We’ve all been there — rereading the same textbook page five times, making colorful notes, watching lectures… and still forgetting everything the next day. Studying isn’t just about how much time you put in — it’s about how deeply you understand what you're learning.
In this post, I want to share my secret to studying more effectively — a method that transformed how I learn complex topics, especially in dental school. It's simple, practical, and backed by science.
Most students rely on passive techniques like rereading, highlighting, or watching videos at 2x speed. These methods feel productive — but they don’t lead to real understanding or retention.
We often mistake familiarity with comprehension. Just because something looks familiar doesn’t mean we’ve mastered it.
The Solution: The Feynman Technique
Named after the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, this technique is often called the "ultimate method to learn anything." Here's how it works:
🔸 Step 1: Choose a Topic
Pick a concept you want to understand — e.g. "How does local anesthesia work?"
🔸 Step 2: Teach it (Like You’re Explaining to a 10-Year-Old)
Write down the topic and explain it using simple, plain language. No jargon, no textbook terms. Imagine you're explaining it to someone who has zero background knowledge.
🔸 Step 3: Identify Gaps
When you get stuck, that’s a sign you don’t fully understand it. Go back to your source, learn again, and rephrase it simply.
🔸 Step 4: Simplify and Create Analogies
Make it even easier. Use examples, metaphors, or real-life comparisons. For example, you might compare nerves to electric wires and anesthesia to a traffic jam blocking signals.
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| image: sketchplanations |
Why It Works
Forces Active Recall: You're retrieving and reorganizing the information from your brain — not just copying it.
Builds Deeper Understanding: Teaching a concept tests your real understanding.
Identifies Weak Spots Fast: You instantly know which areas need more work.
Why I Recommend It to Dental Students (and All Students)
In dentistry — and in most fields — you need more than rote memorization. You need to apply what you learn, explain it to patients, and make real-time decisions. The Feynman Technique builds that level of mastery.
It helped me during exams, clinical discussions, and even while making patient education videos.
Final Thoughts
Studying smarter isn’t about finding shortcuts — it’s about using the right tools. The Feynman Technique is one of the most powerful learning strategies I’ve come across, and I hope it helps you as much as it helped me.
Let me know in the comments or on YouTube if you try it out!