The Feynman Technique

Learning can be tricky – students often feel overwhelmed by difficult words, complicated ideas, and topics that just don’t seem to make sense. But there’s a helpful method which can make things clearer – the Feynman Technique. Richard Feynman was a famous physicist who was great at explaining tough stuff in a simple way, and this technique might be just what you need to truly understand your studies.

What is the Feynman Technique?
In essence, the Feynman Technique revolves around explaining a concept in the simplest terms possible, as if you are explaining it to a five-year-old. If you stumble or you can’t put it simply enough, you haven’t understood it well enough.

How to Apply the Feynman Technique: A Step-by-Step Guide
• Choose Your Topic: Identify the subject or concept you’re trying to grasp.
• Teach it to a Toddler: Imagine you’re explaining the topic to a five-year-old. Use simple language and avoid jargon. Doing this will force you to break the concept down to its most basic form.
• Identify Any Gaps in Your Understanding: If you’re struggling to explain or simplify any part, congratulations – you’ve found a gap! Dive back into your resources (textbooks, notes, and lectures) and try to fill that gap.
• Organize and Simplify: Once you’ve filled the gaps, try to explain the topic again. Use analogies or stories if they help, and repeat until you can explain the topic quickly and efficiently.
• Test Yourself: Talk about the topic to peers, mentors, or even friends outside your field. Their questions can offer new perspectives, and reveal more gaps in your understanding.

Imagine you’re grappling with the concept of entropy in thermodynamics. The textbook definitions feels like impenetrable jargon: “Entropy measures the number of specific ways in which a system may be arranged.” Did you get it? Now, apply the Feynman Technique.

“Imagine you have a box of red Lego bricks. If you shake the box, the bricks won’t look much different. This represents a low-entropy state – there’s only one way that the bricks can be. Now, imagine mixing in some blue, green, and yellow bricks, and shake the box again. The number of different ways that these bricks can arrange themselves in the box is vast. This mixed, unpredictable state represents high entropy.” Suddenly, the complex definition becomes relatable, and more digestible.

Why Every Student Should Embrace the Feynman Technique
• It Boosts Retention: By teaching, we learn. By simplifying, we understand. This two-pronged approach ensures that concepts stick.
• Empowers Lifelong Learning: This isn’t just a study hack – it’s a life skill. Whether you’re trying to master a new language, a musical instrument, or a software tool, the Feynman Technique can be applied.
• Promotes Active Engagement: Rather than passive rote learning, the Feynman Technique is active and engaging. Best of all, it helps in developing critical thinking.
• Enhances Communication Skills: Learning to break down complex ideas not only aids your understanding but also hones your communication skills, a critical asset in any profession.