Snackz logo
Learning how to Learn

Barbara A. Oakley, Terrence Joseph Sejnowski, Alistair McConville

247 Pages
2018

Learning how to Learn

Below is just an AI summary! If you really want to learn something:

โšก Free 3min Summary

"Learning How to Learn" - Summary

"Learning How to Learn" by Barbara Oakley, Terrence Sejnowski, and Alistair McConville is a transformative guide designed to help students of all ages unlock their full learning potential. Drawing from the popular online course of the same name, this book translates complex neuroscience and cognitive psychology into practical strategies that can be easily applied to improve study habits and master any subject. The authors explain how the brain learns, emphasizing the importance of switching between focused and diffuse modes of thinking, and introduce techniques like "chunking" information for better recall. The book is filled with colorful illustrations, relatable anecdotes, and practical exercises, making learning both engaging and fun. What makes "Learning How to Learn" special is its emphasis on active learning techniques over rote memorization, and its message that anyone, regardless of their background or perceived intelligence, can learn more effectively. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their learning abilities and achieve academic success.

Key Ideas

1

Embrace "desirable difficulties"

The book highlights the importance of challenging oneself, even if it leads to initial struggles. These "desirable difficulties" can lead to deeper and more meaningful learning, as they force the brain to work harder and form stronger neural connections.

2

Use recall and spaced repetition

Regularly retrieving information from memory, rather than simply reviewing notes, strengthens neural connections and improves long-term retention. Spaced repetition, or spreading out study sessions over time, is also emphasized as a powerful technique for enhancing memory and understanding.

3

Harness the power of sleep

Sleep plays a critical role in consolidating memories and improving understanding. The authors explain how getting adequate rest can enhance learning and provide tips for optimizing sleep to maximize its benefits for cognitive performance. <h2>Key Ideas</h2>

1

Embrace "desirable difficulties"

The book highlights the importance of challenging oneself, even if it leads to initial struggles. These "desirable difficulties" can lead to deeper and more meaningful learning, as they force the brain to work harder and form stronger neural connections.

2

Use recall and spaced repetition

Regularly retrieving information from memory, rather than simply reviewing notes, strengthens neural connections and improves long-term retention. Spaced repetition, or spreading out study sessions over time, is also emphasized as a powerful technique for enhancing memory and understanding.

3

Harness the power of sleep

Sleep plays a critical role in consolidating memories and improving understanding. The authors explain how getting adequate rest can enhance learning and provide tips for optimizing sleep to maximize its benefits for cognitive performance.

FAQ's

The main focus of "Learning How to Learn" is to provide practical strategies based on neuroscience and cognitive psychology to help individuals improve their study habits and master any subject more effectively.

"Learning How to Learn" is beneficial for students of all ages, educators, and anyone interested in enhancing their learning abilities and achieving academic success.

Some key techniques discussed include switching between focused and diffuse modes of thinking, chunking information for better recall, using recall and spaced repetition, and optimizing sleep for cognitive performance.

Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!

Explore Books

They Called Us Exceptional

They Called Us Exceptional

And Other Lies That Raised Us

Prachi Gupta

289 Pages
2024
Good Strategy Bad Strategy

Good Strategy Bad Strategy

The Difference and Why It Matters

Richard Rumelt

338 Pages
2011
Savage Messiah

Savage Messiah

How Dr. Jordan Peterson Is Saving Western Civilization

Jim Proser

320 Pages
2020
The Wretched of the Earth

The Wretched of the Earth

Frantz Fanon

328 Pages
2007
Cristiano and Leo

Cristiano and Leo

The Race to Become the Greatest Football Player of All Time

Jimmy Burns

0 Pages
2018
The New Class War: Saving Democracy from the Managerial Elite

The New Class War: Saving Democracy from the Managerial Elite

Lind, Michael

224 Pages
2020
Intellectual Property Law

Intellectual Property Law

Commercial, Creative and Industrial Property

Jay Dratler, Jr., Stephen M. McJohn

1386 Pages
2023
Machine Learning For Dummies

Machine Learning For Dummies

John Paul Mueller, Luca Massaron

464 Pages
2021
With Love, Echo Park

With Love, Echo Park

Laura Taylor Namey

260 Pages
2024
Adelaide

Adelaide

A Novel

Genevieve Wheeler

277 Pages
2023
Resurrection Men

Resurrection Men

Ian Rankin

484 Pages
2005
Elon Musk

Elon Musk

A Mission to Save the World

Anna Crowley Redding

214 Pages
2019
Pedro Pรกramo

Pedro Pรกramo

Rulfo, Juan, Weatherford, Douglas J., Mรกrquez, Gabriel Garcรญa

144 Pages
2023
Othello

Othello

William Shakespeare

136 Pages
1883
Loose-Leaf for Strategic Management

Loose-Leaf for Strategic Management

Frank T. Rothaermel

576 Pages
2020
The City of Falling Angels

The City of Falling Angels

John Berendt

534 Pages
2006
Starling House

Starling House

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick that is the perfect dark Gothic fairytale for autumn!

Alix E. Harrow

392 Pages
2023
Half of a Yellow Sun

Half of a Yellow Sun

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

560 Pages
2008
Happy Place

Happy Place

Emily Henry

401 Pages
2023
Along Came a Spider

Along Came a Spider

(Alex Cross 1)

James Patterson

454 Pages
2017
The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom

The First Cat in Space and the Soup of Doom

Mac Barnett

275 Pages
2023
Unbroken

Unbroken

A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Laura Hillenbrand

497 Pages
2010
The Human Stain

The Human Stain

Philip Roth

405 Pages
2010
A River of Golden Bones (The Golden Court, Book 1)

A River of Golden Bones (The Golden Court, Book 1)

A.K. Mulford

421 Pages
2023
The Echo of Old Books

The Echo of Old Books

A Novel

Barbara Davis

0 Pages
2023
Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Includes 12 Groovy Stories!

James Dean

0 Pages
2017
Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong

Rachel Koestler-Grack

52 Pages
2009
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle

Haruki Murakami

827 Pages
2011
Sunset

Sunset

--

638 Pages
1926
We Do Not Part

We Do Not Part

A Novel

Han Kang

0 Pages
2025

Let's find the best book for you!

Get book summaries directly into your inbox!

Join more than 10,000 readers in our newsletter

Snackz book
Snackz logo

The right book at the right time will change your life.

Get the books directly into your inbox!

โœ… New Release

โœ… Book Recommendation

โœ… Book Summaries

Copyright 2023-2025. All rights reserved.