The Feynman Technique is a method of learning that unleashes your potential and forces you to develop a deep understanding.
You can use this model to quickly learn new concepts, shore up knowledge gaps you have (known as targeted learning), recall ideas you don’t want to forget, or to study more efficiently. Taking that concept further, you can use this technique to grapple with tough subject matter, which is one of the great barriers to learning.
Richard Feynman was a Nobel prize-winning physicist. His real superpower, however, was his ability to explain complicated subjects to others in simple terms. He realized that jargon, vague words, and complexity reveal a lack of understanding.
Let’s explore how you can use this amazing learning technique and apply this in your studies.
Feynman understood the difference between understanding something and knowing the name of something, and it’s one of the most important reasons for his success.
He was never content with just knowing the name of something. He wanted to understand it at a deeper level.
There’s a quote that’s often attributed to Albert Einstein which goes:
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
Whether or not Einstein himself actually said this (it’s never been properly sourced, so it’s likely he didn’t), it’s still an insightful observation. It’s also one that gives us a pretty powerful study tip when reversed:
By attempting to explain a concept in simple terms, you’ll quickly see where you have a good understanding of that concept. You’ll also be able to instantly pinpoint your problem areas because they’ll be the areas where you either get stuck or where you end up resorting to using complex language and terminology.
This is the idea behind the Feynman Technique.
Feynman Technique is a simple learning method and a 4-step process for understanding any topic or concept quickly and effectively. Some people call it a method for how to learn anything fast, and it really is one of the best learning techniques out there.
The steps in the Feynman learning technique can be summarized as follows:
That’s the gist of Feynman’s technique, often summarized as “teaching is the best way to learn”.
Learning doesn’t happen from skimming through a book or remembering enough to pass a test. Information is learned when you can explain it and use it in a wide variety of situations. The Feynman Technique is so amazing because as you explain a lesson, you get more and more ideas about the concept you learned. What you have learned doesn’t just become a useless fact; it’s now an idea in your head that from time to time you would use the learning in the real world to solve a problem you’d encounter.
When you really learn something, you give yourself a tool to use for the rest of your life. The more you know, the fewer surprises you will encounter, because most new things will connect to something you already understand.
Ultimately, the point of learning is to understand the world and apply the knowledge that we have to solve real-world, everyday problems. And that’s what the Feynman Technique teaches us to do.
Since the root of this technique involves explaining the concept, you could execute it in a number of ways – including literally grabbing a friend and explaining to them what you’re learning. However, you don’t always have willing friends at hand, so here’s the simpler method that just involves a sheet of paper.
That’s it folks! It’s that simple!
While you’re working through the Feynman Technique for any given concept, it can be useful to think like a child.
Doing this will boost your own understanding for one simple reason; in addition asking things like, “Can I have another Oreo?” and “Can I go watch cartoons now?” a kid is probably going ask…
“Why?” “How?” “What?”
While older people often become accustomed to taking things at face value, kids are naturally curious. They’re quick to point out their confusion.
So now you have to think like a child and try to come up with an explanation for each of these questions. Seriously, though, this is a great mindset to adopt.
The Feynman Technique is considered to be a simple learning method for understanding things quickly and easily.
One of the main benefits of the Feynman learning process is that it denies memorization from playing a large role if you do it right. While memorizing material is a requirement for learning anything, it doesn’t itself imply understanding. Using analogies and simple language to explain your chosen topic to a child, however, goes much further in proving your topic knowledge.
Finally, the easiest way to learn something new is to have an interest and to explore it deeply.
Raza has been writing since 2008, be it fiction, poetry, or articles on science, politics, and history. He believes that words can change the world, and he uses them to inspire and empower people through his writing. When he is not working, he is watching nature documentaries or playing with his cats.
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Comments
Gungun Tagore
April 1, 2022
Amazing techniques I will always learn by follow these steps:’
BYJUS❤️
Achsah
March 30, 2022
It is very usefull for me….. I use these tips in study……THANK YOU BYJUS……for this…..and i will share to everyone……
Keerthies
March 29, 2022
This seems helpful?
Angel p Jison
March 29, 2022
Very usefull Trick ?
Thank you byjus ?
Alen Nitin Bilung
March 28, 2022
I learnt that The Feyman Teachnique is a best way to learn .
Ujjawalpandey
March 27, 2022
It’s very usefull to me I will include it in my study thanks byjus.
Ishita
March 27, 2022
Really helpful! Thanks for such an amazing blog piece!!
Radha singh
March 26, 2022
Very helpful l should indefinite try it out.
Thank you so much Byju’s.
Boom
March 26, 2022
Noice
Bhavya Dey
March 26, 2022
I always had used this technique without even knowing that it’s a Feynman technique. I always like to go deep into the concept.
Swapna
March 25, 2022
Thank you for the excellent information it’s good
Sayyed zunairah
March 25, 2022
Thank to send a tips
Pranjal mishra
March 25, 2022
Thank you for provide me a beautiful tip I tried this tip in my daily life this is really helpful tip I hope you must be provide most of the technique in the future thanks
pranjal mishra
Rishab Jitendra Sharma.
