How We Learn Summary

Have you ever wondered why some memories stick for years while others vanish in moments? Benedict Carey unveils the tools to make learning both effective and engaging.

1. Memories Are Built Through Neuron Connections

Understanding how our brain builds and stores memories is the foundation of effective learning. Every memory starts with the stimulation of neurons in the brain. When these neurons form networks called synapses, a memory is stored. The more often you recall a memory, the stronger and faster the connection becomes, like building a well-trodden path.

Different memories are stored in different areas of the brain, which helps maintain organization. For instance, new and conscious memories, such as recalling a name, are managed by the hippocampus, while older memories are stored in the neocortex. Each part of the brain contributes uniquely to the memory process, making it more detailed and accessible.

Memories with multiple sensory details—such as sights, smells, or sounds—are easier to recall. For example, recalling your first day at school might conjure up the sound of the bell or the smell of your textbook. This is because these diverse stimuli activate different parts of the neocortex, forming a stronger, multi-faceted memory.

Examples

• Neurons create networks to store events like your first job interview.
• The hippocampus helps you remember meeting a new colleague today.
• The smell of a birthday cake can instantly bring back childhood memories.

2. Sleep Strengthens Memory and Learning

Sleep isn’t just for rest; it plays a vital role in cementing what you’ve learned. During sleep, your brain consolidates and organizes memories, making it easier to recall them later. Research shows that those who sleep after learning retain more information than those who don’t.

Different stages of sleep assist with different types of learning. For example, if you're trying to memorize facts, prioritize early sleep phases. On the other hand, REM sleep, which happens later in the sleep cycle, supports creativity and problem-solving. These stages allow your brain to process what you’ve learned more deeply.

Missing out on sleep significantly hampers your ability to retain information. In one study, participants who slept before a memory test performed far better than those who stayed awake. Whether it’s preparing for an exam or learning a new skill, sleep is your key partner.

Examples

• A study group that slept remembered 93% of a ranking task versus 69% for sleepless participants.
• Going to bed early helps with factual recall for subjects like history.
• Staying up late and ensuring some REM hours boosts creative thinking, like writing essays.

3. Changing Study Environments Improves Recall

Studying should not always occur in the same environment because variation enhances memory retention. Your brain associates learning with the context in which it occurs, such as sounds, smells, or the type of lighting. These environmental factors become cues that help you retrieve information more effectively.

For instance, listening to particular music while studying can help retain knowledge when the same music is played again. This was demonstrated in experiments where participants remembered twice as many words when the same music was present during both study sessions and tests.

To create adaptable memories, vary where and how you study. By exposing your brain to different settings, cues, and methods, you strengthen its ability to retrieve information even without the original context.

Examples

• Using the same music while studying and testing improves recall.
• Studying in a park one day and your bedroom the next broadens context-based memory.
• Switching between writing notes on paper and typing aids memory versatility.

4. Spaced-Out Practice Beats Cramming

While last-minute cramming feels productive, it’s less effective for long-term retention. Spacing out your study sessions over time helps solidify what you learn, a phenomenon known as the spacing effect. Revisiting material periodically strengthens neural connections, making the learned information last.

When you cram, your brain gets overloaded and tends to forget quickly due to limited processing time. In contrast, spacing study sessions allows your brain to revisit and reinforce material, like building layers on a foundation. Even short, scattered sessions are better than one long marathon.

An example is meeting someone new and forgetting their name hours later. However, if their name comes up again a week later during a conversation, your memory strengthens. This principle applies to academic and practical learning alike.

Examples

• Studying in bursts of three hours over several days beats nine-hour cramming sessions.
• Revisiting vocabulary cards every few days builds long-term memory.
• Athletes practicing drills over weeks excel more than those training only the day before a game.

5. Teaching Others Enhances Your Knowledge

Explaining a topic to another person solidifies your own understanding. Teaching forces you to organize your thoughts, simplify complex ideas, and recall details, all of which deepen your grasp of the material.

