Every student who wants to excel in school must know about the Feynman Study Technique. Students who use the Feynman Study Technique not only do well in exams, but they also understand deeply the concepts taught to them in school.

The Feyman Study Technique title illustration

Richard Feynman, after whom this study method was named, was an American theoretical physicist. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965 for his work on quantum electrodynamics, he was renowned for his clear and charming lectures and his fun and inquisitive personality. His contributions to physics include significant advancements in particle physics, nanotechnology, and quantum computing.

Richard Feynman also worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II and later served on the Rogers Commission, which probed the Challenger catastrophe. He is universally recognized as one of the most talented and important physicists of the twentieth century.

What is the Feynman Study Technique?

The Feynman Technique is a rapid way to learn or relearn an idea by explaining it in simple words. It enables you to discover your trouble areas and increase your comprehension through targeted learning.

The Feynman Study Technique involves four simple steps.

  1. Choose a concept and write it down.
  2. Pretend you are teaching the concept to a child.
  3. Review your explanation.
  4. Write the notes, revisit, and review.

I understand clearly the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.

—Richard Feynman

How does the Feynman Study Technique work?

1. Choose a concept and write it down.

Deciding what to learn is an important step in the Feynman Study Technique. You need to know precisely what it is that you want to learn. Write it down systematically and understand its complexity. Skim it keenly to see what you probably already know.

When you have become fully aware of what you want to study and written it down clearly, start to study it diligently. You can use other study methods in this step. Check out our post on The Pomodoro Technique 

After studying the concept you have chosen, you can move on to the second step of your study:

2. Pretend you are teaching the concept to a child.

This step aims to test how well you understand the concept. If you understand the concept well, you will be able to:

  • Express it in your own words
  • Avoid jargons
  • Use relevant analogies, and
  • Connect simple patterns

When you explain a complicated concept to a child, it forces you to simplify it as much as possible, and simplifying a concept requires that you understand it deeply. If you don’t understand a concept to the core, it is hard for you to explain it in simple terms.

After explaining it simply in your own words, you can move on to the third step:

Albert Einstient quote on true understanding, complimenting feynman study technique

3. Review your explanation.

To enhance the effectiveness of this step, it is crucial to identify loopholes in your explanation and focus on these specific areas to gain a thorough understanding. As you review your explanation, assess whether you encountered challenges or struggled to articulate certain concepts in your own words. Subsequently, revisit the source of your learning, whether it be a book or a PDF, and reacquaint yourself with the material. Reinforce your comprehension by relearning those aspects until you can articulate them with clarity.

4. Write the notes, revisit, and review.

This fourth and final step aims to develop a strong retention of the information you have studied.

Create a more thorough set of notes that incorporates the improvements and clarity obtained throughout the teaching simulation.

Reread these notes regularly to help you remember and understand them. Regular review helps to strengthen material in your memory over time.

I have a post on how to improve memory.

Richard Feynman quote about learning.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Feynman Study Technique

Advantages

  1. Deep understanding: Teaching a concept requires you to break it down into simple terms, which helps you develop a better grasp of the subject. This technique can reveal gaps in your knowledge, which you can work on improving.
  2. Identifying Gaps: Explaining a topic to someone else can reveal areas where you struggle or lack clarity. This enables you to select and focus on topics that require additional research.
  3. Memory Reinforcement: Teaching a concept reinforces the information in your memory. The process of describing and discussing the subject improves retention and memory.
  4. Active Learning: The Feynman Technique encourages active learning, which involves your brain in the learning process. Needless to say, active learning is frequently more successful than passive approaches such as reading or listening.
  5. Simple and Clear: Breaking down complex concepts into basic terms can help make the information more digestible and understandable. It helps you convey your ideas clearly and directly.

Disadvantages

  1. Time-consuming: Teaching a concept to someone else takes time, and some people may find the Feynman Technique more time-consuming than other study methods.
  2. The original Feynman technique requires explaining the concept to someone else. If you don’t have a study partner or someone who will listen, you may miss out on the interactive side of this strategy.
  3. While simplifying things can be beneficial, there is a risk of oversimplifying to the point of missing key variations or complexities. Certain issues might require a more in-depth understanding.
  4. The Feynman Technique may be less appropriate for some sorts of content, such as strictly procedural or hands-on skills that require experience over explanation.
  5. The success of the Feynman Technique is dependent on personal preferences and learning styles. Some people may find it more useful than others.

In summary, the Feynman Study Technique is a study method that involves selecting the concept, studying it closely, explaining it to a child or yourself in simple terms, reviewing the explanation, and revisiting the notes. If practiced well, you will see your learning improve significantly.

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