How to improve your learning?

Introduction

I want to share some ways you can improve your learning process. If you want to learn more, please enroll in the "Learning how to learn" course on Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn).

Let's start with some propositions regarding the brain (Part 1) and then see what learning techniques emerge from them (Part 2). Of course, if you want to read just the methods that would help you to improve your learning, you can skip Part 1 and start from Part 2.

PART 1: Some information about the brain...

A simplified definition of learning

Learning could be defined as creating patterns connecting a set of neurons. Synapses are single connections between neurons. However, brain connectivity is dynamic, which means new synapses are being formed while others disappear throughout the entire life of the brain.

Modes of the brain

The brain has two modes of thinking. Those are focus and diffuse modes. At any given time brain is in one of the two modes but never in both simultaneously.

The Focus mode of thinking is the conscious and logical use of the brain when solving equations, quizzes, puzzles, etc. However, it is also the narrower way of thinking. While in this mode, your mind jumps through a small set of highly related thoughts.

The Diffuse way of thinking relates more to unconsciousness, specifically, the 'resting' state of mind. So when you are resting, the mind starts to wander back and forth between a much larger set of thoughts that are not so much related between them compared to the focused mode.

Types of memory

Memory can be separated into two types: Working and Long-Term memory.

Working memory is used when you consciously process some bits of information. However, research shows that you can store up to 4 things in your working memory at once. This memory type is unreliable because the stored things get easily overwritten, or metabolic processes fade the data stored there away.

Long-Term memory is reliable compared to working memory. However, retrieving data from there is challenging because of the vast size of this type of memory. So, to quickly retrieve data from long-term memory, you have to strengthen the neural paths of this data by recall and repetition.

Chunking

Mental leap helps you unite bits of information together through meaning. It means a network of neurons that got activated together so you can think of a particular thought or act. When you start learning something new, you begin forming small chunks that, later, through practice, could be joined together, creating more complex thought patterns.

Sleep

Sleep is a crucial aspect of learning and memorization. This is because while you are sleeping, the brain cells shrink, which allows toxins to be literally washed out by a flow passing through these cells. So sleep is the cleaning phase for the brain from toxins accumulated during brain activity in the awake phase. Also, during sleep, less critical parts of memory are erased, while some other areas you want or need to remember are strengthened.

Emotions

Neurons in your cortex process and carry information about your surroundings and actions. They communicate with each other through chemical and electrical signals to enable various cognitive functions, such as perception, memory, and decision-making.

Neuromodulators are chemicals that modify how neurons communicate with each other. They don't "take information" directly; instead, they modulate neural circuits and influence the activity of neurons by altering their responsiveness to inputs. This modulation can affect various cognitive functions and help the brain encode the importance and value of experiences, often in the context of learning and memory. In summary, neuromodulators play a crucial role in shaping neural communication and adjusting how neurons respond to each other, ultimately impacting our perception, learning, and decision-making processes. Critical neuromodulatory systems are:

• Acetylcholine is involved in focused learning and attention and plays a crucial role in memory formation and consolidation.
• Dopamine controls motivation, reward processing, and reinforcement learning. It also helps regulate goal-directed behaviors and affects the brain's pleasure and reward systems.
• Serotonin affects mood, social behavior, appetite, sleep, and other essential functions. It also modulates risk-taking behavior, but its role is more complex and context-dependent than solely promoting or inhibiting risk-taking.

Emotions are intertwined with perception and attention, influencing learning and memory.

Einstellung effect

A psychological phenomenon where an individual's existing mental set or preferred way of approaching a problem interferes with their ability to find more efficient or optimal solutions. This predisposition can lead to a fixation on a familiar method, which may not be the best approach for the situation. As a result, the first idea that comes to mind can dominate and prevent better ideas from surfacing, hindering creativity and problem-solving.

Sequential versus Holistic thinking

Sequential thinking is a focused, structured, step-by-step thought process where each step logically leads to the next. It involves linear reasoning, often progressing through a problem or situation in a systematic manner. This mode of thinking is commonly used in analytical problem-solving, where breaking down complex issues into smaller, manageable parts is crucial.

In contrast, holistic thinking refers to a thought process that considers the whole system, the interconnections, and the relationships between its components rather than focusing on individual elements. Holistic thinkers tend to see the big picture and recognize patterns, striving to understand how the various parts fit together within the broader context. This mode of thinking can lead to insights about a system's overall structure and functioning, which may be less readily apparent when focusing on individual components.

Both sequential and holistic thinking have their strengths and are valuable in different contexts. Combining these modes of thought can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues and enable effective problem-solving across various domains.

Habit

A habit, in scientific terms, is a repetitive behavior that becomes automatic over time due to consistent practice or repetition. It's a neural pathway formed in the brain that strengthens as the behavior is repeated, making the action feel more natural and effortless.

When we perform an action repeatedly, the neurons in our brain responsible for that action start to communicate more efficiently. This increased efficiency is due to a process called "Hebbian learning," which is summed up by the phrase "neurons that fire together, wire together." As a result, the more we practice a behavior, the stronger the neural connections become, eventually turning it into a habit.

Habits can be beneficial, like exercising regularly, or detrimental, like smoking. Understanding the science behind habit formation can help individuals develop healthier habits and break undesirable ones by consciously changing their behavior and neural pathways over time.