Even testing yourself is a powerful strategy. Quizzing your knowledge engages active recall, which strengthens neural pathways. Remarkably, even attempting questions you don’t know improves future retention when you learn the answers later.

In one study, students who took practice multiple-choice tests about a future topic scored 10% higher on related questions weeks later. Teaching or testing isn’t just about checking knowledge; it helps to lock newfound skills in place.

Examples

• Teaching a friend calculus principles helps you master them faster.
• Self-quizzing on biology terms builds stronger memory links.
• Attempting questions on a topic you haven’t studied yet prepares your brain to absorb it later.

6. Interruptions Can Boost Problem Solving

Pauses in work might seem like roadblocks, but they actually enhance creativity and retention. When you step away from a task, it lingers in your subconscious mind, allowing connections to form without active effort. This often leads to breakthroughs when you return with fresh eyes.

Interruptions also make unfinished tasks more memorable. Research shows people recall incomplete tasks better than completed ones, as the unresolved nature creates a mental hook. For this reason, taking breaks or allowing interruptions can foster deeper learning.

For example, taking a walk in the middle of solving a complex math problem could help shift your perspective. Returning later, the solution may come to you more easily as your brain has been processing in the background.

Examples

• A researcher found that interrupted crossword puzzles were more memorable for participants.
• Leaving an essay draft unfinished encourages new ideas during a break.
• Pausing mid-task helps problem-solving through subconscious processing.

7. Mix Up Practice to Build Versatile Skills

Repetition isn’t enough unless it’s varied. Practicing different skills simultaneously, or under varying conditions, actually improves your ability to adapt to new challenges. This approach strengthens your understanding and applies learning across multiple scenarios.

One study demonstrated this by having children practice beanbag throws. Those who trained with various target distances outperformed those who only practiced at one fixed distance. The variety in their training made them more adaptable to different situations, even unforeseen ones.

For study routines, instead of repeatedly solving the same type of problems, tackle a mix of examples. This not only prepares you for surprises but helps you understand concepts in depth.

Examples

• Mixed drill practices in sports lead to better overall performance.
• Cycling through topics like grammar, essays, and reading comprehension strengthens language learning.
• Dynamic application of geometry on varied problems deepens understanding.

8. Snap Judgments Come from Perceptual Training

Quick decisions are honed through experience and repetition. Known as perceptual learning, this skill allows learners to focus on critical details while filtering out irrelevant noise. Experts develop this through repeated exposure to similar tasks and consciously practicing discrimination.

For example, experienced pilots scan a cockpit’s numerous dials efficiently, focusing only on the necessary instruments. Similarly, medical students improve at identifying skin conditions by repeatedly analyzing collections of images to develop their diagnostic instincts.

Building this perceptual "intuition" isn’t limited to professionals. Frequent engagement with a specific task can train anyone to identify patterns and make faster decisions.

Examples

• Doctors practice identifying rashes through quick, repetitive image analysis.
• Chess players improve by studying opening strategies repeatedly.
• Baseball hitters’ reaction times improve with exposure to thousands of pitches.

9. Active Efforts Make Learning Stick

Effort makes learning last. Whether it’s explaining concepts, solving problems, or applying variability, the brain thrives under active engagement. It avoids passivity by stimulating networks that enhance memory and problem-solving skills.

For instance, reading and rereading aren’t as effective as solving quizzes or rephrasing notes in your own words. Active engagement not only strengthens retention but also makes concepts easier to apply in new contexts.

This insight applies to all learning areas—whether academic, creative, or athletic. Hands-on work ensures that your brain actively absorbs and applies what you learn.

Examples

• Rewriting study notes requires more engagement than simply highlighting text.
• Solving mock problems repeatedly strengthens analytical reasoning.
• Giving a presentation on a project ensures you retain its core concepts.

Takeaways

1. Study smarter by using spaced repetition and intermittent review rather than cramming.
2. Break down complex concepts by teaching or explaining them to others or yourself.
3. Adjust study environments and methods frequently to make memories more adaptable and long-lasting.