In an age of endless information and constant distraction, learning how to learn is no longer optional; it’s essential. That’s exactly the promise behind the Coursera course Better Learning, offered by the American Psychological Association (APA) and taught by instructor Kyle Smith.
Part of Coursera’s Student Success Specialization, this course provides research-backed strategies to help learners improve their memory, focus, and overall study habits using principles from cognitive psychology.
If you’ve been using outdated study techniques like rereading and highlighting, this course shows you why they don’t work—and what to do instead.
📌 Course Overview: What is “Better Learning”?
The Better Learning course is designed for high school and college students, self-learners, and professionals alike. It demystifies the science of learning through accessible explanations and hands-on activities.
Key Details:
- 🎯 Beginner level (no prerequisites)
- ⏱️ ~2 weeks to complete (10 hours/week recommended)
- 💡 Offered by the American Psychological Association
- 📜 Certificate of completion available
🧠 Why Most Study Methods Fail (and What to Do Instead)
Do you spend hours rereading your notes or highlighting textbooks only to forget the content days later? You’re not alone. These passive strategies have been shown in multiple studies to produce low retention rates.
Instead, the course recommends shifting toactive learning techniques, including:
- Retrieval practice
- Spaced repetition
- Focused learning
- Elaboration strategies
These techniques are rooted in cognitive psychology, making them far more effective than conventional habits.
🧩 Mastering the Four Core Learning Strategies
1. Elaboration
Elaboration helps connect new knowledge to prior experiences. For example, when learning a new concept in biology, linking it to a real-life example improves encoding and memory retention.
✅ Try this: Use “elaborative interrogation” by asking: “Why does this concept make sense?”
2. Focused Learning
Focused attention is essential for long-term learning. Multitasking while studying, like checking your phone or watching TV, weakens memory formation.
✅ Pro tip: Study in short bursts (e.g., Pomodoro method) with all distractions off.
3. Spaced Learning
This approach spreads out learning over time rather than cramming. Spaced learning uses the forgetting curve to your advantage by reintroducing material just before you forget it.
✅ Tool: Try flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet for spaced repetition.
4. Retrieval Practice
Self-testing is one of the most powerful study techniques. By forcing yourself to recall information without looking, you strengthen neural pathways and improve test performance.
✅ Example: Create weekly low-stakes quizzes for yourself instead of rereading notes.
💥 Bonus Insights: From Memory Science to Metacognition
🔄 How Memory Works
The course explains how we encode, store, and retrieve information, as well as why we forget. This foundational knowledge supports better use of learning strategies.
🧠 What Is Metacognition?
Metacognition is your ability to think about your own thinking. It helps you assess whether your current learning strategy is working—or if it needs a revamp.
✅ Actionable tip: Reflect weekly on what’s working in your study plan and adjust accordingly.
⛔ Addressing Procrastination
Procrastination isn’t just laziness—it’s often a psychological coping mechanism. The course identifies causes like fear of failure, lack of structure, and perfectionism, and offers strategies such as:
- Micro-tasking: break large tasks into smaller steps
- Habit stacking: pair a study habit with an existing routine
- Time tracking: build awareness of where your hours go.
🧰 Enhancing Traditional Study Tools
Even popular tools like highlighting and flashcards can be ineffective if misused. This course shows how to optimize them:
| Study Tool | What Most People Do | What You Should Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Highlighting | Highlight everything | Highlight selectively after reading |
| Flashcards | Simple Q&A format | Add context, examples, and images |
| Notes | Copy from slides or books | Rephrase in your own words and summarize |
| Outlining | Overly detailed bullet points | Use big-picture headings and key points |
🧑🎓 What You’ll Learn: Skills Gained
By the end of the course, learners will walk away with more than just theory. You’ll gain practical, transferable skills like:
- ✅ Self-awareness and metacognitive reflection
- ✅ Time and task management
- ✅ Strategic learning and memory enhancement
- ✅ Critical thinking and information filtering
- ✅ The ability to build better habits and reduce procrastination
📚 Course Module Breakdown
| Module | Title | Key Concept |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Why You Need This Course | Debunks ineffective learning myths |
| 2 | Memory & Forgetting | Understands encoding and retrieval |
| 3 | Elaboration | Makes learning meaningful |
| 4 | Focused Learning | Emphasizes deep concentration |
| 5 | Spaced Learning | Uses time to your advantage |
| 6 | Retrieval Practice | Strengthens recall through testing |
| 7 | Better Learner Toolkit | Combines strategies into a plan |
🎓 Certification & Career Value
Graduates receive a Coursera certificate from the APA, which can be added to your:
- LinkedIn profile
- CV or resume
- Performance review documents
This makes it an excellent investment for students, professionals, and educators seeking credible credentials in learning science.
🎧 Listen to the Podcast: Improve study habits with science Coursera’s “Better Learning” Course Reviw
🌐 Why Coursera?
As part of the Coursera Plus platform, learners gain:
- 📱 Full mobile and desktop access
- 🌎 Multi-language subtitles
- 💸 Financial aid (if eligible)
- 🧩 A gateway to full degrees, not just certificates
🧠 Final Takeaway: Study Smarter, Not Longer
The “Better Learning” course combines modern cognitive science with everyday strategies you can start using today. From overcoming procrastination to building memory-friendly study routines, this course is your gateway to academic success and lifelong learning mastery.
Don’t waste another semester with ineffective study techniques. Make learning work for you—with science.
