New Learning Skills and Techniques (That Actually Work!)
We often talk about working harder… but very rarely about working smarter.
After 40 years in teaching (and still learning new things myself — sailing included!), one thing is clear:
The students who succeed aren’t always the cleverest
They are the ones who use the best learning techniques
So here are some modern (and proven) learning strategies that really do make a difference.
1. Retrieval Practice – Stop Rereading!
Reading notes again feels productive… but it isn’t.
The real learning happens when you:
- Close the book
- Write down everything you remember
- Check what you missed
It feels harder — because it is harder — and that’s exactly why it works.
Learning is not about recognition… it’s about recall.
2. Spaced Learning – Don’t Cram
Cramming might get you through a test… but not much further.
Instead:
- Study a topic
- Leave it
- Come back days later
- Then again a week later
This strengthens memory over time.
Think of it like sailing — one quick trip doesn’t make you a sailor… regular outings do.
3. Interleaving – Mix It Up
Students love doing:
- 10 identical questions in a row
But exams don’t work like that.
Try this instead:
- Mix topics (algebra + geometry + graphs)
- Switch between problem types
This trains your brain to recognise what method to use, not just how to use it.
4. Teaching Others – The Ultimate Test
If you can explain it simply… you understand it.
Try:
- Teaching a friend
- Explaining to a parent
- Even talking to yourself (we all do it…)
5. The “Traffic Light” System 🚦
A simple but powerful idea:
- 🔴 Red = Don’t understand
- 🟠 Amber = Getting there
- 🟢 Green = Confident
Go through the syllabus and label everything.
👉 Start with red — not green. That’s where the marks are hiding.
6. Dual Coding – Words + Pictures
Combine:
- Notes
- Diagrams
- Mind maps
This helps the brain process information in multiple ways.
Especially powerful in science (circuits, forces, cells…) and even maths.
7. Practice Under Pressure
Don’t just learn — practise like the real thing.
- Timed questions
- Past papers
- No notes
Because knowing something calmly at your desk… is very different to recalling it in an exam hall.
Final Thought
Learning isn’t about talent.
It’s about:
- Technique
- Consistency
- And a willingness to get things wrong while improving
And yes… it’s a bit like sailing.
You don’t learn by reading about it —
you learn by getting in the boat, wobbling a bit… and trying again.
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