I am currently a "self-studier", so the manner in which I learn is I have a textbook and I work through it in a relatively linear fashion. As I am introduced to new concepts I ask questions (sometimes I go down the "rabbit hole", but I feel I've got a good handle on this now) and I attempt to answer these myself and if all else fails I ask Maths SE. Most importantly, only after I've understood a certain topic do I then use Anki to make flashcards to ensure I retain most of what I've learned. Learning like this is what seems to work for me, however I feel like this could be optimised.
So, I have a few questions:
- When exposed to a new topic what kind of questions should one be asking oneself? What are the most incisive kinds of questions that cut to the core of a matter? How do I ask the right questions?
- Is there a proven effective way of learning? How does one learn something inside-out?
- How does one learn to think really analytically?
- What is the best way to make connections with things you've learned previously? I feel that with Anki (a spaced repetition system) that I make all these flashcard decks full of bite-sized bits of knowledge that I can recall on demand, but just because you can recall something on cue doesn't mean you can use that knowledge when a certain context demands it. How does one make strong connections between all these disparate bits of knowledge? I want to build a strong "network" of knowledge if you get what I mean.
- What study-habits should you instill in yourself if you want be an effective learner?
P.S. If this is too opinion-based is it possible to place this in community wiki or something?