The formal education system teaches us poor learning habits. Instead of promoting deeper understanding, it forces students to memorize. Instead of creativity, it promotes rule-following. The skills of collaboration that are crucial in the outside world are labeled cheating or academic dishonesty. Unfortunately, I don’t feel universities will change much. But the advantage is that […]
Aggressive Learning
If you want to succeed, pick an easy target. If you want to improve, pick an impossibly hard target. Success in a goal and improvement are often opposite paths, so if you aren’t clear on which you’re trying to pursue, you may end up failing at both. I have a habit for getting in over […]
Friday Links 09-03-27
From the Web I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Released – Ramit’s first published book went on sale this week. I received a few advance press-release chapters, and I’m looking forward to reading this book. Unlike other personal finance books which either focus on obtuse speculation tips or silly suggestions for saving money on […]
Ask the Readers: Advice for Learning a Foreign Language
I recently got accepted into an international exchange program through my university. It seems I’ll be living in Montpellier, France, for one year starting in early September. There’s only one problem: I don’t speak French. I’ve taken some basic classes, but I’m far from fluent. I understand many of my readers are multilingual, so I […]
I'm a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, podcast host, computer programmer and an avid reader. Since 2006, I've published weekly essays on this website to help people like you learn and think better. My work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, TEDx, Pocket, Business Insider and more. I don't promise I have all the answers, just a place to start.