The Secret to Effective Learning: How to Retain What Matters Most

“I feel like I'm never going to get this certification”

Tracy confessed, her voice heavy with discouragement.

"I've been studying for months, but it's an overwhelming amount of information. On top of my regular job responsibilities, it feels impossible to learn enough to pass the exam. I'm starting to feel like it's affecting my performance at work, and I'm constantly stressed about it."

Her words resonated with me. We've all been there, haven't we? Feeling like you’re drowning in a sea of information, struggling to upskill while juggling the demands of work and life.

Because of this, things like certifications always seem to get pushed further and further down the to-do list.

I wanted to help Tracy, so I asked how she was studying. She shared:

"I've been reading through a study guide book and going through an exam course, but I still don't feel confident enough to take the test.”

I knew exactly what she was going through. I used to study the same way, trying to absorb every single detail about a topic, hoping to be prepared for anything.

But then I discovered a powerful secret: We don't need to learn everything.

The Learning Pyramid

Edgar Dale, a renowned American educator, popularized The Learning Pyramid (source), which states that we retain only:

• 10% of what we read

• 20% of what we hear, and

• 30% of what we see

If we're drowning ourselves in information, much of which may not even be useful, we might only remember 20% of it on average.

And even then, can we be sure that the 20% we've retained is actually what we need to know?

After discovering this, I shifted my approach to learning.

Instead of trying to conquer an entire mountain of information, I learned to start focusing on extracting only the most valuable information.

This strategy transformed how I prepared for everything, from certifications to interviews, and it gave me the confidence of knowing that I had truly retained the most important information.

If you’re feeling stuck like Tracy, here’s some powerful techniques you can use to optimize your learning journey:

1. Focus Your Efforts on What You Need to Learn

You're likely the kind of person who likes to be prepared and informed, which is fantastic! But the most effective learning isn't about knowing a little bit about everything. It's about striking a balance between breadth and depth. It's about knowing enough of the right things.

Start by identifying your specific learning objectives. What exactly do you need to know?

Things like certification outlines, job descriptions, and role profiles, are learning roadmaps. Begin by learning the specific things that are called out in these sources.

Let's go back to Tracy to make this practical.

She was attempting to read her study guide from cover to cover. A more effective strategy would be to start with a practice exam to identify her weak areas. Then, using the certification outline as a guide, she should focus on the relevant sections of the study guide, drilling down on the topics she struggled with most.

2. Use Foundational Knowledge to Strengthen, Not Start, Your Learning

Who else has been here:

You're eager to learn a new skill, so you dive headfirst into the most basic training course or video you can find.

You diligently take notes, complete all the exercises, and feel a sense of accomplishment. But when it comes to actually applying your knowledge, you realize something's missing - you don't feel truly prepared.

Our logical minds tell us to start with the fundamentals and build from there. But when it comes to professional upskilling, this approach can backfire.

Why?

Because it can lead to overloading you with information that may not be directly relevant to your immediate needs.

Instead of starting with the basics, save the foundational information until after you’ve already gone through the most critical concepts from your learning roadmap.

Once you've learned those concepts, you can reinforce your knowledge with foundational learning.

This approach offers several powerful advantages:

• Retention: By starting with the most essential information, you ensure that you retain the most valuable 20%.  

• Connection: You create a strong framework for understanding by connecting new knowledge with your existing knowledge.  

• Focus: You avoid getting sidetracked by unnecessary details and stay laser-focused on what matters most.

3. Master the Art of Elaboration

We often mistake familiarity for fluency. Just because something feels familiar doesn’t mean we truly understand it or will remember it long-term.

That’s where the elaboration learning technique comes in.

Here’s how it works:

After learning something new, explain it in your own words or even sketch it out. This forces you to actively process the information, helping you connect it to what you already know and reinforcing your understanding.

Next, take it a step further by explaining it to someone else, preferably someone unfamiliar with the topic. If you struggle to explain certain parts, that’s a sign of gaps in your understanding.

This method not only strengthens your knowledge but also makes it easier to recall later.

Research from the Wharton School of Business confirms that self-explanation is far more effective than re-reading, summarizing, or underlining information (source).

So make it a habit to pause and articulate what you’ve learned in your own words—it’s one of the fastest ways to turn knowledge into mastery.

Putting It All Together: A Strategic Learning Blueprint

When Tracy adopted this approach, the results were remarkable. She felt more confident, more prepared, and less stressed.

Ready to create your own effective learning plan? Here's your blueprint:

• Review the study roadmap: Identify your specific learning objectives. Make sure you know exactly what you need to learn.  

• Benchmark your knowledge: Take a practice exam, answer sample interview questions, or tackle technical questions related to your study roadmap to assess your current level.  

• Focus on what matters: Study only what you need to know, and go deeper on areas of weakness.  

• Build a strong foundation: Use foundational information to fill the gaps and tie everything together.  

• Explain it to yourself: Put your knowledge to the test by explaining concepts in your own words.  

• Explain it to others: Share your understanding with someone else, or even leverage AI tools for feedback.  

• Reassess your knowledge: Identify areas where you've mastered the material and areas where you need to focus your efforts.

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