Learning Process

• defining an optimal learning process based on how our brains work
• two of the most effective learning strategies are:
  • active recall — actively recalling information from memory about a topic
    • recalling information from memory strengthens it much more than just re-reading
  • spaced repetition — reviewing information at expanding intervals
    • distributing review over time dramatically improves long-term retention vs. cramming
    • periodically revisit notes, before re-reading try to recall key ideas, then open and check
    • expand interval each time (ex. 1 day, 3 days, a week, a month)
    • an exact schedule is less important than revisiting before completely forgetting
• learning methods that require more effort, are more effective (desirable difficulty)
  • hard/more effective: writing from memory, self-testing, spacing sessions over days, mixing related topics in one session
  • easy/less effective: re-reading, highlighting, copying from the source, cramming

Steps

1. absorb a section of the source material, focusing on understanding
   • sections should be small enough to hold in active memory
     • ~10 mins of video, one heading of a textbook, natural topic change in a lecture, etc.
   • for primarily audio sources (lectures, videos)
     • focus on listening, but take rough notes on paper
     • important keywords, diagrams, questions for later, possible connections
2. close the source, and write what you remember
   • on paper or some throw away document
   • ask “why?” and “how does this connect to existing knowledge?”
   • complete thoughts, not just keywords
3. check/compare your notes against the source material
   • fill any gaps, pay attention to what you missed
4. refine into more specific topic note(s)
   • proper structure and formatting (like LaTeX for math/science)
   • link to related notes (wikilinks in a digital garden)
     • when linking to an existing note, try to recall what it covers before clicking through
   • pictures, diagrams ¹
5. mark anything unclear to follow up on later
   • I’m using TODO footnotes