Recently, I’ve begun to learn the Coursera course: Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects. Since middle school, I have sought to find ways to improve the methods and mindset of learning once in a while. Usually, the book and articles are my go-to source for this kind of reflection. The advice from the literature is often personal and objective. The course, on the other hand, based on a lot of studies, fills the gap in the knowledge I have learned before. Here are some takeaways from the course.
## Two modes of brain
The brain works in two ways: focused mode and diffused mode.
The focused mode is when you do one thing with complete attention. Some people call it flow state. In this mode, people can do difficult tasks, and learn highly logical topics.
The diffused mode is quite the opposite. It refers to the status that one’s mind flows freely. It occurs when you are in a bath, running, or sitting on the beach. In this mode, people are often very creative. Clever solutions to hard problems can be found in the light bulb moment.
When studying new topics, especially hard subjects, we should switch between these two modes. That is usually around a 45-minute class or a Pomodoro clock. Maybe that is why in the school, the class hours is limited.
## Memory
There are also two kinds of memory: working memory and long-term memory.
The working memory exists at the moment. They are short-term, like the memory in computers.
The long term memory is the information that is a part of our brain. To achieve long-term memory, the core technique is Spaced Repetition. It means practice and time. That’s why the large number of homework could work to some degree. However, it is not efficient. A better way is to manage the practice with software like Anki backed with spaced repetition algorithms.
## Sleep
In order to learn in the long term, relaxed session and sleep plays an important role in forming the memory. As John Hamilton said in [his article](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/10/18/236211811/brains-sweep-themselves-clean-of-toxins-during-sleep/), the brain clears out harmful toxins while sleep. Sleep at a time means being weak and not working hard enough, especially in Asian communities. Some people reduce it as short as possible. But for the sake of health and better learning, sleep is essential and not just a waster of time.
To be continued…
