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Learn the basics of how human memory works, and techniques for making knowledge stick in long-term memory. Here's a few resources that teach this at an approach
by ubj 4y ago
Learn the basics of how human memory works, and techniques for making knowledge stick in long-term memory. Here's a few resources that teach this at an approachable level:
[1] A Mind for Numbers (book): https://barbaraoakley.com/books/a-mind-for-numbers/ https://barbaraoakley.com/books/a-mind-for-numbers/
[2] Learning How To Learn (Coursera course): https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn
[3] Make It Stick (book): https://www.retrievalpractice.org/make-it-stick https://www.retrievalpractice.org/make-it-stick
[4] Augmenting Long-Term Memory (blog post): http://augmentingcognition.com/ltm.html http://augmentingcognition.com/ltm.html
[5] SuperMemo Guru (website): https://supermemo.guru/wiki/SuperMemo_Guru https://supermemo.guru/wiki/SuperMemo_Guru
[6] Nelson Dellis (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnINhoHWuVjUDXp7dav5e3A https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnINhoHWuVjUDXp7dav5e3A
I second the use of Anki--it's a great tool. Other (non-free) options include SuperMemo and IDoRecall.
- drakonka 4y agoThank you especially for linking the Augmenting Long-Term Memory post. I'm just on the part going through the author's usage of Anki and it has already inspired me to download the client and try it myself as well. I don't think I'll put nearly as many things in it as the author says he does, but it sounds like it can be an incredible tool for whatever we find worth remembering. Update: After reading the API section of this post, I found this very last part interesting in the context of OP's question[0]. I thought it may be worth highlighting to the OP that even a heavy user of a memory system recognizes that knowledge we don't regularly use may not be worth remembering. [0]"A more challenging partial failure mode is Ankifying what turn into orphan APIs. That is, I'll use a new API for a project, and Ankify some material from the API. Then the project finishes, and I don't immediately have another project using the same API. I then find my mind won't engage so well with the cards – there's a half-conscious thought of “why am I learning this useless stuff?” I just no longer find the cards as interesting as when I was actively using the API. This is a difficult situation. I use the rule of thumb that if it seems likely I'm not going to use the API again, I delete the cards when they come up. But if it seems likely I'll use the API in the next year or so, I keep them in the deck. It's not a perfect solution, since I really do slightly disconnect from the cards. But it's the best compromise I've found."
- ubj 4y agoGreat points. I agree that one of the challenges is identifying what knowledge is worth investing the time to bake into long-term memory. Paying attention to what knowledge I (or top performers) use most often in practical projects / everyday work has helped. I also try to identify fundamentals; i.e. chunks of knowledge that experts in a field have identified as critical to understanding that field.
- orzig 4y agoThird-ing the use of Anki, and I found it weirdly inspirational to watch YouTube videos of how Med Students use the system. It's some combination of being energized by their go-getter attitude, and being deeply relieved that I'm not in their shoes
- dotancohen 4y agoForthing the use of Anki. I actually do most of my studying on mobile, using Ankidroid. And though it works great on a regular LCD phone, I absolutely love it on an E-Ink ebook reader. I personally use the Barnes and Noble Nook, because you can install Ankidroid and a launcher in ten minutes without root on that device.