We need to categorise different types of learning. I will use some examples to illustrate. Maths / Comp Sci: Knowledge here is heavily theoretical and problem

We need to categorise different types of learning. I will use some examples to illustrate. Maths / Comp Sci: Knowledge here is heavily theoretical and problem solving. For both, the only way to learn effectively is to take exercises and practice, practice, practice. I've studied both at university level and this is the only method that works. Philosophy / History / English (ie. humanities): I (along with my classmates) have always been led to believe that the humanity subjects are about fact memorisation. Although memorisation is certainly a component of such subjects, it should not be the primary component. First and foremost, the student must understand the ideas and events. Thereafter, they can plug in facts they have learned off. To achieve understanding, the method is as old as knowledge itself - read and write. Read to find questions to ask, write to answer your questions. Music / art: For the creative arts, practice is the primary tool to learn and progress. Mentorship is a critical part too, but secondary to practice. Language: To learn a new language, only one thing has ever worked for me - complete immersion. Without being in the country that speaks the language and practicing everyday, I have never made any progress. TOOLING - I have some thoughts on different tools for learning, but it is by no means extensive. I guess that each person is unique in how they learn - something we do not understand very well. I don't know of any test that figures out what kind of learner you are similar to a personality test. Books: My primary way of learning. I read, write in the margins, underline, find a question and then write about it. Without writing about it, reading was a waste of time (for non-fiction anyway). Articles: I regularly check HN each day for anything of interest. Most of the time, I can't say that I learn much. This is probably because I cannot write and absorb the author's writing like I would in a book. Videos: I've given up with videos unless a visual representation is needed. In particular, programming videos seem to be a waste of time except for explaining basic concepts. That's not to say I waste a HUGE amount of time on youtube...but there you go. Podcasts: My favourite way of picking up new ideas when I'm driving. I try to pick multiple podcasts at a time with the same topic so that something (but not much) sticks in my head. Anki: Tried it - it reduced learning, which I enjoyed, to a chore I needed to remember to do everyday. I foresaw I would get burnt out from learning if I continued to use it. Zettelkasten (software): For me, taking notes on a computer does not ingrain itself as much as physical notes. I tried Zettelkasten software and found it a similar experience to Anki. Zettelkasten (physical): This has been my favourite method of note taking. By manually creating my notes and figuring out the system to link them up, the web of knowledge is created much faster than the software equivalent. However, something similar happened as when I tried to use Anki. My focus switched from "I want to learn this" to "I need to put this in a nice note". Maybe I didn't practice it enough to get good at it. I plan on returning to it again to give it another shot. Writing blog posts: THIS. Following Dr. Peterson's essay writing guide, I find I am building up expertise quite quickly. This is my favourite and, frankly, best way of learning. It is strange because there are no tricks involved and it is the oldest method of learning. BUT, I do think it is the most difficult method. Maybe that's why it is so effective.