This document discusses strategies for overcoming challenges to learning new skills. It begins by stating the quote "I am still learning" by Michelangelo at age 87 to emphasize lifelong learning. It then addresses common challenges like procrastination, inability to grasp complex topics, and difficulties with memorization. Specific strategies are provided to help beat procrastination like using the Pomodoro technique and doing difficult tasks first. Chunking information and spaced repetition are suggested for complex topics and memorization. The conclusion emphasizes that learning can be enjoyable with the right tools and that it enhances brain health.

1. Making Learning Joyful!
Rahul Singh
The presentation is prepared as part of project for Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help
you master tough subjects by University of California, San Diego.

2. “ancora imparo”
it means “I am still learning”
Michelangelo said at the age of 87.

3. Why Learn!?
Depending upon the age group, we have
different learning requirements – for passing a
course in academics, reskilling, hobby, and
many other reasons could bring someone to
learning mode...

4. Challenges in Learning (1/3)
• Age, Race, Gender... ?
In spite of our acceptance of the usefulness of
learning some new skill, the usual challenge is
not our age or any other reason but it is our
own willingness first.
“Ok. I am willing. Will it ensure that I end up
learning what I aspire to learn?”

5. Challenges in Learning (2/3)
In spite of our willingness to learn, there are
some internal challenges as being humans
that we have must know about, identify, and
overcome in order to successfully learn what
we set out to learn...and some of these
internal challenges are –
• Procrastination
• Inability to grasp complex issues quickly
• Difficulty in memorizing

6. Challenges in Learning (3/3)
• Illusions of learning
These challenges may compel one to quit their
learning endeavours even when the learning
itself was dear to the learner...

7. Know Thyself and Strategize
Willingness to learn, when supported by recent
scientific discoveries and other best practices
adopted by champions of learning can help us
all significantly.

8. How to beat Procrastination
While learning any complex topic, our mind might make
us feel pains and thus tricking us into choosing
something less painful over learning the topic at hand
– we can raise a flag when we see our procrastination
as work.
Beating Procrastination-
• Using pomodoro technique is one good strategy that
involves short (generally 25 minutes) focused stints of
learning followed by some light enjoyable activity to
reward out mind.
• Eating our frogs first – it involves doing the hard work
early on.

9. Overcoming Inability to grasp complex
issues quickly
• Chunking is a good method to learn complex
issues
• Chunking involves making used of both
focused and diffused modes of learning i.e.
learning in a study session as well as letting
the learning unfold during non-study sessions
like while jogging, working out in gym etc.
• A good sleep would also enforce chunking

10. Addressing issues in memorizing
• Memorizing is a key part of academic learning
• Making good use of short term and long term
memory is a key to remembering things for a long
period of time
• Memorizing in small manageable amounts and
enforcing it through spaced repetitions helps
retain the memorized contents longer
• Making use of visual memory through memory
palace technique is also very useful – i.e. Placing
the content to memorize in visualized containers
in the physical world.

11. Avoiding illusions of learning
• Every time referring the textbook for revision
might lead one to the illusion of believing that
they know the contents well.
• Tests/Quizzes are a good way to test how well
can you recall the memorized contents.
• Writing down the in-memory contents is also
a good way to recall and avoid such illusions
and it also helps in remembering contents
longer.

12. Conclusion
In this ever changing world, there is no shortage of
learning opportunities -
• Learning process itself is enjoyable when one is
equipped with right tools and strategies.
• The charm of the end result i.e. product is often
frustrating and often leads one to quit learning
early
• Learning enhances neuroplasticity and thus
making our brains healthier as they grow new
neural pathways

13. Thank You For Evaluating My Project