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All 17 learnings · one per slide
Ultralearni-
ng
Scott H. Young, in bytes
17 key learnings on aggressive, self-directed learning, through nine principles.
17 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
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Ultralearning, in bytes
17 key learnings from Scott Young's method for learning hard skills quickly, from his own MIT challenge and others' projects. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
Ultralearni-
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Learning 1 · Ch. 1
The MIT Challenge
What happened
Young tried to learn MIT's four-year computer science curriculum in about a year, using free online materials and exams.
Takeaway
Self-directed, intense projects can achieve a lot.
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Learning 2 · Ch. 2
What Is Ultralearning?
The idea
A strategy for acquiring skills and knowledge that is both self-directed and intense.
Takeaway
You set the goal and the pace.
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Learning 3 · Ch. 2
Why It Matters
The idea
In a fast-changing economy, the ability to learn hard things quickly is valuable.
Takeaway
Learning is a career advantage.
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Learning 4 · Ch. 1
Other Ultralearners
Example
Young describes people like Benny Lewis, who learns languages by speaking from day one, and Roger Craig, who studied past questions to excel at Jeopardy!
Takeaway
Intense projects work across fields.
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Learning 5 · Principle 1
Metalearning
The idea
Start by researching how a skill is learned: what to learn, how others learned it and what resources exist.
Try this
Spend 10% of your time planning before you start.
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Learning 6 · Principle 2
Focus
The idea
Learning requires sustained, quality attention. Start quickly, and build the ability to concentrate.
Try this
Work in 25-minute focused sessions, then extend.
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Learning 7 · Principle 3
Directness
The idea
Learn by doing the thing you want to be good at, in the context where you'll use it.
Example
Learn a language by speaking it, not just with apps.
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Learning 8 · Principle 4
Drill
The idea
Attack your weakest point with focused practice on the hard part.
Try this
Isolate the step you struggle with and practise only that.
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Learning 9 · Principle 4
Time-Slicing and Cognitive Components
The idea
Break a skill into components, then drill the one that holds back overall performance.
Example
Practising only the left-hand part of a piano piece.
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Learning 10 · Principle 5
Retrieval
The idea
Testing yourself beats rereading for learning.
Try this
Close the book and write what you remember.
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Learning 11 · Principle 5
Free Recall and Flashcards
The idea
Write down everything you remember after a lesson, or test yourself with questions.
Try this
Close your notes and write a summary from memory.
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Learning 12 · Principle 6
Feedback
The idea
Seek feedback that's honest and useful, even when uncomfortable.
Takeaway
Faster feedback means faster learning.
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Learning 13 · Principle 7
Retention
The idea
Use spaced repetition and overlearning to keep what you've learned.
Try this
Review new material after a day, a week and a month.
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Learning 14 · Principle 8
Intuition
The idea
Build deep understanding by working through problems and explaining ideas simply.
Try this
Explain a concept as if to a beginner.
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Learning 15 · Principle 8
The Feynman Technique
The idea
Explain a concept simply, as if teaching someone else; gaps in understanding become obvious.
Try this
Write an explanation of something you're learning for a 12-year-old.
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Learning 16 · Principle 9
Experimentation
The idea
Once you've mastered basics, experiment with methods and styles to find your own.
Takeaway
Mastery means going beyond the textbook.
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Learning 17 · Ch. 12
Your First Project
The idea
Do your research, schedule time, run the project, review results and maintain the skill.
Try this
Plan a one-month learning project.
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All 17 learnings complete
That’s all 17 learnings.
Hard skills can be learned faster than you think. What would you learn with an intense three-month project?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
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Summaries are written in my own words for learning. Read Ultralearning by Scott H. Young (2019) for the full stories. More Books in Bytes