Almost anyone can learn anything — with the right technique

however, many of the well-known scientists and researchers like Charles Darwin, Rabindranath Tagore, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Nobel prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman claim to not have exceptional natural intelligence. But they are known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems.

We all have enough brainpower to master a new discipline — if we use the right tools, approach, or apply what we learn correctly. Almost anyone can learn anything — with the right technique. With better learning techniques we can make the process more engaging which is the key to acquiring knowledge quickly.

1. Read when you can. The practice of reading helps create cognitive engagements, which in turn improves things like thinking ability and concentration. Bill Gates reads up to 40 to 50 books every year, while Mark Zukerberg completes at least one book every 2 weeks. Fixing a dedicated time every day in the initial few days can help to get in-tune with reading for longer.

2. Always ask why. Skills and expertise do not have any boundaries. While exams help us evaluate what we have learned, learning for every student is a self-directed journey of gaining knowledge. Having a fundamentally curious mindset is the first step. This process if established early on in life can help students achieve success in one or several subjects.

3. Take short breaks early and often. Pausing and taking a break to relax and the reboot is important to remain productive and successful. This is especially true for students who spend hours huddled in front of a computer. While many believe cram sessions and all-night study will ultimately help them score better in exams, the fact is that not taking regular breaks can lead to a significant decrease in academic performance.

4. Find a study-buddy. The real test of learning is based on our ability to transfer knowledge, either by teaching it to someone or simply writing it down in an exam paper. When we teach a concept we learned, it helps us to brush up on existing knowledge and quickly identify holes in our learning. This is one of the most efficient ways to build a strong memory, a theory advocated by the famous physicist Ricard Feynman. Known as an excellent explainer for his ability to explain the topic of quantum physics to virtually anyone.

5. Allocate 50% of the time to learning and 50% to recalling what you learned. The best way to learn or retain information is to acquire half of the time and try to recall them in the other half of the time. e.g. if someone is reading a book, instead of completing that book, they should try to understand by reading at least 50 percent of it first and then and try to recall the information by practicing questions or sharing it with friends.