Your brain is a web. Cramming is just a strand. Learning is the entire web.

Cramming is compartmentalized memorization, while learning is a series of connected memories.

Here’s an extreme example:

Recently a highly conscientious student joined the A+ Club, troubled over her difficulties in math and science. Turns out the student was memorizing solutions to practice problems before tests, and when those questions didn’t show up on the test, she failed them. (Talk about teacher dysfunction: how could you not notice this??) Continue reading →