Due diligence Quote by Peter C. Brown
““Rereading has three strikes against it. It is time consuming. It doesn’t result in durable memory. And it often involves a kind of unwitting self-deception, as growing familiarity with the text comes to feel like mastery of the content. The hours immersed in rereading can seem like due diligence, but the amount of study time is no measure of mastery.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Make It Stick by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, Mark A. McDaniel, 2014
Rereading creates an illusion of mastery but consumes time without improving long‑term retention; active retrieval is more effective
In simple terms: Rereading feels productive but doesn’t help memory; use active recall instead
Key Takeaway
Use spaced repetition and self‑testing for durable learning
Themes
learning
memory
study techniques
efficiency
Mood
reflective
practical
Type
educational
advice
When to use this quote
- exam preparation
- self‑study
- academic reading
Key Concepts
retrieval practice
metacognition
cognitive load
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you incorporate active recall?
- What study methods suit your learning style?
A Different Perspective
Rereading may still be useful for initial exposure
