How we can Learn over Consumption

Stop Just Consuming, Start Creating: Unlock Your Learning Superpowers!

Ever feel like you're drowning in information? Articles, notes, lectures... it's a never-ending stream. But be honest, how much of it actually sticks? And even more importantly, how often are you truly creating something new from all that input?

As students (and let's be real, lifelong learners!), we're experts at passive absorption. We read, we listen, we watch. But are we challenged enough to build, to construct, to make something from the knowledge we're gathering? Probably not as much as we should be.

The big question is: should we just keep filling our brains with information and then think about creating, or should we flip the script and dive into creation right from the start?

During my journey, I stumbled upon a powerful truth: if you can't reproduce something – an argument, a formula, a concept – you haven't truly learned it. Creation isn't just the end goal of learning, it's actually the fastest path to deep understanding.

Think about it: when you're forced to create, you engage with the material on a whole different level. You're not just a passive observer anymore; you're actively wrestling with the ideas, reflecting on what you've actually retained.

And here's the kicker: creation exposes your knowledge gaps like nothing else. You hit a wall when trying to explain a new concept, or reproduce a complex formula. Suddenly, it's crystal clear where your understanding is shaky. And that's a good thing! It means you know exactly where to focus your learning efforts.

So, how do we shift from passive consumption to active creation? Let's dive into some techniques I used during my PhD to internalize information faster and become a learning powerhouse.

Learning Through Creation: It's the Real Deal

Seriously, the best way to learn something is by creating something with it. Ever been asked to re-explain an argument you just heard, maybe even try to improve it? Suddenly, it's not so easy, right? Many of us struggle to even reproduce an argument we just passively listened to!

That's why I suggest making active reflection a daily habit. Take some time, morning and evening, to organize your thoughts. Jot down notes, actively think about what you've heard or learned. Do it after a lesson, a lecture, a meeting – whenever you've taken in new information.

As a researcher, I attend tons of lectures. My go-to move? Quick notes afterwards, summarizing the key points. Sometimes, these notes even become the seeds for blog posts on my neuroscience website (which I'll link below if you're curious!). This simple act of note-taking and summarizing transforms lectures from passive listening sessions into active understanding experiences. Develop this habit, and you'll be amazed at how much better you retain information over time.

Active Learning vs. Passive Learning: It's Not Even a Fair Fight

Passive learning? That's just listening. You're not actively doing anything with the information. Active learning, on the other hand, is all about reproducing and engaging with the material. It's about making the information your own.

Let's explore some active learning study techniques that were game-changers during my PhD:

1. Learn From the Best: Become an Expert Aggregator

Want to master a new topic? Here's a killer technique I picked up (though I can't remember exactly where – if you know the source, please drop a link in the comments!).

Imagine you want to learn about, say, astrophysics. Your first step? Find the top 10-100 experts in the field. Seriously, go deep. Then, become a content sponge:

• Podcast Interviews: Researchers are everywhere on podcasts these days! Listen to their interviews.
• Research Papers: Dive into their latest publications.
• YouTube Lectures: Many experts share their knowledge online.

Collect all this information in one place. I'm a Notion fan, but Evernote, Google Docs, whatever works for you. Create a dedicated "knowledge hub" for your topic.

As you absorb their work, think critically. Ask yourself: "What's the next big question these experts should be tackling?" Research is never finished; there are always gaps. By actively looking for those gaps, you're engaging deeply with the material and thinking like an expert yourself.

2. The Feynman Technique: Master Concepts by Teaching (Even to Yourself!)

This technique is inspired by the legendary physicist and teacher, Richard Feynman. It's all about truly understanding a concept, not just memorizing it.

Here's the breakdown:

• Choose Your Topic: Pick a concept you want to master.
• Brain Dump Everything You Know: Write down everything you already know about the topic. Mind maps, bullet points, whatever works. Use a whiteboard if you can! This shows you what you already grasp and what's fuzzy.
• Teach It (Out Loud if Possible!): Explain the concept as if you're teaching it to someone else. If you're in a quiet space, talk out loud! If not, do it in your head. This is where the magic happens. Teaching forces you to simplify complex ideas and pinpoint exactly where your understanding falters.
• Review and Refine: Go back to your sources. Fill in the knowledge gaps you discovered while teaching. Then, teach it again! Keep refining your explanation until you can explain it clearly and confidently, without hesitation.

This might seem like a long process, and it is! But trust me, it's the deepest way to learn. Plus, sometimes you'll even uncover gaps in the general knowledge of a field. You might ask, "Why is this constant in this formula?" Dive deeper, and you might find it's just a placeholder, not fully justified. Boom! Research question unlocked!

3. Apply Your Learning to Real Life: Case Studies & Practical Scenarios

Theory is great, but knowledge truly solidifies when you apply it. I'm currently researching schizophrenia, and the algorithms I use can feel very abstract, disconnected from the human experience.

To bridge that gap, I read case studies and personal accounts of people living with schizophrenia. This helps me connect the abstract algorithms to real human stories and understand the research questions on a deeper level.

Instead of just reading theory, apply your learning to real-world scenarios.

• Read Case Studies: Whatever your field, find case studies. Neurological disorders, brain injuries, business failures, historical events – they're all learning opportunities.
• Real-World Examples: Look for real-world examples related to your field.
• Write Summaries and Answer Questions: Actively engage with the case study or example. Write a summary, answer specific questions, applying what you've learned in a practical way.

This not only solidifies your knowledge but also makes learning way more engaging. Books that connect theory to real life can spark your interest and fuel your learning journey. For example, I'm currently reading "The Center Cannot Hold," a powerful memoir about living with schizophrenia, and I highly recommend it if you're interested in mental health.

Level Up Your Learning Today!

These are just a few of the methods that helped me during my PhD to remember information better and communicate it more effectively. It's all about shifting from passive consumption to active creation.

Now, I'm curious – what are your favorite learning techniques? Any book recommendations on learning? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Let's learn from each other and unlock our learning superpowers together!