Back to Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects
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Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects

This course gives you easy access to the invaluable learning techniques used by experts in art, music, literature, math, science, sports, and many other disciplines. We’ll learn about how the brain uses two very different learning modes and how it encapsulates (“chunks”) information. We’ll also cover illusions of learning, memory techniques, dealing with procrastination, and best practices shown by research to be most effective in helping you master tough subjects. Using these approaches, no matter what your skill levels in topics you would like to master, you can change your thinking and change your life. If you’re already an expert, this peep under the mental hood will give you ideas for turbocharging successful learning, including counter-intuitive test-taking tips and insights that will help you make the best use of your time on homework and problem sets. If you’re struggling, you’ll see a structured treasure trove of practical techniques that walk you through what you need to do to get on track. If you’ve ever wanted to become better at anything, this course will help serve as your guide. This course can be taken independent of, concurrent with, or prior to, its companion course, Mindshift. (Learning How to Learn is more learning-focused, and Mindshift is more career-focused.) A related course by the same instructors is Uncommon Sense Teaching. To join the fully translated Portuguese version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/aprender To join the fully translated Spanish version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/aprendiendo-a-aprender To join the fully translated Chinese version of the course, visit: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ruhe-xuexi To join the fully translated French version of the course, visit : http://www.coursera.org/learn/apprendre-comment-apprendre

Status: Lifelong Learning
Status: Creativity
BeginnerCourse16 hours

Featured reviews

AK

4.0Reviewed Aug 15, 2021

S​ome cool new techniques and understanding where they fit in the bigger picture.I​ wish I was made aware of this growing up.T​hanks Barbara Oakley, Terry Sejnowski, and the Learning How to Learn Team

CP

5.0Reviewed Aug 22, 2019

such a perfect course! they used the learning methods which they mentioned during the lectures to teach you the course. what a twist. easy to keep track and very informative. i strongly recommend it.

BH

5.0Reviewed Nov 13, 2015

I found this course to be incredibly helpful. I am 33 and wish that I would have been taught a more efficient way of learning many years ago. There are definitely some great takeaways from this class.

AM

5.0Reviewed Oct 4, 2016

This is an amazing course. I would recommend that you take this course before doing any others in Coursera, it will give you a great foundation to take into any other subjects that you want to learn.

MT

5.0Reviewed Apr 12, 2026

This has helped me to formulate lessons for my students so that they can remember better, by using techniques such as metaphors and analogies, chunking using mnemonics, spaced repetition, and quizzes.

CD

5.0Reviewed Aug 1, 2020

This course accumulates a clear and valuable set of thoughts that structure knowledge about learning principles and tactics. Also, it was interesting to know some new things about how the brain works.

EJ

5.0Reviewed Aug 25, 2023

This is course is so helpful it will debunk all the false beliefs and the wrong thing that you're doing in your life. It will also help you to understand your brain, that will make you a good learner.

BA

5.0Reviewed Nov 5, 2016

Amazing course, I learned a lot of new techniques for self motivation, and effecient learning. Now, I feel more confident to take further steps in improving and developing myself. Thank you so much :)

GR

5.0Reviewed Sep 9, 2016

This is a course which I enjoyed. It gave a good insight of the learning methodologies which we have often heard of but not given due importance. Also, the brain facts is cool :) My 5/5 to this course

GG

4.0Reviewed Apr 2, 2017

what most important I learned from this course is; actually two things...1 changing your thoughts will change your life2 you have not learned something unless you can teach it to others.many thanks...

B

4.0Reviewed Jul 9, 2021

Good course, learnt some great tactics about learning. Unfortunately some of the stuff they mention are known by everyone and they tend to repeat that a lot which gets boring/time consuming some times

EB

5.0Reviewed May 19, 2016

I found this course incredibly useful and practical. It has not only helped me better understand the process of learning but it has also given me valuable tools in how to optimize my learning process.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 10,000

Patrick McGee
1.0
Reviewed Aug 20, 2017
Szymon Krzemiński
4.0
Reviewed Mar 22, 2019
Keenan Leonard-Solis
5.0
Reviewed Mar 11, 2019
Antonello Chessa
1.0
Reviewed Oct 19, 2018
Oshan
5.0
Reviewed Apr 29, 2016
Vikash Mishra
5.0
Reviewed Jun 29, 2017
Kunal Ghosh
5.0
Reviewed Feb 4, 2016
Adriana M S S
5.0
Reviewed Oct 3, 2015
Thomas Stephen
1.0
Reviewed Sep 23, 2019
Ross Smith
5.0
Reviewed Sep 7, 2015
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Reviewed Mar 7, 2019
Vit Ver
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Reviewed Sep 30, 2018
Zélia Maria Lemos Bezerra Leite
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Reviewed Nov 23, 2015
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Esteban Brenes
5.0
Reviewed May 19, 2016
Greeshma M R
5.0
Reviewed Sep 10, 2016
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5.0
Reviewed Aug 14, 2017
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1.0
Reviewed Sep 23, 2019
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5.0
Reviewed Nov 6, 2016