The World's Best Book Summaries
What makes information easy to remember? What are some specific factors of memorability? If you want to get information to stick in your memory, it helps to recall it often. Of course, it also has to be memorable to begin with. Memorability increases as the information connects to more and more parts of your brain. Read more to learn how to remember something by making it more memorable in the first place.
What are the three different types of choices? How can having more options make decisions even more difficult? In his book The Paradox of Choice, Professor Barry Schwartz discusses the three categories of choice: consumer choices, complex choices, and personal choices. Schwartz focuses on the fact that today we have more options than ever, and although that may appear to be a good thing at first, it actually causes more problems than it solves. Continue below to learn about each type of choice.
How well do you remember what you learn? What are some techniques that can help? Barbara Oakley, in her book A Mind for Numbers, discusses how to improve your memory for studying. She shares ways to make information more memorable and techniques for effective recall. These strategies, combined with insights from Moonwalking with Einstein author Joshua Foer, can help you remember what you learn. Keep reading for ideas on how to improve your memory for studying.
How do you learn? What are the actual brain mechanics of absorbing and recalling information? Understanding how people learn is helpful if you want to maximize your learning. You can alternate between your two modes of thinking in order to learn and solve problems more effectively. You also can store and recall more information when you have a handle on how memory works. Read on to better understand how people learn.
How are your learning habits? Is procrastination one of them? You can make the most of your study time when you take control of your habits. A Mind for Numbers includes four strategies for changing your learning habits—and three ways to overcome the habit of procrastination. Keep reading to discover how to establish effective learning habits.
Would you like to be a better learner? What study principles can serve you in school and for the rest of your life? If you’d like to learn how to become a good student, you can benefit from Barbara Oakley’s insightful and perhaps surprising strategies to get the most out of your studies. Her five principles include managing your competitive nature and using equation poetry. Continue reading to learn about these principles.
Why should you study in groups? How do you keep the group functional and effective? Barbara Oakley discusses the benefits of group study when it comes to maximizing your learning. She also offers insights for keeping the group healthy and on task. Read more to about effective group study.
Do you struggle with test-taking anxiety? How might your test performance improve if you successfully managed that anxiety? According to Barbara Oakley, test-taking anxiety can be relieved by managing your time, changing how you view your anxiety, exercising mindfulness, using breathing exercises, and recording your feelings. She describes these strategies in her book A Mind for Numbers. Read more to learn these tips for managing test-taking anxiety.
Do you know how to take tests well? What strategies work the best? A Mind for Numbers author Barbara Oakley recommends the “hard-start-jump-to-easy” test-taking strategy. It has five steps, and it leverages the way your brain works. We’ll discuss this strategy and compare it with a few others. Keep reading to learn how to take tests.
Do you tend to put off studying until the last minute? Do you cram rather than measure your time? In A Mind for Numbers, author Barbara Oakley addresses the problem of procrastination, particularly in the context of learning math and science. She explains why procrastination (including cramming) is a problem, outlines the four components of habitual procrastination, and shares seven strategies for overcoming procrastination. Keep reading to learn how to stop procrastinating and start studying.