Learn Like a Pro

Outline

Learn Like a Pro (2021) is a practical guide to learning more effectively, whether for school, work, or personal interest. Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe explain proven techniques such as active recall, spaced repetition, and avoiding procrastination, along with tips on focus, note-taking, reading, and preparing for tests. The book makes the science of learning easy to understand and apply.

• Active recall, testing yourself on what you have learned, builds stronger memory than simply rereading material.
• Spaced repetition, reviewing material at intervals over time, helps knowledge stay with you for longer.
• Avoiding procrastination is treated as a learning skill, since study habits decide how much practice you actually get.
• Practical advice on focus, note-taking, reading, and preparing for tests applies to school, work, and personal interests.
• The book explains the science of learning in an easy-to-understand way that readers can apply right away.

Barbara Oakley and Olav Schewe combine research on learning with practical study expertise. Oakley is an American engineering professor at Oakland University and co-creator of Learning How to Learn, one of the most popular online courses in the world. Schewe is a Norwegian education entrepreneur and author who has written widely about effective study methods.