Learning How to Learn: How to Succeed in School Without Spending All Your Time Studying; A Guide for Kids and Teens

by Barbara Oakley

Sometimes we need to lose concentration so we can think more clearly. Zoning out occasionally (not all the time) can be useful when you’re learning or problem solving.

When you are trying to learn something new, you must first focus intently on it in order to “turn on” those parts of the brain and get the learning process started.

To be a successful problem solver, focus first. We get stuck in problem solving when we don’t first prepare our brain by focusing on the basics. Don’t just dive into problem solving without studying the explanations first.

Procrastination is the enemy of high-quality learning.

But the idea of multitasking is a mistake. Your focus can only be on one thing at a time. When you switch your attention, you waste mental energy, and you will perform worse.

Active recall is a powerful technique for learning. Pull key ideas from your own mind to review them. Don’t just look at a page or your notes and fool yourself into thinking that the information is in your head.