How to Learn Effectively: Methods of Successful Learning

In a world where information is evolving at an incredible pace, the ability to learn effectively is not just a desirable quality but a necessary skill. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply aiming to broaden your horizons, the ability to quickly and qualitatively acquire new knowledge becomes your secret weapon. However, long hours of cramming and monotonous study sessions are not guarantees of successful learning. What matters most is changing your approach to the learning process, and this is where various methods and learning strategies come to the rescue, allowing you to master new materials with ease and enjoyment. In this article, we will tell you about the modern methods of successful learning that will help you achieve outstanding results without spending countless hours but, on the contrary, with enthusiasm and reduced learning time.

Alternate subjects and topics to simplify the learning process

Engaging in one activity for an extended period, especially when it comes to studying, can cause the brain to “overheat.” Monotony takes a significant toll on our energy, increasing the likelihood that we will abandon the material. A person in a state of monotony becomes lethargic, indifferent to work and study, and fatigues prematurely.

This is why it is essential to learn in blocks. Alternate tasks when you feel your attention and learning pace waning. For example, if you spent one hour on a particular subject and quickly felt tired, now spend forty minutes on the same subject and move on to the next one.

Focus on one task

Any form of learning is incompatible with concurrently performing other tasks. Watching videos or browsing the internet during study might seem like a time-saving strategy, but it’s a misconception.

Shifting attention from one task to another, even for a few seconds, exhausts the brain. Our brains have to process different pieces of information simultaneously, slowing down task execution and reducing efficiency.

This can lead to a dislike for the learning process. Turn off notifications from apps and social networks, close all distracting information on your computer to make learning easier.

Adhere to the rule: it’s better to spend less time studying but apply maximum attention.

Train attention concentration

Issues with attention concentration during learning can arise for many people due to reasons such as inherent traits, stress, demanding work, abrupt lifestyle and dietary changes, as well as cognitive changes with age. Here are some tips and techniques to preserve and train your ability to concentrate:

1. Train but don’t rush: Gradually increase the time you focus on one task. Don’t attempt to sustain attention for several hours right away.
2. Try the Pomodoro Technique: Use a timer to work in short intervals (usually 25 minutes), with brief breaks in between. This helps maintain a high level of concentration throughout the workday.
3. Create a distraction list: Note down things that distract you from work and set them aside for later. This helps you concentrate on the current task.
4. Train willpower: Engage in exercises that strengthen your willpower, such as abstaining from sweets or performing physical exercises.
5. Meditate: Meditating for 10-20 minutes a day can help improve concentration and reduce stress.
6. Exercise: Regular physical activity improves blood circulation and overall well-being, positively impacting your ability to concentrate.
7. Memorize poetry: Learning poems or songs can be a good way to train memory and concentration.
8. Read: Regularly reading books or articles helps develop concentration skills and enhances cognitive functions.

Don’t postpone your studies

When there’s plenty of time for studying, the temptation to take an extra day off often arises. Yet, the next day brings the temptation to rest again, as there still seems to be enough time for preparation. Even if you don’t have specific deadlines, this approach won’t lead to academic achievements.

The best approach is to break down your study material into small daily sessions. This allows you to avoid excessive fatigue, and you won’t forget previously studied material. This way, you’ll steadily and consistently progress towards your goal.

Monitor your well-being

Effective learning is impossible if your body is not in good condition. It’s crucial to find a balance between studying and relaxation to ensure successful learning. Here are a few recommendations that will make your learning journey smoother.

Avoid dehydration

Proper water intake is crucial for successful learning. Water is not only beneficial for the skin, immune system, and overall body function but also contributes to enhanced cognitive abilities. Research has shown that students who drank water before exams performed better than those who did not.

Dehydration can significantly impair our mental capabilities. A lack of fluid in the body hinders brain function and reduces attention span, which can negatively impact the learning process. Scientists have found that even a 2% level of dehydration can lead to a decline in attention, psychomotor skills, and short-term memory.

