We live in a time where everyone needs to be able to learn fast to stay current. Science is constantly evolving and so should our memorization strategies. But how can we speed up our knowledge acquisition? Without further ado, here are some tips on how to learn 10x faster than normal:
1. Take Notes Effectively
Did you know that the way you take notes affects your learning speed? That’s right, to be able to memorize quickly, you need to take notes effectively. Write down the new information you get in an accurate and detailed manner, and then review it over and over. This will help strengthen your memory of what you study.
2. Use Your Own Words
Your words are what your mind is familiar with, hence they can serve as triggers to recall certain information previously encoded and stored in your brain. This is especially helpful in studying. You can write notes in your own words so that your mind can easily absorb new knowledge, reframe it and recognize it as part of your memory.
3. Write the Classic Way
After knowing the importance of writing, the next thing you want to do is take notes using a pen and paper instead of a smartphone’s writing app. Why? Because by actually writing, you’re actively involving your hands in the learning process, and it’s good.
Naturally, your eyes pay much more attention to what you put on paper than what you type on your smartphone. And since your vision is directly connected with the mind, this extra attention will significantly boost your memory’s performance in binding the new information it’s taking in.
4. Vocalize It
It’s often trickier to remember what you heard than what you said, because when you only use ears to listen, you only utilize one channel to the memory. By saying the information you learn out loud, however, you’ll make it stick in your mind as you’ll remember what you say and what you hear at the same time.
5. Break Down Your Studies
Break down your studies into smaller chunks so that they become lighter for your brain to process. This method might seem to slow down learning at the first glance. But once you put it into practice, you’ll find that you actually learn faster by playing slower like this.
The main reason for doing this is to make yourself feel more prepared and less overwhelmed, thus you’ll have enhanced mental focus and be able to increase your overall learning speed.
6. Change Your Practicing Style
Varied practicing styles make the acquisition of new knowledge interesting rather than a hassle. At one time you can read your material slowly, but at other times you can do it quickly. You can even occasionally add a little rhythm to your voice. Also, change the condition of your study space in each session.
The point to emphasize here is that your mind loves variation, so when you create it in your learning, you’ll tend to love what you do. And when it comes to obtaining new knowledge, it’s usually this feeling that drives people to their best.
