Learning
General strategies
Active strategies win over passive ones.
Everything that leads to retrieval of information is effective:
- explanation generation
- inerleaved practise
- paced/interval learning
- self testing
- Feynman technique
- reflecting on what you read
These are more cognitively challenging than other passive methods and thus more tiresome.
Memorisation
Memory palaces are hands down the best way to get stuff from the outside world and into your long term memory.
Note however that it is very mentaly taxing to work on memorisation this way. It is no light affair.
An article extolling the virtue of memorisation: In Praise of Memorization | Pearl Leff
My note on using Anki for memorisation and retention: Anki.
Repetition and Practise
- Use the Feynman Technique
- Walk through your memory palaces in different ways to make sure you know what’s in there
- Explain concepts to yourself, making note of what you don’t know
- Talk to yourself about the concept while you walk outside
- Shadowing a foreign language
- Combine Shadowing with the Feynman technique
Self-study routines
Environment
Sleep
Toxins produced while we are awake accumulate during the day. Sleep is our rescue.
Exercise
Exercise promotes learning and memory.
守破離(Shuhari)
Concept in the learning of Japanese martial arts: obey, detach, leave
Musashi wrote down the rules for people who wish to study his martial arts, and I like the conciseness:
- Think about what’s right and wrong.
- Practice and develop.
- Meet other general arts.
- Know the basic principles of the crafts.
- Understand the advantages and disadvantages of everything.
- Study everything accurately.
- Become aware of what is not obvious.
- Give attention to small things.
- Don’t do useless things.
After learning something, contemplating on what you’ve learned allows you to unlock it’s greater potential.
A samurai learning mindset | Brain Baking