Guides
Evidence-based strategies from Masterful Learning. Master the science of effective learning.
The Core Four
The foundational strategies that form the backbone of effective learning.
Elaborative Encoding: Learn Faster with Better Connections
Master elaborative encoding—the study method that transforms raw input into retrievable knowledge through targeted questions, meaningful links, and prior knowledge activation.
Retrieval Practice: Make Knowledge Stick (Faster)
Retrieval practice makes principles fast and durable. Learn how to do it—tables, structures, flashcards, spacing, and session flow.
Self-Explanation: Learning from Worked Solutions
Transform worked examples into reliable problem-solving skill through principle-driven explanation and retrievable solution rules.
Problem Solving: The Learning Strategy That Turns Knowledge into Skill
Use problem solving as a deliberate learning strategy—not just a homework chore—to convert principles into fluent skills in physics and math.
More Strategies
Expand your learning toolkit with these additional evidence-based techniques.
Spacing vs Cramming: Why Distributed Practice Wins (and Exactly How to Do It)
Stop cramming. Spaced learning builds durable memory, better transfer, and calmer exams. Learn why spacing works—and the exact schedules to use.
How to Interleave Your Studying for Better Recall, Transfer, and Test Scores
Interleaving beats blocking. Learn what interleaving is, why it works, and exactly how to mix topics and problem types to maximize long-term learning.
Pretesting: Try Before You Know (and Learn Faster)
Pretesting—trying before you know—sharpens attention and upgrades encoding. Use it to amplify elaborative encoding, self-explanation, and problem solving.
The Testing Effect: How to Supercharge Your Learning by Testing Yourself
Testing yourself isn't just measuring learning—it creates it. Use posttesting + spacing to lock in knowledge and move it to long-term memory.
The Feynman Technique: A Gateway to Deep Understanding
Is the Feynman Technique effective? Yes: it forces self-explanation + retrieval, exposing gaps. Use it to simplify tough physics and math concepts for exams.
Cornell Notes: Better Than Transcription, But Not Enough
Are Cornell Notes effective? Better than standard notes, but still passive unless you use the cue column for retrieval and the summary for elaboration.
Masterful Learning
The study system for physics, math, & programming that works: encoding, retrieval, self-explanation, principled problem solving, and more.