If you really want to learn, and you want to learn more quickly and more deeply, pay attention to how you pay attention. Think about how you think. Learn how you learn.
Most of us did not take courses on metacognition or learning theory when we were growing up. We were expected to learn, but rarely taught to learn.
(Head First Design Patterns)
-
Slow down. The more you understand, the less you have to memorize. - Don’t just read. Stop and think.
-
Do the exercises. Write your own notes. - Use a pencil. There’s plenty of evidence that physical activity while learning can increase the learning.
-
There are No Dumb Questions
-
Talk about it. - Speaking activates a different part of the brain.
-
Listen to your brain. - Pay attention to whether your brain is getting overloaded.
-
Feel something! Get involved with the stories. Make up your own captions or images about the topics.
-
Design something! Apply the knowledge to something new you’re designing, or refactor an older project.