March 25, 2022
Byjus is very good
Swetha
March 25, 2022
Thank you very much BYJUS
Subhadarshini sathua
March 24, 2022
It’s superb I gave it 10 /10
Ailish Rajpal
March 24, 2022
Very interesting ch
Ranjit Kaur
March 24, 2022
It’s great tips, which you shared, it will definitely help my child to learn more impressively…
Thanks u soooooo much….
Laasya
March 23, 2022
Thank you Sir Feyman for answering a curious question that every student have.?
And Thanks Byjus for sharing this knowledge with us!
HARI PRIYA
March 23, 2022
Incredible Idea, thank you BYJUS
Likith S
March 23, 2022
Wow what a interesting technique to study
moorthy
March 23, 2022
i love to study in this method.Very easy
vansh
March 23, 2022
ya!its really helpfull
Samreen
March 23, 2022
It is very nice and useful for me… thanku so much ??
Chirag jha
March 23, 2022
Very nice story sir
Saharsh
March 23, 2022
Iam struggling with same problem I want to attend classes of memory
Rishitha Immanuel
March 22, 2022
This was very helpful thank you so much.
Aayu
March 22, 2022
Please take a quizzes
Herschel
March 22, 2022
This really HELPED
Jyotismita Majumdar
March 22, 2022
I also love this process
Chahat
March 22, 2022
I like this technique and I also try that it is useful or not
Iqra Mehboob shaikh
March 22, 2022
I want to learn fast.
Subhankar
March 22, 2022
Thank You!!
I will be the topper of my school in 9,10,11,12 and get AIR 1 in NEET in 2026.
Feynman technique will help me a lot in my journey of success.
Once again thank you for your valuable words…
Swati
March 22, 2022
Great
Just Great
SOHAM DNYANOBA TIDKE
March 22, 2022
Thanks for the tips. I study with this tips.
Y.S.Prathibha
March 22, 2022
Wow ! It is very helpful and useful information for us to score more marks in exams .
B. Shamita Chandrika
March 21, 2022
It is so nice. I will try to use this technique when I am studying. It is so interesting when I am reading I am thinking that it is helpful in my studies and other activities. THANK YOU! BYJUS FOR SENDING THIS MESSAGE.
Tejas
March 21, 2022
Thanks byjus to help us with that topic
Aharshi Kauri
March 21, 2022
That’s pretty cool! ?
PRANESH KARTHIC
March 21, 2022
makes me curious , let practice ,thanks for your idea ?.
Aarya Deepak Shedge
March 21, 2022
Very helpful techniques for studying faster
Krishna Satpute
March 21, 2022
It is so useful and I really got motivated by reading it.
Thank you.
Aditya
March 21, 2022
I Like BYJUS
Prathamesh Suralkar
March 21, 2022
Imagination is the way to get the concept in your understanding.
Make your soul your friend and try to explain everything to him.
If something will go wrong, he will only make it correct.
The interaction with your soul will make everything get in deep and the point of understanding will be wonderful.
Try to talk with yourself like another person, make a conversation with him and try to get new ideas.
Make every thing, every situation, every question, every query, every topic get into very deep and think about that till you get your answer and if you won’t get answer try to gather the knowledge but don’t let the topic erase without any outcome .
Apply why for everything [ why this is like this , how this is done , why is the structure of this is only like this , etc] ………………………..
Abishek
March 21, 2022
WoW!!!!!! Extraordinary technique to learn…….Hats off Mr.Feynmen
Bhoomika.
March 21, 2022
This is a good message I understood what u all teachers want tell us
Thank you byjus ?❤
Angel Mehta
March 21, 2022
Hello …Good evening! .
Thanku so much for this exquisite and wonderful knowledge. It really helps me alot . And now I get ideas to make better study plan for study and new tips and tricks to score excellent in exams.✌ Thankyou..
Regards
Angel Mehta
Serarose John
March 21, 2022
Very Useful ??. I will include it in my studies . Thank-you byjus .
Saanvi
March 21, 2022
Thanks a lot. This seems helpful.
V.Merlin Rachel
March 21, 2022
It’s very useful to me , Thankyou so much.
Almeera Fatima
March 21, 2022
It is useful and interesting topic
I love that
Thank you sooo much BYJUS,???
Ishaan Tripathi
March 21, 2022
Very helpful I should definitely try it out
tdforganics@gmail.com
March 21, 2022
My child has maths phobia, can you please help us so that he can overcome from his phobia and he makes silly mistakes in mathematics. As a parent I want my child to be confident in every subjects and in every field.
Subhrasmita panda
March 21, 2022
It’s good
Avichal
March 21, 2022
Working
Shreyas Jay Mishra
March 21, 2022
I’ve tried some of the methods mentioned above like I first read a paragraph or a subtopic aloud and then try to explain it to myself because I’m the youngest in the house. Anyway jokes apart, this method of teaching and learning is most effective way of understanding things.
Shivendra Kumar
March 21, 2022
Thank you for the beautiful tips
I will definitely use it in my school life
Lots of love to BYJU’S from
PROUD BYJUITE SHIVENDRA