A habit can be split into three main stages, part of a cyclical process known as the habit loop. These stages are:

1. Cue (Trigger): A stimulus or signal that initiates the habit. It can be an external event, such as a specific time of day or the presence of an object, or an internal event, like a feeling or a thought. The cue triggers the brain to initiate the automatic behavioral response associated with the habit.
2. Routine (Behavior): The actual behavior or action that constitutes the habit. It's the response to the cue and can be a physical action, a mental process, or even an emotional response. Routines are learned through repetition and become increasingly automatic as the habit is reinforced over time.
3. Reward (Reinforcement): The reward is the positive outcome or benefit of performing the routine. It reinforces the habit by providing satisfaction or pleasure, which the brain associates with the specific behavior. This reinforcement strengthens the neural pathways involved in the habit, making the behavior more likely to be repeated when the cue is reencountered.

Reconsolidation

A neuroscientific process that occurs when a previously consolidated memory is recalled and becomes temporarily unstable before being stored again. This process plays a crucial role in maintaining, strengthening, and modifying long-term memories in the brain.

When memory is initially formed, it goes through a process called consolidation, where the memory trace becomes stabilized in the brain, allowing it to be stored as long-term memory. However, when this memory is later retrieved, it enters a labile or unstable state, making it susceptible to changes, updates, or even weakening. The memory then undergoes reconsolidation, where it is stabilized once again and stored back into long-term memory.

Learning is not a linear process.

Learning is not a linear process. At times, the neuron paths generated from learning would be restructured, and then things you taught yourself to know might confuse you, but then your knowledge will "surprisingly" take a leap forward.

PART 2: Techniques for better learning

Beat Procrastination.

When you try to do something you would instead not do, you activate areas of the brain associated with pain. However, researches show that the neural discomfort vanishes ~5 minutes after the start of the unpleasant task. So try to use the Pomodoro technique described below:

1. Set a timer for 25 minutes.
2. Focus/Work.
3. After the time is up, reward yourself.
4. Repeat.

Try to think of metaphors, analogies, and associations.

These are powerful learning techniques. That's because when you want to learn a new concept, connecting, summarizing, and comparing it to something you already know helps you understand it better and makes memorization easier.

Aim for understanding.

Understanding alone won't guarantee memorization. But it certainly boosts learning because only when you genuinely understand something can you think of metaphors, analogies, or mentally "transfer" previously known concepts and ideas that connect with what you try to learn.

Use spaced repetition.

The technique means repeating what you try to retain in your long-term memory, but space this repetition out, for example, over several days. This way, the neural path would become more robust, and you will easily access the memory.

Do Recall.

A recall is the most powerful method for memorization. The optimal way of trying to recall is described with the following steps:

1. Learn something.
2. Take a break (let the diffuse mode strengthen the links).
3. Try to recall.
4. Relearn the things that were hardest to remember.

An important thing to note here is that your brain takes subliminal cues from your surroundings while learning. Therefore, to reduce this factor to a minimum, it is good to try recalling in different environments.

Also, recall is better than concept mapping because connecting chunks before being embedded in memory is harder. It's like playing a game before you know the rules.

Learn the essential concepts before going to sleep.

Learning something right before sleep increases your chance of dreaming about it, substantially enhancing your understanding ability. It is like the consolidation of easily grasped memory chunks.

Avoid overlearning.

Don't focus extensively only on a particular area of the material you are learning. Once you grasp the main idea, move on and continue with the other parts of the material. This way, you will have a more balanced and complete set of knowledge.

Deliberate practice.

Focus on the most challenging things and try to learn them better. Then, save time on the trivial concepts you already understand well enough. In this way, you will improve the efficiency of your learning.

Do flashcard retrievals.

While studying something, take the time to write down questions or brief notes (both referred to as flashcards). Then from time to time, use these cards to recall your memories. Doing that would strengthen your memories and understanding.

Take notes.

As already discussed, the working memory has four slots. When you take notes, you can free up some of these slots and use them for mentally "loading" new thoughts. It will help you with having brother thinking experience. Also, handwriting helps you to more deeply encode (convert into neural memory structures) what you are trying to learn.

Do planning.

It is always better to have a structured plan on how you intend to learn something. A great option is to plan on daily bases. An important note here is to always do your plan for the next day right before you go to sleep. In this way, the subconscious part of the brain can start working on some tasks while you are sleeping. Also, as a rule of thumb, start with the most challenging/unpleasant but critical task first. And finally, always plan your time for breaks as your working time; they are equally important.

Memorize using more senses.

It would increase the chance of memorizing what you want. So, for example, when you learn, try to "draw" a mental picture of the concept you want to remember and imagine how it would smell/taste/sense of touch, etc.

Interleave your learning

Try to change the context from time to time. For example, if you are working on a problem and already have found a solution, try to find as many more different solutions as possible. If you are learning a concept, connect it with related ideas you already have and see how it fits with them.

Try to avoid distractions and tempting situations.

Your willpower is scarce and easily worn out, so saving it for when it's most needed is better. With that being said, always try to remove yourself from settings with many distractions and temptations.

Do physical exercise and learn new skills.

Doing physical exercise and learning new skills could generate new neurons in your brain. However, remember that these neurons would die when not used, so physical exercise and constant learning should be a life-long process.

Thank you for reading until the end! Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! I would be happy to read them!