Six Principles of Effective Learning – Make It Stick

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning (by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel) relies on cognitive psychology to argue that **learning that feels hard is more effective and durable**, while easy learning techniques (like rereading and highlighting) create a false illusion of mastery.

Here are the core principles:

1. Retrieval Practice (Testing Yourself)

Principle: Recalling information from memory—rather than re-reading or re-studying—strengthens memory traces and makes neural connections durable.
Application: Use flashcards, answer practice questions, or practice “freewriting” (writing down everything you remember about a topic from a blank page) after a study session.

2. Spaced Retrieval (Spacing It Out)

Principle: Leaving time between study sessions allows a small amount of forgetting to happen, making retrieval require effort. That effort is what solidifies memory.

Application: Instead of cramming for 5 hours before an exam, study for 1 hour every few days over two weeks.

3. Interleaving (Mixing Topics Up)

Principle: Practicing one skill continuously (or massed practice) feels effective, but mixing distinct but related topics or problem types forces the brain to continually discern which strategy is best.
Application: Rather than solving 20 math problems of the exact same type, mix together different problem types in a single study session.

4. Elaboration and Generation

Principle: Elaboration means connecting new concepts to existing knowledge or explaining them in your own words. Generation means attempting to solve a problem *before* being shown the solution.
Application: Ask yourself how a concept relates to a real-world experience, or try to solve a complex problem on your own before checking the answer key.

5. Desirable Difficulties

Principle: Short-term learning obstacles that slow down initial progress ultimately yield better long-term retention and flexibility.
Application: Embrace cognitive struggle. When learning feels fast and effortless, it is usually superficial and quickly forgotten.

6. Calibrating Judgment (Avoiding Illusions of Knowing)

Principle: Humans are poor judges of what they know. Fluency in reading a textbook often tricks you into thinking you have mastered the material.
Application: Use objective measures—like quizzes, peer teaching, and self-assessments—to find your blind spots instead of relying on intuition.