Learning How to Learn is not just another course—it’s one of those rare courses that actually changes how you approach learning anything in life.
It explains how your brain learns and helps you apply practical techniques to study faster and more effectively.

Instead of teaching a specific skill, it focuses on something much more powerful: how your brain learns.

Taught by Dr. Terrence Sejnowski & Barbara Oakley, the course breaks down complex neuroscience into simple, practical ideas that anyone can understand and apply. You’ll learn why you sometimes feel stuck while studying, why cramming doesn’t work, and how small changes in your approach can dramatically improve how fast and effectively you learn.

One of the most interesting parts is how the course explains the difference between focused mode and diffuse mode thinking—basically how your brain switches between deep concentration and relaxed thinking, and why both are essential for real learning.

It also introduces concepts like chunking, memory techniques, and dealing with procrastination in a very practical way. These are not just theories—you’ll start noticing the difference as soon as you apply them.

With over 4 million learners enrolled and a 4.8 rating, this course has helped people across different fields—from students to professionals—improve how they learn and retain information.

Learning How to Learn Course Highlights

Level: Beginner
Duration: ~2 weeks (approx. 10 hours per week)
Modules: 4 modules
Assignments: 11 quizzes and exercises
Instructor: Barbara Oakley
Platform: Coursera
Certificate: Shareable certificate upon completion

What You Will Learn

In this course, you will learn how to:

• Understand how your brain processes and stores information
• Use focused and diffuse thinking for better learning
• Apply chunking techniques to master complex topics
• Avoid common learning mistakes and illusions
• Overcome procrastination effectively
• Improve memory and recall using proven techniques
• Learn faster and retain information longer

Skills You Will Gain

• Learning Strategies
• Time Management
• Focus and Concentration
• Memory Techniques
• Self-Discipline
• Productivity
• Lifelong Learning

Course Curriculum

The course is divided into 4 modules, each building on the previous one.

Module 1: What is Learning?
Introduces how the brain works while learning and explains key concepts like focused vs diffuse thinking.

Module 2: Chunking
Learn how to break complex topics into smaller, manageable pieces for faster understanding.

Module 3: Procrastination and Memory
Understand why we procrastinate and how to use memory techniques effectively.

Module 4: Unlocking Your Potential
Covers advanced strategies to improve learning efficiency and long-term growth.

Why Take This Course

Most people spend years studying but never actually learn how to learn. This course fixes that.

It helps you:

• Study smarter instead of harder
• Save time while learning new skills
• Build confidence when tackling difficult subjects

It’s especially powerful because the techniques apply to everything—whether you’re learning coding, marketing, business, or even preparing for exams.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is ideal for:

• Students who struggle with studying effectively
• Professionals learning new skills or switching careers
• Anyone preparing for competitive exams
• Lifelong learners who want to improve their learning speed
• People who feel stuck or overwhelmed while learning

Honestly, this is one of those courses that almost everyone should take at least once.

Certificate

After completing the course, learners receive a shareable certificate from Coursera, which can be added to:

• LinkedIn profile
• Resume
• Portfolio

Explore the Course

If you want to improve how you learn anything—faster, smarter, and with less frustration—this course is a great place to start.