Why Smart Learners Study Like Kids

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Let’s talk about it.

We all learn in different ways. It just so happens that most smart people who learn use methods that you wouldn’t think they would use.

They keep it simply, but use methodical techniques to control the input of information.

Now I’ve never been one to pick up concepts quickly. I was average in a system where memorisation was key.

Now that I’m older, I find it easier to learn things because I want to learn them, not because I have to.

It took me a lot of refining and a lot of trial and error but now I understand that a mix of methods helps me to pick up stuff.

This mainly applies to my language learning, but the truth is even immersing myself in just writing as opposed to reading and studying others content has helped me to learn a lot.

I believe that you should learn about yourself first and how you work before you attempt to learn something new.

Self realisation aside, I had to break it down and understand why the smartest of us use methods employed by children. You’ll always hear people say it like that—that you should keep it simple and brief.

I get it at work with a lot of trainers who are used to receiving large amounts of content to teach to others in a short time frame.

I took what they taught and refined it for my own journey.

1. Recall

Rereading is passive.

But recalling the info from memory creates stronger brain links. This helps to reinforce what you learn and by expressing it in your own words, you’re likely to make it stick.

After listening or reading a few times, I write what I learned from memory without looking.

• A sentence in French.

• Verbs in Arabic.

• Five verses of a Surah.

Flashcards help with this, especially if you're looking to retain the info where you take the reading out and put that brain to work through pattern recognition.

For me I find that consistent amounts daily help to identify concepts or the meaning of words.

2. I Spaced It Out

I stopped cramming. It’s the thing to do when you’re actually trying to understand what you’re learning.

I’ve had my days where I’m in a rush or I’ll look at my flashcards just to tell myself I reviewed my words. It doesn’t help me to progress when I’ve rushed it.

Mix it up instead of trying to attempt everything daily.

I revisit new info at intervals like this:

Day 1 → Day 3 → Day 5 → Day 10

One day I'll add previous notes to flashcards and write notes from a course.

Another I'll look to recall the notes or read some new material.

I've burnt out before doing the same old boring methods.

Spaced repetition locks it in long-term. You’ll surprise yourself.

3. I Teach It to Myself (or Others)

If you can explain it simply, you own it.

This helps to cement the key concept in my brain instead of word-by-word reciting without full understanding.

I pretend I’m teaching a beginner; it reveals every gap instantly.

AI has also been great for this, as it can help me to see what I’m missing or need to focus more on. Typically it’ll be language learning such as sentences or grammar, but for other areas like writing.

Sharing my journey means I can apply what I learn but also hone my learning methods further.

4. I Connect It to My Life

The brain keeps what it feels. Make it personal and tailor it to something specific to you.

If it’s a concept I don't enjoy, I find it becomes more memorable when linked to certain names, places or activities.

French verbs? I'll link them to how I actually feel or if I'm doing certain activities e.g, Je vais jouer au football plus tard. Now in my head when I’m about to leave for a game, I’m more likely to remember or associate it with what I learned in French.

Surahs? I find that the ones that resonate the most on that day are more memorable. I tend to remember hadiths or posts based on feelings or situations I’m most recently experienced.

Digital product work? Writing chapters about burnout resonates because I've been there.

These connections are powerful because you combine what you’re familiar with with new information to help it stick.

5. Micro Reviews

Before I sleep, I do a 5-min scan of what I learned for the day.

If I’m not reading, I’ll make sure to see what I learned or picked up.

It's not proven that this fully helps with retention, but it's better to come back to it before the end of the day than to leave it for days after.

The brain consolidates while I rest.

You might surprise yourself at what you pick up that you initially missed or couldn't remember.

That’s free, passive learning.

6. 80/20 Input Ratio

80/20 is a key ratio in a lot of learning and development concepts.

Don’t overwhelm your mind.

80% should be reviewing what you know.

Only 20% should be brand-new info.

It can be boring, but info that I struggled with for months is now imbedded because I allocated less time to cramming new information.

When I look at my flashcard app, I’ll be like “Damn, 40th repetition,” meaning I’ve viewed that card that many times. Truth is, it usually helps me to learn other things quicker simply by not rushing into new info but taking time to make sure I’ve got the old stuff down.

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The bottom line

I surprised myself by learning a new surah in 15 minutes.

Some new French and Arabic words just click so I instantly pick them up, even with changes in tenses.

It's a flex to learn things quickly, but it's even better to retain that information so you never forget it.

You want to start doing this to never forget information again:

Your challenge for this week: Reading is easy, but fully understanding that information in your own words is something people struggle with. Check this.

• Do you read or research to learn?

• How do you best learn and are there any changes you can make?

• Based on the 6 points above, what do you do already that works?

• What could you implement to change up your game?

With learning, it's a marathon and not a sprint.

The real winners can understand concepts and recall them smoother than butter.

I've learned that speed means nothing if you forget everything later.

Languages, ayahs and lessons take rhythm.

Find yours and once you tap into the methods that help you pick up information, you’ll learn to fall in love with the process.

If you’re struggling or want some more insight you know where I’m at, or if you want to discuss this further, feel free to reach out on Instagram @liftlangleon.

Till next time, peace.