Make It Stick - The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel
- Alick Mouriesse
- Mar 21
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 25
Master the proven science behind effective learning in this microlearning book essential on “Make It Stick,” revealing practical strategies to learn better.
A U365 5MTS Microlearning 5 MINUTES TO SUCCESS Book Essential |
INTRODUCTION
Ever wondered why some information slips through your fingers while other facts stay with you for a lifetime? “Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning” pulls together decades of cognitive science research to show exactly how effective, long-term learning happens—and how commonly used strategies like rereading and cramming let us down.
Within these pages, the authors reveal a proven set of practices that help people of all backgrounds learn more efficiently. Whether you’re a student preparing for exams, a professional upgrading your skill set, or a lifelong learner seeking personal development, “Make It Stick” provides a roadmap of techniques—like spacing, interleaving, and retrieval practice—that can significantly boost your retention.
Backed by stories of pilots, neurosurgeons, and everyday individuals mastering complex tasks, the book offers more than theories. It lays out real-world examples, success pitfalls, and the kind of guidance that changes the way we think about learning. By turning counterintuitive research findings into clear strategies, the authors help us trade in short-lived “quick fixes” for methods that truly stand the test of time. Read on to discover how to make your knowledge stick for good!
U365'S VALUE PROPOSITION
Who will gain the most? Anyone determined to learn effectively, whether for school, professional exams, or personal enrichment. At University 365 (U365), our audience craves actionable methods to navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI, business, and digital skills. The core problems this book tackles—like forgetting, illusions of mastery, and unproductive study habits—directly impact those juggling changing technologies or preparing for new career challenges.
Where “Make It Stick” excels is in offering readers tried-and-true steps to transform shallow memorization into meaningful understanding. This aligns perfectly with our approach at U365, which harnesses neuroscience and AI to optimize daily learning. Moreover, its focus on growth mindsets and iterative self-testing resonates with U365’s emphasis on building “superhuman” lifelong learners who thrive on continuous improvement.
OVERVIEW
Learning is not a matter of pouring knowledge into your head but of actively constructing meaning from experience, time, and effort. “Make It Stick” zeroes in on several key themes that are pivotal to strong, lasting learning outcomes:
• Retrieval Practice:
Strengthening knowledge by repeatedly digging it out of memory.
• Spacing:
Avoiding last-minute cramming and using scheduled reviews to reinforce durable retention.
• Interleaving:
Mixing various subjects or problem types to sharpen critical thinking and discrimination skills.
• Elaboration & Context:
Connecting new ideas to existing knowledge and real-world scenarios.
• Overcoming Illusions of Mastery: Spotting and rejecting false signals of “knowing,” then adapting your study strategies.
Most importantly, “Make It Stick” presents frameworks that easily integrate with real life: from classroom settings to professional training, flight simulations to everyday personal learning. These time-tested principles bring clarity and agility to any learning endeavor.
SUMMARY
Learning Is Misunderstood The first chapter examines how humans typically go about learning—and shows that many common techniques, such as rereading and cramming, fail to produce deep, lasting knowledge. The authors point out that quick gains can lead to illusions of mastery, which fade rapidly once the pressure (like an exam) is over.
To Learn, Retrieve The next section introduces retrieval practice. Quizzing yourself with flashcards, practice tests, or teaching others consolidates knowledge in ways that passive methods cannot. Even brief, low-stakes quizzes slow forgetting and strengthen recall.
Mix Up Your Practice By using interleaving—alternating between different types of problems or topics—learners gain a superior ability to transfer knowledge from one situation to another. Although it feels less efficient at first (because it’s more challenging), this spacing and mixing leads to higher levels of mastery.
Embrace Difficulties Difficulties that demand more cognitive effort can actually deepen learning. When you successfully tackle a challenging retrieval task or solve a problem before being shown how, you are engaging in “desirable difficulties.” These strengthen mental connections and aid long-term retention.
Avoid Illusions of Knowing Familiarity with a topic—like recognizing vocabulary—often masquerades as true understanding. The authors highlight the need for rigorous self-testing, receiving feedback, and seeking out corrective insights that expose what is genuinely learned versus what only feels learned.
Increase Your Abilities Chapters emphasize the idea that intelligence is not fixed. Through consistent retrieval practice, spacing, reflection, and open-mindedness to errors, anyone can expand their cognitive capacity. The authors debunk the myth that mistakes must be avoided, explaining instead that well-corrected errors are essential building blocks of expertise.
Make It Stick As the book wraps up, the authors unite all these concepts into a cohesive approach. Readers find direct, applicable advice for continuous learning, whether that’s through daily self-quizzing, dynamic discussion groups, or carefully structured study sessions.
