Slow down. The more you understand, the less you have to memorize.

Just reading isn't enough. When the Master asks you a question, don't click on the answer right away. Imagine that someone is really asking you. The deeper your brain digs, the sooner you'll understand and remember the material.

Say it out loud.

Speech activates other areas of the brain. If you're trying to understand something or remember it better, say it out loud. Even better, try explaining it to someone else. You'll absorb the material faster and might even discover something new.

Do the exercises and take notes.

We've included exercises in the course, but we're not going to do them for you. And don't copy the example exercises. Open a new document and write everything yourself from scratch. Physical action during learning makes it more effective.

Listen to your brain.

Notice when your brain starts to get tired. If you start taking in the material superficially or forget what you just read, it's time for a break.

Feel something

Your brain needs to know that the course material really matters. Care about the characters in our stories. Come up with your own captions for the photos. Wincing at a bad joke is still better than feeling nothing at all.

Don't read other material after the course right before bed.

Part of learning (especially moving information into long-term memory) happens after you stop studying. Your brain doesn't absorb information right away. If new information arrives while it's still processing, some of what you learned earlier may be lost. This applies to books, your social media feed, the news, and so on.

Drink water, and plenty of it.

The brain works best in a well-hydrated environment. Dehydration (which can set in before you even feel thirsty) reduces cognitive function.