🧠 How to Learn Anything Faster: Backed by Brain Science

🧠 How to Learn Anything Faster: Backed by Brain Science

Learning doesn’t stop after school. Whether you're a video editor, student, gamer, freelancer, or just someone trying to grow — the ability to learn fast and retain more is a game-changer.

But here's the problem:

Most people use outdated study techniques.

They read, reread, highlight, rewatch — and still forget most of it in a few days.

Why? Because they don’t know how the brain actually learns.

This post breaks down brain-based techniques to help you learn anything faster — and remember it for longer.

Let’s get started:

📌 1. Understand How Memory Works (Before You Study Anything)

Your brain doesn’t work like a hard drive — it’s more like a muscle.

To grow it, you need to challenge it, not just feed it.

Here’s a basic memory path:

Input: You watch/read/listen to something

Encoding: Your brain stores a rough version of it

Storage: It either fades away or strengthens over time

Retrieval: You recall the info when you need it

Most people focus only on input. But science shows retrieval is the real key.

🔁 2. Use Active Recall: Stop Reviewing, Start Remembering

Active recall is the #1 brain-approved learning technique. Instead of reading something over and over, you ask yourself questions and try to recall answers without looking.

Example:

❌ Passive: Read your notes 5 times

✅ Active: Close the notes and ask yourself, “What were the 3 steps of that process?”

This forces your brain to work harder — which strengthens memory and builds true understanding.

Use flashcards, apps like Anki, or just a blank paper to quiz yourself.

⏰ 3. Apply Spaced Repetition: Don’t Cram — Space It Cramming = short-term memory Spaced repetition = long-term learning

The idea is simple:

You review what you’ve learned at increasing time intervals — just before you're about to forget.

For example:

Day 1: Learn something

Day 2: Review it

Day 4: Review again

Day 7, Day 14, Day 30… and so on

This builds stronger neural pathways and makes the knowledge stick.

Apps like Anki, RemNote, or Quizlet do this automatically.

🧱 4. Chunk Information: Break Big Topics Into Small Units

Your brain can only hold about 4–7 pieces of information at a time in short-term memory.

So if you're trying to learn 20 new things at once, your brain gets overwhelmed.

The fix? Chunking.

Group related ideas together:

Don’t memorize 15 keyboard shortcuts randomly

Learn 3 shortcut groups: selection, trimming, and playback

Build one chunk at a time

Once each chunk becomes automatic, you combine them into expert-level workflows.

This works for editing tools, study topics, scripts, programming languages — anything.

🧠 5. Learn by Teaching: The Feynman Technique

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t really understand it.

Here’s how to use the Feynman Technique:

Pick a concept you just learned

Pretend you’re teaching it to a beginner (or write it down in your own words)

Identify gaps where you struggle

Go back, relearn, and simplify again

Teaching forces your brain to process deeply, not just memorize.

Even if no one’s watching, try explaining things out loud or writing blog posts, tweets, or short videos about them.

🧪 6. Mix Your Learning Styles: Use Multisensory Input

Different people learn differently — but your brain learns best when multiple senses are involved.

🧏‍♂️ Hear it → Listen to audio or lectures

👁 See it → Watch visuals, diagrams, or whiteboards

✍️ Write it → Take notes, sketch, or outline ideas

👄 Speak it → Teach out loud, explain to others

💪 Do it → Apply it hands-on (editing, coding, drawing, etc.)

The more pathways you use, the better your retention.

Bonus: Change environments while learning. Even small shifts (like a new room, different music, or time of day) help your brain create distinct memory anchors.

🎮 7. Turn Learning Into a Game: The Motivation Hack

Studying doesn’t have to feel like punishment.

Gamify it to stay consistent.

Try:

A habit tracker (tick off study sessions daily)

A reward system (1 hour deep work = 15 mins gaming)

A challenge streak (learn 1 new thing every day for 30 days)

Compete with friends or join online learning communities

When the process is fun, your brain keeps coming back — without burnout.

📱 8. Cut Dopamine Distractions During Learning Sessions

We already covered the dopamine trap in detail [insert link if you posted the previous article].

But here’s the quick tip:

Silence distractions while learning.

That means:

No notifications

No social media

No multitasking

Use Do Not Disturb or apps like Forest, Cold Turkey, or FocusMate

You’ll learn in half the time and remember twice as much.

🧠 Final Words: Smart Learning = More Freedom

You don’t need to study longer.

You need to study smarter.

By using science-backed techniques like active recall, spaced repetition, and chunking, you can:

Learn faster

Retain more

Build skills that last for years

And free up time for the things you truly love

Your brain is built to learn. You just have to use it the way it was designed.

🛠 BONUS TOOLKIT:

Here’s a list of apps to supercharge your learning process:

Anki – Spaced repetition flashcards

Notion – Organize notes, build second brains

Obsidian – Zettelkasten-style note linking

RemNote – Ideal for memory-based subjects

Readwise – Save and recall highlights from books/articles

Focusmate – Accountability work sessions with real people

Forest – Stay focused while growing trees