At every turn, real-world examples—from neurosurgeons in high-pressure situations to everyday students, from sports practice drills to business training—demonstrate that the right kinds of spaced practice, varied challenges, and timely feedback are what make knowledge truly endure.
IN PRACTICE
Start with Simple Retrieval Use active methods: Flashcards, self-generated quizzes, or Q&A with a friend (or an AI study partner). Commit to not peeking at the answers until you’ve truly tried retrieving them.
Space Your Sessions Schedule multiple short reviews across days or weeks instead of a single marathon session. The brief forgetting between sessions forces stronger memory reconsolidation.
Interleave Subjects Don’t study just math for an hour. Switch it up with a few math problems, then a short reading for your marketing course, then back to math. It feels cumbersome but expands your discrimination and problem-solving agility.
Test Before Learning Whenever starting a new chapter or tackling a fresh topic, give yourself a short pre-test. Even if you fail, the brain revs up to absorb the correct answers more deeply.
Reflect and Elaborate Devote a few minutes after each session to summarizing what you learned. Link it to real-life examples. Ask yourself how each concept fits into your bigger goals.
Manage Errors & Feedback Welcome mistakes: they reveal knowledge gaps. Seek immediate or spaced feedback. Capture those corrections so you can revisit them to seal your understanding.
Stay Alert to Illusions Don’t confuse recognition with recall. Familiar passages or repeated text can fool you into “knowing.” Always verify by retrieving or teaching someone else.
QUOTES
“Memory is the mother of all wisdom.” (Aeschylus, cited to remind us that recall is the engine of true learning.) Practical Relevance: In “Make It Stick,” the emphasis on memory retrieval aligns perfectly: actively recalling knowledge cements it in your mind.
“When learning is harder, it’s stronger and lasts longer.” Practical Relevance: It’s a succinct summary of “desirable difficulties.” This principle is exactly why quick gains from cramming fade and spaced practice thrives.
“One of the best habits a learner can instill in herself is regular self-quizzing.” Practical Relevance: Proactive testing of knowledge not only clarifies what you do and don’t know but also strengthens memory pathways.
“Failure is a badge of effort and a source of useful information.” Practical Relevance: Mistakes guide deeper study. Accepting them leads to stronger, more flexible mastery.
AUTHORS EXPERTISE
Peter C. Brown is a seasoned storyteller who teamed up with cognitive scientists Henry L. Roediger III and Mark A. McDaniel—both professors in the field of psychology at Washington University in St. Louis. Roediger and McDaniel have dedicated decades to researching how we learn and remember. Their evidence-based findings, tested in real classrooms and training labs, result in a powerful blend of scientific insight and practical counsel.
The authors’ combined backgrounds in empirical research and approachable writing style elevate “Make It Stick” into a comprehensive guide for modern learners.
RESOURCES
Official Book Link:
Harvard University Press page: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674729018
Additional Reading:
“How We Learn” by Benedict Carey
“Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise” by Anders Ericsson and Robert Pool
BONUS - THE U365 AI ADVANTAGE |
Use AI (U.Copilot) to Deepen Your Understanding
Role: You’re a curious learner exploring memory strategies from “Make It Stick.”
Context: You want to confirm your grasp of retrieval practice by quizzing yourself.
Goal: Sharpen your recall of key concepts and test for any illusions of mastery.
Clarity: “U.Copilot, pretend you’re my tutor. Ask me five challenging questions about retrieval and spacing, and coach me on each incorrect answer. Then help me link these concepts to a real-life example of my choosing.”
U365 Helps You Learn Faster and Smarter Our digital platform harnesses generative AI to tailor personal study schedules, incorporate retrieval quizzes, and measure retention over time. Through our LIPS Digital Second Brain and CARE frameworks, you maintain a structured approach to notes, tasks, and reviews—so your new insights from “Make It Stick” lock in permanently.
Apply “Make It Stick” Principles with Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat
Role: You’re a busy professional wanting to embed spaced repetition into your daily routine.
Context: Work responsibilities often disrupt your learning habits.
Goal: Construct a flexible schedule that weaves short retrieval breaks into your day.
Clarity: “Microsoft 365 Copilot, set me a daily 10-minute block at 10 AM and 3 PM for spaced review of this week’s readings. Include random self-test questions drawn from my notes on ‘Make It Stick,’ and create a reminder to check my performance stats every Friday.”
Discussions To Learn Deep Dive - Podcast
Click on the Youtube image below to start the Youtube Podcast.
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