Stop Forgetting What You Learn Using Learning Science: This Is Exactly How You Should Train Yourself To Be Smarter

Stop Forgetting What You Learn Using Learning Science: This Is Exactly How You Should Train Yourself To Be Smarter

"The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time." - Unknown

"The science of today is the technology of tomorrow." - Edward Teller

Learning Science is an interdisciplinary field of science that focuses on developing and improving our understanding of the methodologies and solutions that help people learn effectively. The process of learning can be broken down into three steps: encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. While encoding involves coming across new information in a way that we can understand, the consolidation and retrieval steps are where knowledge retention truly happens.

"The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you." - B.B. King

Assuming we have a grasp of the concepts we're learning, the consolidation and retrieval steps are crucial for ensuring that information makes it out of our short-term memory. During my research on learning science and reading 'Make it Stick,' one key finding stood out to me. The most impactful learning occurs when we push the boundaries of our abilities and knowledge. It's essential to challenge ourselves and experience a desirable level of difficulty, as this indicates that we're on the right path.

Actionable Advice:

1. Avoid mindlessly reading, summarizing, highlighting, or rereading. These passive learning methods don't lead to effective knowledge retention. Instead, engage in active learning strategies such as testing yourself, explaining concepts to others, or teaching the material in a different way.
2. Don't focus on learning only one thing at a time. Instead of repeating the same practice or studying method over and over, try varying your approach. Explore different ways of learning and practice multiple skills simultaneously. This approach enhances overall learning and helps create connections between different subjects.
3. Master the most useful and universal mental models. Mental models are frameworks or principles that help us understand and interact with the world effectively. By developing a habit of mastering these mental models, we can make smarter decisions in our personal and professional lives.

"Developing the habit of mastering the multiple models which underlie reality is the best thing you can do." - Unknown

"Those who understand more of them and understand them well [principles / mental models] know how to interact with the world more effectively than those who know fewer of them or know them less well." - Unknown

"It is important to view knowledge as sort of a semantic tree — make sure you understand the fundamental principles, i.e. the trunk and big branches, before you get into the leaves/details or there is nothing for them to hang onto." - Unknown

Incorporating mental models into our learning process is crucial for developing a deeper understanding of various subjects. By focusing on mastering one new mental model each month, we can gradually expand our knowledge and enhance our decision-making skills.

Actionable Advice:

1. Dedicate time each month to mastering a new mental model. Focus on understanding its core principles and how it applies to different areas of life.
2. Start with the most powerful and universal models. These models provide a solid foundation for understanding complex concepts and can be applied in various scenarios.
3. Continuously review and reinforce previously learned mental models. Regularly revisiting and applying these models will help solidify your understanding and ensure they become an integral part of your thinking process.

By combining the principles of learning science and the mastery of mental models, we can train ourselves to become smarter and make more informed decisions. Remember, learning is a lifelong process, and it's important to approach it with curiosity, perseverance, and a willingness to challenge ourselves.

In conclusion, to stop forgetting what we learn, we must embrace the principles of learning science and actively engage in our learning process. By avoiding passive learning methods, varying our approach, and focusing on mastering mental models, we can enhance our knowledge retention and develop a deeper understanding of the world around us. So, let's make a conscious effort to apply these actionable advice and unlock our full potential for learning and growth.