To maintain a normal level of hydration and ensure effective learning, it is recommended to drink water regularly throughout the day. This helps improve cognitive functions, attention, and mood, which are essential for successfully grasping educational material.

Follow a sleep schedule

Many people tend to forget about sleep during intense study sessions and strive to cram material diligently. While you may feel exhausted and drained, this approach can yield certain results in learning. However, it is not the most effective way to learn and retain information. Sleep is essential for memory consolidation and enhancing learning efficiency.

Sleep plays a crucial role in the process of information retention. Research has shown that new information is solidified in memory during the deep sleep phase. To remember the studied material, it’s necessary to go to sleep within 12 hours after learning it. People who study diligently but don’t compromise on getting proper rest not only perform better academically but also feel happier.

Eat Right

Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind, which is crucial for effective learning. Studies have shown that individuals who consume healthy food perform better academically, have better memory and alertness, and process information more quickly. Here are recommendations for proper nutrition.

Foods to include in your diet:

• Protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs, poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
• Fruits and vegetables, including berries and pomegranate juice, rich in antioxidants.
• Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, flaxseeds and oil, as well as eggs, chicken, and beef.
• Foods rich in fiber, protein, and beneficial fats, such as eggs, yogurt, apples, and oats, which prolong the feeling of fullness, providing enough energy for concentration and alertness throughout the day.
• Foods rich in glucose, such as fruits, to boost energy and enhance concentration.
• Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as iron, thiamine, vitamin E, vitamin B, iodine, and zinc, which prevent cognitive decline.

Foods to avoid:

• Processed foods such as cereals, cookies, and cakes containing high amounts of sugar and harmful fats.
• Fast food, such as candies, chips, and ice cream, high in calories and low in nutrients.
• Carbonated beverages such as soda and juices, containing high amounts of sugar and providing little nutritional value.
• Foods high in saturated fats, such as french fries, sweets, cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, and other cafeteria favorites that can negatively impact learning and memory.

Healthy eating habits:

• Eat a nutritious breakfast to start the day.
• Keep healthy snacks on hand, such as fresh or dried fruits, pretzels, low-fat popcorn, whole grain rice cakes, or crackers.
• Pack meals to go if you have a tight schedule.
• Avoid distractions during meals, especially screen usage.
• Serve a variety of healthy foods and snacks.
• Avoid shopping on an empty stomach.
• Refrain from labeling foods as “junk” or “bad.”
• Eat together with family to encourage healthy choices.
• Slow down the pace of eating to avoid overeating.
• Plan snacks to avoid the temptation of unhealthy foods.
• Remember that regular consumption of balanced meals will help you learn better and achieve better results both in the short and long term.

Engage in Physical Activity and Fitness

Physical activity has a positive impact on the ability to remember and learn better. Active exercises stimulate blood circulation and increase the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF is a protein that aids in building new neural connections, supports neuron development, and enhances the ability to tackle complex tasks and calculations.

Even after a 20-minute walk, brain activity and memory significantly improve. Before settling in for a couple of hours of online courses, I recommend taking a stroll outside. Regular physical activity improves self-esteem, behavioral changes, and motivation in other areas, influencing success in studies.

For the most productive results, aerobic exercises like cycling and running are recommended. High-intensity interval training is also considered beneficial for health. It’s crucial to pay more attention to regular physical exercise to ensure optimal cognitive development.

Integrate physical activity into your daily life, such as lunchtime walks, active breaks between lessons, or organizing group activities for students. Active learning through physical activity positively impacts the quality of education.

Take Breaks Between Study Sessions

This advice relates to focused and diffuse thinking modes in the brain. Research shows that people cannot sustain maximum concentration for extended periods. We tend to get distracted and end up spending hours on short tasks.

To make the learning process more manageable, it’s essential to give the brain a break. A suitable approach for most people is to study for 50 minutes and then take a 10-minute break. Studies indicate that purposeful breaks ranging from 5 to 60 minutes can boost energy, productivity, and the ability to focus.

