Education & Learning

Science proves there are ways you can learn and retain knowledge faster.

Here are some brain hacks for you to try the next time you need to learn something:

Teach someone else (or just pretend to) - if you imagine that you’ll need to teach someone else the material or task you are trying to grasp, you can speed up your learning and remember more!

Learn in short bursts of time - dedicate 30-50 minutes to learning new material. Studies suggest anything less than 30 is just not enough, but anything more than 50 is too much information for your brain to take in at one time. Once you’re done, take a 5 to 10 minute break before you start another session.

Take handwritten notes - using a pen and paper will help you learn and comprehend better whilst using a gadget like a laptop can lead to mindless distractions like checking social media notifications.

Take a study nap - downtime is important when it comes to retaining what you learn, and getting sleep in between study sessions can boost your recall up to six months later, studies show.

Switch it up - when learning a new motor skill, changing the way you practice it can help you master it faster.

Should you choose to shop from the comfort of your home online, here are some tips and tricks to make sure you shop safely, securely and smartly:

• Shop with trusted online retailers or do thorough research before making purchases from unknown retailer sites.
• Never provide your credit card information if you do not see the ‘padlock’ on the upper left-hand side of your address bar, or if the address begins with “http://” instead of “https://”.

• Keep your information private. If the retailer asks for too much information such as your birth-date and social security numbers, do not complete the transaction.
• After shopping online, it’s a good idea to keep a close eye on all your banking statements, checking them weekly rather than by the month, just in case something slipped to a hacker. Notify your cardholder service if there are any discrepancies immediately.
• Maintain good virus protection on your computer to prevent spyware and other hacks from accessing your information. Many trusted anti-virus services are available online for free so you can take advantage of convenient online shopping.
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi to do your shopping, rather use secure connections.
• Be cautious of unsolicited emails and pop-up internet adverts with too-good-to-be-true offers. Use caution when a deal is drastically better than others and always double-check before clicking on ads.