
Welcome! In this first video, you'll learn how to get the most out of the course — and why simply watching the lessons won’t be enough to truly improve how you learn.
The techniques you'll discover are powerful, research-backed strategies used by top students, professionals, and thinkers. But they only work if you engage with them.
Throughout the course, you’ll find short activities designed to help you practice and reflect. These are not optional extras — they’re the heart of the learning process.
Take a few minutes to orient yourself — then get ready to build the habits that make learning more effective, efficient, and lasting.
In this first core lesson, we explore why “learning how to learn” is one of the most powerful advantages you can give yourself — whether you're a student, a professional, or a lifelong learner.
You’ll be introduced to the cognitive science that underpins the entire course, and you’ll discover why so many common study habits fall short. We'll walk through the key strategies identified by research — like retrieval practice, spacing, and dual coding — and explain why they’re often ignored or misunderstood.
By the end of this video, you’ll see learning as a skill that can be trained — and you’ll understand the value of applying science-backed methods rather than relying on guesswork.
In a world full of distractions, focus is your superpower.
This lesson explores the science behind attention, cognitive load, and why multitasking undermines learning. You’ll learn practical strategies to improve your concentration, reduce mental clutter, and create an environment that supports deep, deliberate study.
By the end of this session, you’ll know how to protect your focus, manage your mental energy, and set yourself up for more productive, high-quality learning.
To learn effectively, you need to understand how memory works — and how to work with it, not against it.
In this lesson, you’ll explore how information moves from short-term to long-term memory, and why attention, meaning, and organisation are key to retaining what you study. We’ll cover the difference between passive review and active encoding, and introduce strategies that help you store and retrieve information more reliably.
By the end of this module, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how memory functions and what you can do to make your learning stick — for the long term.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to make learning stick by working with — not against — the way your brain naturally processes information.
We’ll explore three powerful strategies:
Elaboration: Deepen understanding by connecting new ideas to what you already know
Chunking: Break down complex information into manageable, memorable units
Dual Coding: Reinforce learning by combining visuals and words
These techniques help you simplify complexity, improve retention, and develop flexible knowledge that you can use in real-world situations.
By the end of this module, you’ll have practical tools to turn abstract ideas into lasting understanding.
Retrieval practice is one of the most powerful — and most underused — learning strategies.
In this lesson, you’ll discover why pulling information out of memory is far more effective than simply reviewing it. We’ll explore how and when to use retrieval, what makes it work, and how it helps you identify gaps in your knowledge.
You’ll also learn practical ways to build retrieval into your daily study routine, using simple, science-backed methods that dramatically improve long-term retention.
This module is a turning point — it shows you how to stop recognizing information and start remembering it.
Spaced practice is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen memory — and yet most people still rely on cramming.
In this lesson, you’ll learn why spacing out your study sessions over time leads to better long-term retention, less stress, and more efficient learning. We’ll break down the science behind the spacing effect, explore how forgetting is actually part of the process, and show you how to plan review sessions that work with your brain, not against it.
By the end of this video, you’ll know how to turn your study schedule into a memory-boosting tool — and stop forgetting what you worked so hard to learn.
Interleaving is a highly effective, but often misunderstood, learning strategy.
In this lesson, you’ll learn why mixing related topics — rather than studying one at a time in blocks — helps you better understand the material, spot patterns, and transfer knowledge more effectively.
We’ll explore the science behind why switching between topics improves your brain’s ability to compare, contrast, and apply what you’re learning in flexible ways. While it may feel harder at first, interleaving leads to deeper learning and better long-term results.
By the end of this module, you’ll know how to apply interleaving to your own study plan — and avoid the trap of passive, blocked learning.
Metacognition means thinking about your thinking — and it's one of the most powerful skills a learner can develop.
In this lesson, you’ll discover how to take control of your learning by becoming more aware of how you study, what works for you, and where you’re wasting time. We’ll explore practical strategies to help you plan, monitor, and adjust your learning approach in real time.
You'll learn how to set better goals, track your progress, and make smarter decisions about how to use your time and energy. By the end of this module, you won’t just be learning — you’ll be learning how to learn better.
Motivation and mindset shape every part of your learning experience — from how you start, to how you respond to failure, to whether you keep going.
In this lesson, you’ll explore what truly drives motivation and why effort, progress, and belief in your ability to grow matter more than talent or quick wins. We’ll break down the science behind intrinsic motivation, growth mindset, and how to stay focused when learning gets tough.
You’ll also learn how to apply simple, proven strategies to stay on track, bounce back from setbacks, and take ownership of your learning journey.
By the end of this module, you’ll be equipped to stay motivated for the long haul — and to see challenges as a vital part of the learning process.
You've explored the most powerful, evidence-based techniques for learning — now it’s time to put them into action.
In this lesson, you’ll be guided step by step through the process of creating your own Personal Learning Plan. You’ll learn how to select the right strategies for your goals, build a realistic study schedule, and track your progress over time.
By the end, you’ll have a tailored plan that helps you stay focused, motivated, and on track — whether you're learning for school, work, or personal growth.
Are you tired of cramming, forgetting what you’ve learned, or feeling overwhelmed by how much there is to study?
This course is designed to transform the way you learn — using evidence-based techniques from cognitive science that are proven to help you study smarter, remember more, and perform better in exams or professional settings.
Whether you're a high school or university student, a professional learning new skills, or a lifelong learner, this course will give you the tools to become a more focused, motivated, and confident learner — for life.
What you’ll learn:
How to focus deeply and avoid distractions that sabotage your learning
Why retrieval practice is more powerful than re-reading or highlighting
How to use spaced repetition to remember more with less effort
The secrets of interleaving, elaboration, chunking, and dual coding
How to monitor your own learning with metacognitive strategies
What drives motivation and growth mindset — and how to build both
How to create a personalized learning plan you’ll actually stick to
How to apply Socratic questioning to think more clearly and critically
Why this course?
I’m Giles, a former Oxford University researcher with a First-Class Honours degree in Physics. My YouTube channel on learning science has over 600,000 subscribers, and my previous courses have helped over 50,000 students.
This course is based on the best available research in educational psychology, but it’s not just theory — every module includes practical activities that help you apply what you’ve learned immediately.
What’s included:
12 concise, practical modules
Downloadable assignments and exercises
Real-world applications of every technique
Guidance on using tools like ChatGPT to support your learning
A final plan to continue improving after the course
If you’re ready to study more effectively, achieve better results, and truly understand what you learn — this course is for you.
Let’s get started.