Learning

School taught you that learning means sitting in a classroom, absorbing information, and regurgitating it on tests.

This is a terrible model for actually learning things.

Real learning - the kind that sticks, that changes your capabilities, that matters - works differently.

Why most learning fails

Passive consumption. Reading, watching, listening feels productive. You’re taking in information! But passive consumption has terrible retention rates. Days later, most of it is gone.

No application. You “learn” something but never use it. Knowledge without application fades rapidly.

No feedback. You practice but don’t know if you’re doing it right. You reinforce errors instead of correcting them.

Wrong difficulty. Too easy and you’re not growing. Too hard and you’re floundering without productive struggle.

Cramming. Massing practice into short periods. Feels efficient, creates the illusion of learning, doesn’t last.

Lack of fundamentals. Trying to build advanced skills on shaky foundations. The structure collapses.

How learning actually works

Learning is physical. When you learn something, your brain literally changes - new neural connections form and strengthen. This takes time and repetition.

Some principles that align with how brains actually work:

Active retrieval beats passive review

Testing yourself is more effective than re-reading. Every time you retrieve information from memory, you strengthen the neural pathway.

Instead of: Reading your notes again Do: Close the notes and try to recall what you learned

This feels harder. It is harder. That’s why it works.

Spacing beats cramming

The forgetting curve is real. Without reinforcement, you lose most of what you learn within days.

Spaced repetition fights this: review material at increasing intervals. A little bit spread over time beats a lot at once.

Learn something
Review it the next day
Review it after a few days
Review it after a week
Review it after a month

Each review right before you’d forget it strengthens the memory maximally.

Interleaving beats blocking

Blocked practice: do all the problem type A, then all of problem type B Interleaved practice: mix A and B randomly

Interleaving feels harder and slower. But it produces better long-term retention and transfer to new situations. Your brain learns to identify problem types, not just execute solutions.

Difficulty is desirable (to a point)

Struggle is part of learning. If it’s easy, you’re not growing.

But there’s a sweet spot. Too easy = boredom, no growth. Too hard = frustration, no progress. Aim for challenging but achievable.

Sleep matters

Memory consolidation happens during sleep. Learning without adequate sleep is like writing on water. Your brain literally processes and stores what you learned while you sleep.

A practical learning framework

1. Define what you’re learning and why

Vague goals produce vague results. “Learn Spanish” is too broad. “Have a basic conversation in Spanish within 3 months” is better. “Learn 1000 common words and basic grammar” is specific and measurable.

Why matters too. Your brain prioritizes what it thinks is important. Connecting learning to real goals helps motivation and retention.

2. Get a map of the territory

Before diving in, understand the overall structure. What are the main components? How do they relate? What’s fundamental vs. advanced?

This doesn’t mean mastering everything - just getting oriented. A map helps you know where you are and where to go next.

3. Focus on fundamentals first

The temptation is to skip to interesting advanced stuff. But advanced skills built on weak fundamentals collapse.

Identify the core concepts and skills. Master those before moving on. This feels slow but is actually faster in the long run.

4. Learn actively

Take notes in your own words
Try to teach what you’re learning (even to yourself)
Work through problems without looking at solutions first
Create your own examples

Active engagement builds better understanding than passive consumption.

5. Get feedback

Find ways to know if you’re on track:

Tests and quizzes
Mentors or teachers who can assess you
Real-world application that shows what works and what doesn’t
Communities that can answer questions

Practice without feedback can reinforce errors.

6. Space and repeat

Don’t cram. Spread learning over time. Return to material periodically. Use spaced repetition systems (Anki, etc.) for factual knowledge.

7. Apply it

Use what you’re learning as quickly as possible. Real application cements learning and reveals gaps in understanding.

Theory without practice is forgotten. Practice applies theory and makes it stick.

Learning skills vs. learning facts

Different types of learning require different approaches:

Factual knowledge (vocabulary, dates, formulas): Spaced repetition is highly effective. Flashcards. Regular review.

Procedural skills (playing piano, coding, sports): Deliberate practice. Focus on specific sub-skills. Feedback. Repetition at the edge of your ability.

Conceptual understanding (how things work, why): Active engagement with ideas. Multiple perspectives. Teaching others. Application to varied situations.

Most real learning involves all three. Identify which type you’re working on and adjust accordingly.

The meta-skill

Learning how to learn is the most valuable meta-skill you can develop.

In a changing world, specific knowledge becomes outdated. The ability to quickly acquire new knowledge and skills doesn’t.

Becoming a good learner means:

Understanding how your brain works
Knowing which strategies are effective
Building habits that support learning
Being comfortable with the discomfort of not knowing

This compounds. Good learners get better faster at everything they try to learn.

A minimal approach

Be active, not passive (do, don’t just consume)
Test yourself frequently (retrieval practice)
Space your learning (don’t cram)
Get feedback (know if you’re on track)
Apply as soon as possible (use it or lose it)
Sleep adequately (let your brain consolidate)

Learning is a skill. Like any skill, you can get better at it.

Related: Habits (building learning routines), First Principles (understanding deeply), Career (skills that matter)