Learn Smarter, Not Harder
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel
Education, Psychology
TL;DR
This ain't your grandma's study guide. It's about hacking your brain to actually remember stuff instead of just cramming and forgetting. Think active recall (pulling info from your brain like a boss), spreading out your study sessions (no more all-nighters, fam), mixing up topics (don't just do math for 8 hours straight), and connecting new info to old (like building a mental Lego castle). Basically, it's about working smarter, not harder, so your brain actually sticks to the info and you don't feel like a goldfish with a 3-second memory.
Action Items
After reading something, close the tab/book and try to write down everything you remember about it for 5 minutes. No peeking!
Pick a topic you need to learn. Study it for 20 minutes today, then set a reminder to review it for 10 minutes tomorrow, and again in 3 days.
If you have multiple subjects or topics to study, spend 15-20 minutes on one, then switch to another for 15-20 minutes, and then back to the first or a third. Don't just stick to one!
After learning a new concept, try to explain it out loud to an imaginary friend (or a real one, if you're brave) using an analogy from your daily life.
Before starting a new topic or chapter, spend 5 minutes writing down everything you think you already know about it or what you expect to learn.
Unlock the full book to see more action items
Key Chapter
Chapter - The Power of Pulling Info Out of Your Brain
Ever feel like you 'know' something just because you've read it a million times? This chapter drops the truth bomb: that's an illusion of knowing. Your brain's like a muscle; you gotta flex it to make it stronger. Instead of just re-reading notes, force yourself to recall information from scratch. Think of it as a mental scavenger hunt. The more you struggle to pull that info out, the stickier it becomes. It's like trying to remember a meme you saw last week – the effort makes it embed deeper. So, ditch the passive re-reads and start quizzing yourself like your life depends on it. Your future self (and your grades) will thank you.
Key Methods and Approaches
The Brain Scavenger Hunt
(AKA: Retrieval Practice)
Description:
Actively pulling info from your memory instead of just re-reading notes or passively consuming content.
Explanation:
Your brain's like a messy attic. Just staring at the boxes won't help you find your old Pokémon cards. You gotta dig through the junk, pull stuff out, and maybe even trip over a few things. That struggle? That's what makes the memory stick. It's like trying to remember your ex's birthday – the effort makes it unforgettable (for better or worse).
Examples:
Closing your textbook and trying to explain a concept out loud to your dog.
Using flashcards, but only looking at the question side first and forcing yourself to recall the answer.
Doing practice problems without looking at the solutions until you've given it your best shot.
Trying to recall the plot of a movie you watched last week without Googling anything.
Today's Action:
After reading something, close the tab/book and try to write down everything you remember about it for 5 minutes. No peeking!
End of Preview
Want to read the complete insights, methods, and actionable takeaways? Unlock the full book experience with Pro.
Your daily 1-minute insights