Teach17

Learning effectively is not about spending every evening staring at notes. It is about concentrating properly, practising the right things and returning to them before they are forgotten. Taking John Nirenga’s focus on attention, memory and skill development as a starting point, these ideas are also supported by research into retrieval practice, spaced learning, interleaving, deliberate practice and metacognition. The key is to begin with one or two changes rather than attempting all 17 at once.

1. Set one clear goal for each study session so that you know exactly what you are trying to achieve.
2. Break a large topic into smaller sections that can be learned and practised separately.
3. Put your phone in another room, as even having it beside you can compete for your attention.
4. Work for a short period without interruptions and then take a proper break.
5. Begin by writing down everything you can remember before opening your notes.
6. Turn headings from your notes or textbook into questions and try to answer them from memory.
7. Use flashcards by saying the complete answer before turning the card over.
8. Revisit the same material several times across the week instead of trying to learn it all in one evening.
9. Mix some older questions into each study session so that previous learning is not forgotten.
10. Practise different types of question together so that you must decide which method to use.
11. Explain an idea aloud in simple language as though you were teaching it to somebody else.
12. Study a worked example carefully and then attempt a similar problem without looking back.
13. Check answers promptly so that mistakes do not become established habits.
14. Correct each mistake and then attempt another question that tests the same skill.
15. Spend more time on the areas you find difficult rather than repeatedly practising what already feels comfortable.
16. Finish each session by asking what worked, what remains unclear and what you should practise next.
17. Protect your sleep and build a steady routine, because regular practice is more useful than exhausted last-minute cramming.

Find Learn Smarter, Not Harder by John Nirenga on Amazon UK