Learning Tips to Help You Get Smarter in Less Time

Learning Tips to Help You Get Smarter in Less Time

Learn about powerful learning tips to help you get smarter in less time. Short, proven study techniques and practical strategies to boost your brain power for students, workers, professionals and lifelong learners.

Introduction

Have you ever wanted to learn more things faster while taking less time to read, memorize and practice? In our fast-paced world, time is one of the most precious resources we have. Whether you are a student with upcoming exams, a professional upgrading or learning a new skill, or just someone interested in teaching themselves new things, learning to learn in a smarter way (instead of a harder way) can change your life.

To be clear, learning is not only about intelligence; it is about using the right strategies. You'll save time, learn more, and even enjoy learning, with these learning tips. After years of trying different ways to learn and practicing strategies for effective learning, I have organized and distilled the best study techniques for learning that actually work.

With that said, here are 10 powerful tips to make you smarter, in less time.

1. Prioritize Active Learning over Passive Learning

Many people read a textbook or reread their notes and highlight as they read words on the page or words on a computer screen. Highlighting and re-reading are forms of passive learning. When we actively think about the information, our brains keep the information we are grappling with or actively working to retrieve or remember, much better.

Here are several ways to develop active learning:

1. Summarizing a chapter in your own words.

2. Teaching the concept to another person.

3. Creating flashcards for self-testing.

When I started to teach topics I learned in that moment to a friend, I noticed I understood them so much better. If you can simply explain it, you have learned it!

2. Spaced Repetition

Cramming for an exam will probably work for class tomorrow, but you will forget the material within the week. Instead of reviewing the material linearly or in one sitting, try spaced repetition. In spaced repetition, you review the same information spaced out over time intervals.

Using spaced repetition, you might review a topic after 1 day, then 3 days, then a week, and so on. This may seem complicated, but it becomes extremely efficient with applications like Anki and Quizlet.

Spaced repetition creates long-term memory, which allows us to be quantitatively smarter by studying less, but actually remembering.

3. Use the 80/20 Rule in Your Learning

The Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. In terms of learning, this means to prioritize the most critical topics first.

For instance, while I was studying a foreign language, I realized that learning 20% of the words that were used most frequently, allowed me to comprehend 80% of daily conversation.

Before worrying about the little insignificant things, first find the critical concepts that will give you the greatest results.

4. Practice Interleaving, Not Just Repetition

Instead practicing one skill over and over again, try practicing related but different subjects in your studies. This is called interleaving.

For Example:

If you are studying mathematics, you might practice with algebra, geometry, and word problems.

If you are studying foreign languages, you might read, speak, and listen.

Interleaving encourages your brain to work across differing topics and helps build your problem-solving skills.

5. Utilize Brain Breaks

Your brain can’t focus for hours without a break or pause. Taking short, intentional breaks will improve focus and creativity. The Pomodoro Technique is a proven time management method that involves:

Study for 25 minutes.

Take a 5 minute break.

After four sessions, take a longer 15 – 20 minute break.

When I used this technique for longer study days, I learn more information in a shorter period with breaks versus cramming without breaks.

6. Use visualization and mind mapping

Our brains love visuals. Just like you read information better in short passages, we also understand complex ideas easier when we can turn them into a diagram, chart or mind map.

For example, when studying history I would create a timeline of events that had images or keywords connected. When studying biology I would create a mind map of the body systems and how they work collaboratively.

Visualization of information makes learning more interactive and fun.

7. Train your brain through practice and not just reading.

Learning is not just about input (reading, listening), It also includes output (practice, problem solving). For example:

Instead of just reading about coding and tutorials- build small projects.

Instead of just watching and instructional videos on guitar- practice your chords.

Studies are clear that practice sharpens much more neural pathways making you become smarter in mastering that skill much faster.

8. Establish an Effective Study Environment

Distraction degrades productivity. Your environment influences how well you learn. Here's how to create a positive study environment:

Study in a location that is quiet and does not have a lot of things.

If you like, you can add background noises or focus music.

Keep your phone out of sight (or use apps to block social media).

When I changed from studying in bed to studying at a desk, I was able to increase my focus significantly.

9. Enhance your Learning with Healthy Habits

Your brain is a muscle - like most muscles, it functions best when fueled properly. Several habits improve the performance of your brain:

Sleep. You should be getting 7 - 8 hours of sleep a night. Insufficient sleep will compromise your memory.

Diet. You want to look for foods associated with brain health like: blueberries, nuts, fish (omega 3s).

Exercise. Physical activity is also helpful in improving concentration, improving creativity.

When I was at university, I noticed that going for as little as just 20 minutes of walking a day, helped clear my head and made studying / learning more productive.

10. Make Learning Fun and Relevant

The fastest way to learn something is to simply enjoy it. Associate new knowledge with your interests / passions or with real-life situations your brain recognizes.

For example:

If you love sports, design math problems with sports examples.

If you're learning a new language, watch a movie or listen to songs in the other language.

The more relevant the learning feels, the more your brain is willing to engage with it.

Personal Reflections

Not too long ago, I spent many long nights reading and memorizing textbooks, only to forget almost everything the next day. I thought learning was mostly about rote memorization. It wasn't until I discovered techniques like: spaced repetition, active recall, and teaching others to learn, that I improved my grades — but more importantly — I actually enjoyed learning.

Now I approach learning as a skill that I can develop, rather than a burden. Honestly, I think it’s to be one of the best investments in myself that I have ever made.