PN: How to study smart

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Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlU-zDU6aQ0

There are couple of principles to study smartly.

1. Work in sprints. The brain is not designed to study for prolonged periods of time without a break. On average you can focus for 25 min. Therefore, work in 25-60 min chunks of time alternately with 5-10 min breaks. Make sure to give yourself a 'treat' during the break - do something fun.

2. Environment. Have an environment specifically designed for learning. Your surroundings have an immense influence on you. All rooms have their functions - the bedroom is for sleeping and fucking; the kitchen is for cooking; the living room is for socializing, and so on. You need a place for studying. If you can't afford to have an entire room for that, invent some cues that will switch on the learning phase in your brain. You can use, specific music, items, etc. that will evoke your focus.

3. Elaborate. To really understand something you must deeply think it through. New information has to be related to what already exists so that your brain treats it as something important. Otherwise, you'll forget it. The best way to elaborate is to write about the new information you've acquired. It forces you to connect this new information to the existing information in a meaningful way. (more on writing) The other powerful way is to teach somebody the new concepts you've acquired. It forces you to transform the theory into your own words, which facilitates learning.

4. Survey books. Before you read something scan it. Look for the most important concepts like images, headlines, graphs, etc., and ask questions about them. By asking questions you'll force your mind to look for answers.

5. Space-repetitive learning. This is the most effective method for learning facts (more on learning facts).

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