Ultralearning by Scott Young

Published on: Mon Jan 01 2024

Scott Young’s book Ultralearning shares proven strategies that anyone can use to learn better and faster.

1. Metalearning: Map Your Learning First

Before you jump in, take time to plan your learning journey.

Know what you want to learn and why.
Be clear about your goal. Do you want to learn to code, play the guitar, or speak Spanish? Ask yourself why this skill matters to you. Knowing your “why” will keep you motivated.
See how others did it.
Look for people who have already learned this skill. Read their blogs, watch videos, or listen to podcasts. Find out what books or courses helped them the most.
Make a simple roadmap.
Break your skill into smaller parts. List the main topics and steps you need to reach your goal. This roadmap will guide you and help you track your progress.

Once you have a plan, it’s time to focus.

Remove distractions.
Turn off your phone, close extra tabs, and let others know you’re busy. A quiet, tidy space helps you concentrate.
Use short, focused sessions.
Study in blocks of 25 or 50 minutes, using a timer. Short sessions help you concentrate and give your brain a break.
Fight boredom and tiredness.
If you get tired, switch tasks or take a short walk. Set small goals and reward yourself after each session. Remember, focus is a skill you can build with practice!

Now, make your learning real by jumping in and doing the skill.

Work on real projects.
Want to learn coding? Build a simple website or app. Don’t just read—create something!
Practice in real-life situations.
If you’re learning a language, talk to native speakers or role-play real conversations, like ordering food.
Be active, not passive.
Stop just watching or reading about the skill. Spend more time doing it. For example, instead of watching basketball videos, grab a ball and play.
Challenge yourself.
Solve real problems or complete tasks using your new skill. Learning by doing is faster, more fun, and easier to remember.

To improve quickly, focus on your toughest areas.

Find your weak spots.
Notice which parts slow you down. If playing fast piano notes is hard, that’s your weak spot.
Create focused drills.
Practice just that part, like doing spelling drills for hard words. Small, targeted practice makes you better, faster.
Check your progress.
Test yourself often. If you find a new weak spot, adjust your drills to work on it. Always aim to strengthen your weakest links.

Testing yourself helps you remember what you’ve learned.

Quiz yourself, don’t just reread.
Try to recall facts or ideas from memory instead of reading notes over and over. This makes your memory stronger.
Use spaced repetition.
Review the material over several days or weeks, not all at once. Try to remember without looking at your notes.
Make quizzes and flashcards.
Create your own quizzes or flashcards. Or, explain what you’ve learned to someone else. Teaching is a great way to check your understanding.

Feedback helps you get better, faster.

Ask for feedback often.
Don’t wait until your work is perfect. Show it to a friend, teacher, or expert and ask for advice.
Look for helpful feedback.
Pay attention to feedback that is clear and helps you improve. Ignore vague or mean comments.
Learn from mistakes.
See mistakes as chances to grow. Use feedback to fix your weak spots. Remember, every error is a step toward mastery!

Keep your skills sharp by practicing and reviewing regularly.

Practice often.
Spend just 10 minutes a day reviewing or practicing. This keeps your skills from fading away.
Use your skills in daily life.
Find ways to use what you’ve learned. If you’re learning a language, label things at home or write your shopping list in that language.
Update your learning plan.
As you learn more, change your plan to fit your new goals. If something isn’t working, try a new method. Stay flexible and keep improving.