenesis.
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By learning new things, these cells are kept alive and incorporated into brain circuits.
This “use-it-or-lose-it” phenomenon involvesa brain process known as “pruning.”
In pruning, certain pathways in the brain are maintained while others are eliminated.
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If you want the new information you just learned to stay put, keep practicing and rehearsing it.
This might involve describing what you learned to a friend,taking notes, or drawing a mind map.
By learning in more than one way, youre further cementing the knowledge in your mind.
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Research has found that longhand notes can help cement information in memory more effectively than digital note-taking.
Remember your seventh-grade presentation on Costa Rica?
you might apply the same principle today by sharing newly learned skills and knowledge with others.
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Start by translating the information into your own words.
This process alone helps solidify new knowledge in your brain.
Next, find some way to share what youve learned.
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Some ideas include writing a blog post, creating a podcast, or participating in a group discussion.
This involves relating new information to things that you already know.
If it is a sport or athletic skill, perform the activity on a regular basis.
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If you are learning a new language, practice speaking with another person and surround yourself with language-immersion experiences.
Watch foreign-language films and strike up conversations with native speakers to practice your budding skills.
If you are trying to acquire a new skill or ability, focus on gaining practical experience.
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Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Research suggests thatmaking mistakeswhen learning can improve learning outcomes.
What is the best way to learn?
Research suggests that this punch in of distributed learning is one of the most effective learning techniques.
Focus on spending a little time studying each topic every day.
However, research now suggests that multitasking can actually make learning less effective.
Multitasking can involve trying to do more than one thing at the same time.
Strategies such as boosting your memory and learning in multiple ways can be helpful.
This process can take time, and it always takes practice and determination toestablish new habits.
Perhaps most importantly, work ondeveloping the mindsetthat you are capable of improving your knowledge and skills.
Chaire A, Becke A, Duzel E.Effects of physical exercise on working memory and attention-related neural oscillations.Front Neurosci.
2018;26(9):1281-1290. doi:10.1080/09658211.2018.1464189
Metcalfe J.Learning from errors.Ann Rev Psychol.
2016;42(4):599-618. doi:10.1111/hcre.12089
May K, Elder A.Efficient, helpful, or distracting?
