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\textbf{\Large{- Optimal Learning - \\ Cheat Sheet}} \\
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~~ Reading and note taking techniques for optimal learning. Suitable for 
non-fiction books/articles on any subject/level. 

\section{Overview}
\subsection{Goal/Purpose}
Answer the following to determine goal/purpose:
\begin{compactitem}
\item Why am I reading this ?
\item What do I expect to learn ?
\item What is my success criterion ?
\end{compactitem}

\subsection{Initial Big Picture}
Get a feel of the subject:
\begin{compactitem}
\item \textbf{What do I already know ?} 
\begin{compactitem}
\item Quiz yourself, write anything down that comes to mind, no matter how trivial it may be.
\item Start on a glossary for key concepts.
\item Write down what you want to know.
\item Reread earlier notes (if any).
\end{compactitem}
\item \textbf{Create initial cheat sheet} \\ 
Work your way through the following activities:
\begin{compactenum}
\item Read front/back covers and the flaps inside each cover.
\item Who is the author and what background does he have ?. Browse through 
bibliography and reading lists, has he written anything else or acknowledges 
other domain experts - check these works out.
\item Read entire table of contents and introduction (preface, abstract, forewords...).
\item Flip through the pages quickly, one at a time. Read chapter
titles/headings, as well as their starting/ending paragraphs. Look 
at graphs and figures, study assignments/questions.
\end{compactenum}
Use the knowledge acquired to write a rough cheat sheet outlining main ideas, 
topic structure and key concepts.
\item \textbf{Create road map}. 
\begin{compactitem}
\item Do you lack any skill/knowledge to master the subject ? 
\item Identify/resolve blocking steps, do you miss anything ?
\item Obtain a backup source to consult if the primary misses a area or explain concepts badly.
\item Determine optimal learning method, what parts to skip, skim or read carefully ? 
\end{compactitem}
\end{compactitem}
 
\section{Reading Activities}
Apply these continuously when you read.
\subsection{Dialoging}  
\begin{compactitem}
\item Dedicate a separate piece of paper to questions, nagging thoughts and
ideas of your own. Mark parts for further investigation with a capital Q, 
prioritize and resolve them after importance.
\item Engage yourself in predictive learning by asking: \emph{What is the author
going to say next ?}.
\item Attack subject with: \\
\begin{tabular}{>{\itshape}l>{\itshape}l>{\itshape}l>{\itshape}l>{\itshape}l}
Why.. & Where.. & How.. & What if.. & When/who.. 
\end{tabular}
\item \textbf{Orientation Questions}\\
Stay oriented in the topic by answering the following:
\begin{compactitem}
\item What does this reminds me of (relations, comparison, contradictions...).
\item What is the definition/example of this ?
\item What are the different types of this ? (what properties sets them apart ?) 
\end{compactitem}
\item \textbf{Expert Questions} \\
Determine knowledge you must acquire to rule the subject:
\begin{compactitem}
\item Dig for expert questions, what would an expert know ?
\item What must be asked/answered to master the subject ?
\end{compactitem}
\end{compactitem}

\subsection{Info Notes}
\begin{compactitem}
\item Take notes on repeated, interesting, surprising and confusing ideas.
\item Write from memory, one paragraph at a time using your own words/pictures.
Condense information as much as possible.
\item Skim ahead to make sure you nail key concepts.
\item Think a minute about your material before you make notes. 
\item Write on loose sheets, add date, book chapter and page info.
\end{compactitem}

\section{Review} 
Constantly review and optimize your newly acquired knowledge. Engage yourself in 
the following activities after each reading session, or prior to a new one. 

\subsection{Analysis and Refactoring}
\begin{compactitem}
\item Read generated notes, answer questions, draw figures, write any new 
thoughts/ideas down.
\item Optimize, reorganize, replace and summarize notes.
\item Experiment with layouts/ordering that strengths your understanding, look for: 
\begin{tabular}{>{\itshape}l>{\itshape}l}
Similarity/Difference & Dependency/Orientation \\
Expert knowledge & Goal/purpose knowledge 
\end{tabular}
\item Inspect what you expect. Is the road map on track and are you getting
what you came for (goal, success criterion..). Revise plan as needed. 
\end{compactitem}

\subsection{Hooks} 
Hooks are used to memorize knowledge.
\begin{compactitem}
\item Think of ways to link/relate it to existing knowledge, ask: \emph{how would I reconstruct this if I forget it ?}. 
\item Relate material to your goals, life, work. How is this going to get  to
where I want to be ?.
\item Visualize the information as a picture, pattern or a story.
\item Summarize the information with whatever means works best, including: mnemonics, 
spider diagrams (mind maps), figures or flashcards
\end{compactitem}

\subsection{Cheat Sheet}
Must allow you to reconstruct any important knowledge acquired
without having to resort to other resources.
\begin{compactitem}
\item Squeeze the entire body of knowledge down to one! piece of paper, this enforces
topical selection and orientation. 
\item Remember the big lines and keep your goal in sight.
\item Update it at least once weekly. 
\end{compactitem}

\section{Pointers}
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\begin{compactitem}
\item Always have a main and supplementary textbook.
\item Timebox your study to activate forced efficiency. Decide to work on a topic for 2 hours, having a 3-5 
minutes break every half hour. Stop when the time is up regardless of you completed 
all planed activities or not. 
\item If approaching burn out, go for a 15 minute walk outside or shift to another topic.
\item In subjects with a strong emphasis on problem solving (like mathematics, physics
and computer science) your should spend more time solving different types of problems
than on revising notes. 
\item Take notes while you do assignments and save them together.
\item Don't markup textbooks. If you must (for instance while traveling) then write in
the margin using a erasable pen. Later transfer the notes to a separate
sheet and erase them from the book. 
\item Minimize distractions. Clear your workspace so it only contains the needed 
things and focus single-mindedly on the task at hand.
\item Treat confusion as a bug that must be fixed immediately.
\end{compactitem}
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