How do I learn to learn?

[theunderdog]

I want to completely retool on how I learn.

My primary focus is on my "style" of learning, how to dissect dense books quickly, how to assimilate information in my head.

Also important is to create my primary focus and keep my motivation up.

Any recommendations for resources so I can begin? For context, I am a medical student.

[sheffy4]

Instead of trying to change how you already learn, you might want to focus on finding techniques that already work for your style. You might not even be aware of how you learn something best. Maybe try to become aware of it by learning things in specifically different ways and seeing which technique allows you to remember it best.
For example, I learn a new skill best by physically doing it (kinesthetic learning), rather than watching someone else do it, or reading directions on how to do it. Other people can be "visual" learners, "auditory" learners. Some learn best by repetition (like memorizing foreign language flash cards), and others might learn better by directly applying what they learn right away (like using the new words in sentences). There are thousands of different ways to learn. Sorry I don't have any specific references for you, but I'm sure you could find plenty of books on the subject.

[supertom]

hmm read steve's 10 tips for students theres some really good books out there

How to Become a Straight-A Student
what smart students know
study smarter not harder

You can check their reviews on amazom (theres some reviews by medical students there too)

[Kaspian]

I've read that your brain learns information more effectively if you mix moving and learning, and my brother has had great results with mixing reading/studying with physical activity. He'll go to the rock climbing gym, read a paragraph or two, climb one climb, read another paragraph or two, climb again, etc.

[Stephen]

To learn how to learn; I have found it really useful to learn how to learn how to learn!

[Keith]

IME, it really helps if you can find a way to view what you're learning as interesting. If you get into the mindset of "Hey, this topic is pretty nifty" your brain's a lot more disposed to absorb it.

[Swede]

Here's a book with some interesting techniques:

How To Pass Exams, by Dominic O'Brien

[maxdof]

Great topic!
My GTD system created a "To read/review" pile that I don't know what to do about, I realize that by "To review", I actually mean, to learn from it... and I don't really know how, I would like to implement a system, a method that give me the opportunity to study and learn the piles of stuff I want to learn.

Stephen Covey proposes a method of Accelerated Learning by teaching: if you know you have ot teach what you learn, you will learn harder. And if at the end of a course, the studens or trainees teach other what they just learnt, the retention is much higher.