There are tons and tons of study methods out there – from note-taking to flashcards, practice papers to reading textbooks. However, not all methods are created equal: some are more effective than others. Today, we’re going to be talking about one of the most effective (at least, in my opinion) study methods out there!
- The Feynman technique
- Step 1 – Learn + study
- Step 2 – Explain
- Step 3 – Identify weaknesses
- Step 4 – Simplify
- Benefits of the Feynman technique
The Feynman technique
There are four simple steps to the Feynman technique!
Step 1 – Learn + study
The first thing you need to do is, of course, learn what you’re actually studying. You’ll have been taught the topic in school or in a lecture, so you have some basic knowledge. To revise what you learnt, make a summary sheet of the topic or brush up on your knowledge with some flashcards.
Step 2 – Explain
This is the most famous part of the Feynman technique. Explain what you just learnt as simply as possible. Ideally, you should try to explain it to a child. If that’s not possible, explain the concept to someone else, or an inanimate object. The goal here is to explain it as simply as possible, cutting out all the clutter and convoluted thoughts. Make sure that you explain the concept without checking your notes, if possible!
Step 3 – Identify weaknesses
After you finish explaining what you learnt, go back to your textbook or exam specification. Use it as a checklist. What do you know, and what were you able to explain? Conversely, what do you still not understand? If you explained it to a person, get them to help you out. Ask them what you explained well, and what you explained not so well.
Step 4 – Simplify
This is the final step. First, fill in any gaps in your knowledge that you identified in step 3. Next, simplify your explanation down to the bones. Make sure that it’s as simple and easy to understand as possible. You might want to write it down in note or flashcard form. Once you can’t simplify it further, you’re done! Now all you have to do is just revise the topic periodically until your exam.
Benefits of the Feynman technique
There are two main reasons why the Feynman technique works. One is that you use active recall when explaining since you aren’t looking at your notes. The other is that you’re forced to simplify and explain your method. By putting the knowledge in your own words and cutting out any clutter, you’re ensuring that you actually understand what you’re learning, and you increase your comprehension of the topic.