During breaks, it’s crucial to engage in activities that allow your mind to relax and recharge. Social media is not recommended as a “purposeful break.” Examples of energizing, purposeful breaks in studying include reconnecting with nature, meditation, a walk, or a 15-20 minute nap.

Balancing focused and diffuse thinking is necessary for effective learning. Focused thinking allows us to concentrate on specific tasks and learn new material, while diffuse thinking helps us understand how everything fits together. By incorporating regular breaks into your study routine, you can optimize the learning process and enhance overall productivity.

Upgrade Self-Education Skills

To make your learning easy, interesting, fast, and, consequently, effective, you need to learn how to learn. Here are several recommendations to improve the learning process:

• Master the art of note-taking. Notes are your learning plan. By jotting down concise main ideas, you can quickly review previously studied material.
• Develop your memory. A strong foundation for good learning is memory. By enhancing it, you can cope more quickly with a large volume of information. I previously published an article on scientific methods for significant memory improvement.
• Hone critical thinking skills. The ability to analyze information, distinguish facts from opinions, think critically, and make informed decisions is a crucial skill in today’s information society.
• Practice presentation skills. The ability to present your ideas clearly and persuasively to an audience is an important skill in any field of activity.
• Engage in self-assessment and self-reflection. Regularly assess your progress, analyze your mistakes and successes. This will help you better understand your strengths and weaknesses, focus on your personal and professional development, and become more effective in learning.
• Speed reading is not effective. There are many materials on speed reading on the internet. Many proponents of effective learning suggest mastering speed reading. But why do you need it? With speed reading, you can only get a general idea of the text, but you’ll remember little of what you’ve read. Moreover, you may quickly become tired, and the learning experience may be negative.

Use Spaced Repetition

The essence of the spaced repetition method is to review learned information at specific intervals. Instead of repeating the material multiple times within a short period, spaced repetition suggests distributing the review over several sessions with intervals in between. The repetition intervals increase over time, with each repetition occurring just before the information is about to be forgotten.

Optimal intervals for repetitions can be as follows:

1. First repetition – after 24 hours.
2. Second repetition – after 7 days.
3. Third repetition – after 16 days.
4. Fourth repetition – after 30 days, and so on.

Spaced repetition is often used in conjunction with a flashcard system, where one side of the card contains a word or question, and the other side contains the answer.

Applying the spaced repetition method allows you to spend less time on memorization and makes the whole process more efficient. This method is based on Ebbinghaus’ forgetting curve, which shows that the speed of forgetting information is inversely proportional to the time since its acquisition. Thus, reviewing information at specific intervals helps retain it in memory for a more extended period.

Reproduce the Studied Material from Memory

When we mechanically memorize material, for example, using spaced repetition, we achieve the desired result but without deep understanding. However, a single instance of memorization is not sufficient for effective learning.

It is essential to comprehend the information and grasp it deeply. This approach enables confident utilization of the studied material. Here are a few methods to help understand and make sense of the material being learned.

Make handwritten notes

When you take notes during your study sessions, you subconsciously repeat and comprehend the information. Strive to highlight important points in the material you are studying to work through and internalize it. This helps reflect on key aspects and learn to extract essential information from the text. In the future, having these keys will enable you to consciously recall the studied material.

Notes can help answer the question: “What important things did I learn today?”. You can also test yourself at the end of the study session by writing a summary and key points in your own words.

Reproduce and reinforce knowledge

After reading a chapter or listening to a lesson, reproduce the main ideas you learned in your own words. It is crucial that you verbally retell the lesson you just watched. This way, you can identify where the gaps in your understanding of the material are. Then, you can review specifically what you didn’t understand or forgot, rather than revisiting the entire material.

Repeat the material throughout the day

Instead of sitting and cramming material for hours, wasting your time and straining your brain, repeat the studied material for 10 minutes several times a day. Try to review it even in inconvenient conditions. This trains the flexibility of your memory and allows you to reconsider the information throughout the day.

Conclusion

By adhering to the methods described in the article, you can significantly ease and expedite your learning process. Don’t forget to revisit the guide and reread its points for better retention of the material in case you encounter difficulties.