The most enrolled course on Coursera, and a genuinely useful one. Barbara Oakley explains the neuroscience of studying — focus, memory, procrastination — in plain language, with techniques you can use immediately. Short, practical and suitable for any subject.
Good for: Students and self-learners who want to study more effectively in less time.
Less suitable if: You already use spaced repetition and active recall, or you want subject-specific content.
Skills you'll gain
Study skillsMemory techniquesSpaced repetitionActive recallManaging procrastinationLearning strategy
Is this course right for you?
A good fit if you…
You want to learn faster and remember more
You are about to start a demanding course or degree
You struggle with procrastination
Consider something else if you…
You already know evidence-based study methods
You want content on a specific subject
You prefer a longer, in-depth course
Requirements: None.
Realistic time: About 15 hours; most finish within one to two weeks.
About this course
Learning How to Learn is the most enrolled Coursera course ever made and one of the most enrolled MOOCs in history with nearly four million learners. Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski translate neuroscience research into practical study techniques: the diffuse vs. focused thinking modes, how memory consolidation works during sleep, spaced repetition and retrieval practice, the Pomodoro technique, and how to overcome procrastination using an understanding of how the brain works.
What you'll learn
Apply focused and diffuse thinking modes strategically
Use spaced repetition and retrieval practice to improve long-term retention
Understand how sleep consolidates memory and design study schedules accordingly
Apply the Pomodoro technique to manage procrastination
Understand and avoid illusions of competence in learning
This course includes
15h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
What it costs
You can take the full course free on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription, with financial aid available. Barbara Oakley also hosts a free version of the material on her own website.
Comparison · LBS
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The certificate is issued through Coursera with McMaster University and UC San Diego. It is a personal-skills credential; the techniques matter more than the certificate.
Instructor
BO
Barbara Oakley / Terrence Sejnowski
Coursera instructor
3.8M+ learners4 courses4.8 instructor rating
Taught by Barbara Oakley, Professor of Engineering at Oakland University and author of 'A Mind for Numbers,' and Terrence Sejnowski, Francis Crick Professor at the Salk Institute — combining cognitive neuroscience and practical learning research.
Yes for most people. The techniques are simple, evidence-based and apply to any subject. Reviewers often wish they had learned them sooner.
Yes. Coursera offers a free 'no certificate' option, and Barbara Oakley also hosts a free version on her own website. Only the Coursera certificate costs money.
They are based on well-established research on memory and attention, and most learners find them practical to apply.
About 15 hours, usually over one to two weeks.
Yes, it draws on Barbara Oakley's book 'A Mind for Numbers', though the course stands on its own.
Anyone who studies — students, career changers, or self-learners about to tackle something difficult.