This reminds me a brilliant article [1] by Barbara Oakley, who has a _superb_ course on Coursera on "Learning How to Learn" [2].

In this article, Barbara talks about how memorization helped her with Mathematics, a subject that she had previously struggled with. In particular, this line stands out to me

> Continually focusing on understanding itself actually gets in the way.

[1] https://nautil.us/how-i-rewired-my-brain-to-become-fluent-in... [2]https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn

P.S: Her book is really good too https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/...

[Update: Apparently she wrote a book based on the course—https://www.amazon.com/Learning-How-Learn-Spending-Studying/...]

I'd suggest you to check a book "A Mind For Numbers" [1]. You don't have to be science/math guy to read it, and it covers procrastination among other things.

What I like about it is that many facts are backed by science research.

[1] https://www.amazon.ca/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/d...

A Mind for Numbers. https://www.amazon.ca/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/d...

This was a companion book for a very popular MOOC called "Learning How to Learn".

This gives you insights and practical advice on learning and it works for any subject, not just math & science.

Any books or other resources you recommend to learn these things? On learning to learn I have enjoyed A Mind for Numbers[1] by Barbra Oakley with Coursera course[2], Make it Stick[3] by Peter C. Brown, and How We Learn[4] by Benedict Carey.

1. https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/...

2. https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn/

3. https://www.amazon.com/Make-Stick-Science-Successful-Learnin...

4. https://www.amazon.com/How-We-Learn-Surprising-Happens-ebook...

Can highly recommend the book the Coursera course is based on [1]: A mind for numbers [2]. Have read it multiple times back to from and front to back.

[1]- https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn

[2] https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/...

Note that this is also available in book form, if you rather read about it:

https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/...

It's difficult for me to put a finger on it, and that's exactly why I stoop to using words that signify subjective feelings like "cliche" or worse yet, "passe".

The long story would be that it doesn't actually teach you how to grok things (like Barb Oakley's "A Mind for Numbers" https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/... and the related Coursera "Learning how to learn").

If I am taught metacognitive skills, I can pick up new ways of thinking, and heck, even create them.

On the other hand, if I rabbits are just pulled out of hats in front of my eyes, with said rabbits being sexually appealing with some buzzwords, then it all comes off like this: "hey fellow kids[I highly recommend https://www.reddit.com/r/FellowKids/top/?sort=top&t=all], check out this cutting edge new algorithm called Eratosthenes' Sieve, presented by Big Data specialist Google; also, did I already say big data? Maybe I should say deep learning too then! Oh yeah, all the buzzwords! Over 9000 of them!", my eyes glaze over...

I know this is going to be great for those one or two random kids in my class who seem to get it "right away" (i.e. have seen it before), while I am probably just going to feel dumb: "Hey mister, how can I too pull out rabbits from hats?", and their only answer for me will be "Well, it's easy! Let me pull out another rabbit from a hat, and you'll totally get it!". A few tries later, they'll just be disappointed with me and then we'll all realize that I am not the next Tony Stark, and I definitely won't be getting a job at Google.

EDIT: thinking about it a bit further (especially by considering why I got a "hey fellow kids!" vibe from it), I now come to realize that I had warning bells ringing in my head that this is basically a way for Google to raise brand awareness amongst youth, which is especially off-putting because of how easy it is to see-through, since no effort is made to hide it:

"Our videos illustrate real-world examples of the application of computational thinking in Google’s products and services..."

knowledge crystalizes when you use it

people don't like homework because its required, but its actually really useful if you're trying crystallize what you're learning so you can use it 10 years later

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/blogs/secretlife/blogposts/the-...

http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Numbers-Science-Flunked-Algebra/d...

http://www.barbaraoakley.com/pdf/10rulesofstudying.pdf

later in life, its hard to get those second opinions

people let their ego's need for 'respect' get in the way of what's best for them in the long run

Currently reading A Mind For Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science

http://www.amazon.com/Mind-For-Numbers-Science-Flunked/dp/03...