I came across an article that really resonated with me on a site called Mind Café…about 2 secrets to learning faster and remembering more of what you learn, as suggested by Albert Einstein and Richard Feynman, 2 famous physicists. Let me summarize it for you…
The first tip, from Albert Einstein, is to enjoy what you are learning… my take on that is to learn about subjects you are interested in. For example, I’ve been studying Spanish. I love to go to Spain, and it’s been helping me to understand signs and menus there. I’m still trying to learn to speak better, and that’s my current challenge.
Of course, sometimes you need to learn something that is, shall we say, less than exciting to advance in your job or to continue to do the job you’re already doing correctly. But, at the very least, you can set yourself challenges and take satisfaction on the achievement when you finish.
Increasingly, learning is being presented in an entertaining way. “Gamification” of learning, where lessons are turned into a game, is designed to hold your attention on the material, make it more fun and challenging, and give you a series of rewards throughout the program to give a feeling of achievement. Some learning games even create a competition between users to inspire them to study harder and longer!
The second secret, from Richard Feynman, is to teach others what you are learning. In addition to repeating the material as you do this, you also need to understand a concept well to explain it to another person. Even being able to summarize the essentials of what you are learning, requires you to have a good understanding of what you’ve been reading or studying. Feynman explained that the hallmark of true genius is the ability to explain a complex subject very simply… simple enough for an 8-year-old to understand! He was noted for being able to do this with quantum physics.
Using the material you have learned is known to be a good way to remember more of it, especially for adults. And teaching it to someone else is an effective way to use your new knowledge. Often the person you are teaching will have questions that will make you think more deeply about what you have learned, solidifying the new memories you have formed.
I think these two tips, enjoying what you learn and teaching or explaining it to others, resonated with me because (without realizing it) this is what I’ve been doing since I retired. I use a game called Duolingo every day to learn Spanish, and I write this blog to tell others about what I’ve been reading and learning! With my blog, not only do I constantly read so I will have something interesting to write about, I learn more about writing through this weekly practice I really enjoy. Interaction with readers is the icing on the cake. It’s so nice to hear from people and know that some actually read or listen to my articles!
Life-long learning is something that was not only encouraged but required when I was a practicing pharmacist. I still review educational programs for Canadian pharmacists, so I guess I never stopped my pharmacy learning. The practice of pharmacy constantly changes—new drugs, new regulations and, these days, new diseases to learn about. With the current pandemic evolving, there is new information almost every day, requiring us to change our behaviour. Even the experts are learning constantly about this virus. While this learning may not be enjoyable, I think we all realize how important it is for us to get it right. For some, it could be illness or death, for those around us if not for ourselves.
Lastly, learning something new keeps your mind sharp and your brain functioning, helping you to age well. And it helps to make you a more interesting person to socialize with too! You’ll always have lots to talk about when you keep learning new things.
So, leave a note below in the comments about something you’ve enjoyed reading or learning recently. It will help you remember and learn better, and maybe you’ll interest other readers in your favourite topic!
Reference:
2 Secrets to Learning Anything Faster: Lessons From Albert Einstein and Richard Feynman -- Mind Cafe
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