Notes：a mind for numbers puts into practice

【focused mode ---->diffuse mode】
1.focused mode
science math
learn small doses every day
difficult problem require more period unconsciously
(leave the "mortar" enough time to dry! enough time to work in the background.)
2.diffuse mode
sleep is the ultimate one

【chunk】

0.what is chunk?
chunk are pieces of information, neuroscientifically speaking, that bound together through use and often through meaning.

1.three basic aspects:
focused attention
understanding of the basic idea
practice to help you gain big picture context
（conceptual maps: do it when you master the pieces.）

2.STEPS TO BUILDING A POWERFUL CHUNK

1） Work a key problem all the way through on paper. (You should have the solution to this problem available, either because you’ve already worked it or because it’s a solved problem from your book. But don’t look at the solution unless you absolutely have to!) As you work through this problem, there should be no cheating, skipping steps, or saying, “Yeah, I’ve got it” before you’ve fully worked it out. Make sure each step makes sense.
2）Do another repetition of the problem, paying attention to the key processes. If it seems a little odd to work a problem again, keep in mind that you would never learn to play a song on the guitar by playing it only once, or work out by lifting a weight a single time.
3）Take a break. You can study other aspects of the subject if you need to, but then go do something different. Work at your part-time job, study a different subject,2 or go play basketball. You need to give your diffuse mode time to internalize the problem.
4）Sleep. Before you go to sleep, work the problem again.3 If you get stuck, listen to the problem. Let your subconscious tell you what to do next.
5）Do another repetition. As soon as you can the next day, work the problem again. You should see that you are able to solve the problem more quickly now. Your understanding should be deeper. You may even wonder why you ever had any trouble with it. At this point, you can start lightening up on computing each step. Keep your focus on the parts of the problem that are the most difficult for you. This continued focus on the hard stuff is called “deliberate practice.” Although it can sometimes be tiring, it is one of the most important aspects of productive studying. An alternative or supplement at this point is to see whether you can do a similar problem with ease.)
6） Add a new problem. Pick another key problem and begin working on it in the same way that you did the first problem. The solution to this problem will become the second chunk in your chunked library. Repeat steps one through five on this new problem. And after you become comfortable with that problem, move on to another. You will be surprised how even just a few solid chunks in your library can greatly enhance your mastery of the material and your ability to solve new problems efficiently.
7） Do “active” repetitions. Mentally review key problem steps in your mind while doing something active, such as walking to the library or exercising. You can also use spare minutes to review as you are waiting for a bus, sitting in the passenger seat of a car, or twiddling your thumbs until a professor arrives in the classroom. This type of active rehearsal helps strengthen your ability to recall key ideas when you are solving homework problems or taking a test.

3. Simple recall:
is the best way to help chunk process

【procrastination】

0. pomodoro

1.why? feel uncomfortable
the better you get at something, the more you'll find you enjoy it.

2.habit (how to harness) ----develop a good habit to save energy (don't waste precious willpower)
cue--- watch for it
routine--- have a plan
reward
belief--- 1)believe that your new system works is what can get you through
            2)mental contrasting is a powerful motivating technique

3. planner-journal
write your planned tasks out the night before, so your brain has time to dwell on your goals to help ensure success.
The best way for you to gain control of your habits is simple: Once a week, write a brief weekly list of key tasks. Then, each day, write a list of the tasks that you can reasonably work on or accomplish. Try to write this daily task list the evening before.

4. A POSITIVE APPROACH TO PROCRASTINATION
"I tell my students they can procrastinate as long as they follow three rules:

1) No going onto the computer during their procrastination time. It’s just too engrossing.

2)Before procrastinating, identify the easiest homework problem. (No solving is necessary at this point.)

3) Copy the equation or equations that are needed to solve the problem onto a small piece of paper and carry the paper around until they are ready to quit procrastinating and get back to work.

“I have found this approach to be helpful because it allows the problem to linger in diffuse mode—students are working on it even while they are procrastinating.”

5. It’s normal to sit down with a few negative feelings about beginning your work. It’s how you handle those feelings that matters. （emotions strongly affect learning.）

【illusions of competence】
test yourself
minimize highlighting
mistakes are good
use deliberate practice


【law of serendipity】
lady luck favours the one who tries
the more you learn, the easier the process of study is.

【einstellung】
 is when your initial thought, an idea, you've already had in mind, or a mental pattern you've already developed well and strengthened, prevents a better idea or solution from being formed, or keep you from being flexible.

【Introduction of memory】
In you try to glue things into your memory by repeating something 20 times in one evening, it won't stick nearly as well as if you practice it in the same number of times over several days.