5 ways to learn new things

“What a pity that I left music school”, “I envy those who speak foreign languages” — those who speak as if they mean: I can’t master all this anymore, I had to study when I was (and ) is younger. But age is not a hindrance to learning, moreover, it is extremely beneficial for our brain. And modern science offers many tips on how to make the learning process less laborious and more effective.

The main thing is the foundation

It is generally accepted that the key to success in mastering new things is to do as much as possible (learn new information, train skills, etc.). The “rule of 10 hours” was even formulated – as if that is how long it takes to become an expert in any field. However, research in recent years has shown that increased practice does not always guarantee excellent results.

In many cases, success depends on natural factors such as talent and IQ, as well as motivation. But here’s what exactly depends on us: classes at the initial stage of training play a decisive role. For example, when learning a language, the most important thing is to master the basics (alphabet, pronunciation, grammar, etc.). In this case, training will be much easier.

Take a nap after class

Do you want what you learned to be well remembered? The best way is to take a short nap after class. Previously, it was believed that information is ordered in a dream, today researchers have come to the conclusion that sleep after class helps to consolidate what has been learned. Psychologists from New York and Peking Universities showed that sleep-deprived mice slowed down the growth of dendritic spines in the prefrontal cortex, which are responsible for remembering information.

Conversely, in mice that slept for seven hours, the growth of spines became more active.

In other words, sleep promotes the formation of neural connections in the brain and helps to consolidate new information. So do not scold yourself if after class you start to nod off, but allow yourself to take a nap.

Class time matters

Surely you have heard about the biological clock or circadian rhythms that determine the rhythm of our life. For example, the peak of our physical activity falls between 11 am and 7 pm. In terms of mental activity, the most productive times are around 9 am and around 9 pm.

In the experiment, participants had to memorize pairs of words at 9 am or 9 pm. Then the strength of remembering information was tested after 30 minutes, 12 hours and 24 hours. It turned out that for short-term memorization, the time of classes did not matter. However, the test after 12 hours was better for those who slept all night after class, i.e. those who worked out in the evening.

But even more interesting was the result of the test conducted a day later. Those who took a short nap after class and then stayed awake all day did better than those who stayed awake all day after class, even if they slept through the night afterwards.

It turns out that the best way to remember something properly is to work out and then sleep, as we said above. In this mode, explicit memory is stabilized, that is, the type of memory that allows us to voluntarily and consciously activate the available information.

Arrange yourself checks

Tests and exams are not only a way to test knowledge. It is also a way to consolidate and store this knowledge in long-term memory. Students who passed the exam know the material they have covered better than students who had more time to study it, but did not pass the exam.

So, if you are studying something on your own, it is worth periodically checking yourself. If you use a textbook, the task is easier: at the end of the chapters there will certainly be tests for mastering the material — and you should not neglect them.

Less is better, but better

When we’re passionate about something new, whether it’s playing the guitar or a foreign language, there’s always the temptation to study hard. However, the desire to learn everything and immediately will not give the desired effect. Experts advise distributing this work over a longer period and “absorbing” information in small portions. This is called «distributed learning».

This approach protects against burnout. Instead of sitting for two hours for textbooks a couple of times a week, it is better to devote 15-20 minutes to classes every day. A little time is always easier to find in the schedule. And in the end, you will learn more and move further.

About the author: Kendra Cherry is a psychologist and blogger.