How to Learn More Effectively: 4 Lessons from Huberman and My Experiences

For a long time, the art of learning was foreign to me. I was taught. I sat in school, knowledge entered my head, I passed tests, and did the bare minimum to get acceptable grades. Without much effort, I managed to be an honor student in elementary school, a good student in middle school, and an average one in high school.

It wasn’t until my first educational failure that I started consciously thinking about the learning process. I did well on my final exams, but it wasn’t enough to get into psychology at the University of Warsaw. So, I decided to try again the next year. Media logistics at the University of Warsaw became my way to bide time while also stepping into the rhythm of university studies and adult life away from home. The field of study was interesting to me, but in practice, the first semester felt like a continuation of high school subjects like physics and math. I managed with my old habits—no studying and relying on my good memory.

It was enough to pass all my exams in the first term, except for one. Math got in my way. Did it motivate me to change and study? No. If I remember correctly, I didn’t even show up for the retake, and in April of that year, I submitted a request to be removed from the student list.

Ironically, this failure prompted real change when I started psychology studies the following academic year. I realized that if I wanted to finish a program with a strong biological component, studying would be necessary, and without dedicating time and effort, my second attempt at university would end just like the first.

The transition from not studying at all to becoming a systematic student was very quick. It turned out that in this case, a drastic shift was possible, although I made many mistakes along the way. That fall and winter of 2017, I wish I had come across the podcast that Andrew Huberman released a few weeks ago on the learning process. Surely, my study efforts would have been more effective thanks to the tips in that episode.

Here are 4 key lessons I took from Huberman’s podcast:

1. Sleep is the foundation of effective learning
   To truly absorb new knowledge, sleep both before and after a learning session is crucial. During sleep, the brain strengthens synaptic connections, aiding memory retention. If your previous night wasn’t great, try using the NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) technique, which can help you relax and recharge before your study session.
2. Testing as an effective learning method
   Regularly testing yourself is one of the best learning techniques. You should test yourself at least three times, with breaks between the tests. Open-ended questions and short-form answers are the most effective because they force you to actively engage with the material rather than passively memorize it.
3. Systematic learning and deep work
   Plan your study time and take it seriously. During your sessions, focus solely on learning—turn off your phone, isolate yourself from distractions, and let others know you’re “offline.” The optimal learning time is 3-4 hours a day, no more than 5 days a week. Consistency in your study schedule makes your brain more efficient at processing information over time.
4. The importance of emotions and challenges
   The most effective learning sessions are those that feel difficult. When something feels challenging, your brain works harder. Pay attention to your internal state—strong emotions and engagement enhance memory. Also, think about why you’re learning and how the knowledge you’re gaining will affect you and others—it adds purpose and motivation to your study. After listening to the podcast, I prepared and printed a short document outlining my reasons for learning and including motivational quotes about education.

Today, I know that true learning is a lifelong process. And while the beginning of my journey was full of failures, it was those very failures that taught me there are no shortcuts, and success comes through perseverance and consistency.

Everyone moves at their own pace, but the key is persistence and understanding why we are learning what we are learning. After all, as Indian philosopher and writer Jiddu Krishnamurti said

“Education has no end. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.”

Yes, that quote is in my document, as mentioned in point 4. And it’s one of my favorites. Why? Although my formal education ended with a master’s exam two years ago, the real learning is only just beginning.

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This post was originally published in Polish on my Substack. You can read it in Polish HERE.