Have you ever spent hours studying and not remembered a thing? It can be extremely frustrating. It feels like you’re reading the same thing over and over, putting in all your effort, and having nothing to show for it. In this post, we will go over a 4-step model based on the simple idea that if you can’t explain it, then you don’t understand it. This is based on the Great Explainer, Richard Feynman, who was able to explain complex quantum mechanics in simple ways. After mastering this technique, the Feynman Technique, you will be able to have shorter study sessions, increase retention of information, and gain real understanding of the topics you are focused on.
The Feynman Technique is a framework that helps you identify gaps in your understanding. It does this by forcing you to explain concepts in plain, simple language. It’s ‘explain like I’m 5.’ The philosophy behind this technique is that comprehension isn’t about memorizing, but grabbing the core essence of the topic, the fundamental principles and turning that into actionable knowledge. This is another form of active learning. Compared to passive learning of rereading or highlighting, this method helps you retain information by focusing on the topic and clarifying the points that you don’t fully understand.
Let’s move on to the 4 simple steps that you need to follow.
- First, you need to choose your topic. What are you studying? Write the title of the concept at the top of a sheet of paper.
- Second, write out an explanation of the topic. Remember, use simple words and short sentences. Remove all the jargon and technical terms. This is where you explain like I’m 5.
- Third, review the explanation and compare it to what you are studying. So, if your topic is the current chapter you are studying, you’ll compare your explanation to your text book. Look at where you got stuck in your explanation or where you accidentally used jargon. Use the book to fill in the gaps until you can explain it easily.
- Fourth, refine your explanation. Read the definition outloud to hear if it sounds confusing and needs to be further simplified. It often helps to create an analogy. For instance, electricity flowing through a wire is like water flowing through a hose.
Now that we know the steps, why does it work? The Feynman Technique forces metacognition. It makes you think about your own thinking. It also shows you what you don’t understand, instead of mistaking familiarity with comprehension. Also, by removing jargon and technical terms, you force your brain to build new connections rather than just parroting a memorized phrase. Combined with spaced repetition, this technique strengthens neural pathways by engaging brain activity and converts the short-term memory into long-term knowledge.
Learning doesn’t have to be a grueling, never-ending study session focused on memorization. Stay curious, ask how and why, and explain topics as simply as possible.
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