Procrastination and Memory :Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects (Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects) Answers 2026
Question 1
Four parts of habits:
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✅ The routine
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❌ The focused mode
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✅ The belief
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❌ The relaxation response
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✅ The cue
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✅ The reward
Explanation:
Habits consist of cue → routine → reward, reinforced by belief.
Question 2
True statements about learning and procrastination:
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❌ Concentrate on the product, not the process
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✅ Negative feelings at the start are normal
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✅ The product triggers the pain that causes procrastination
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❌ Good learners always start excited
Explanation:
Focusing on process, not product, reduces procrastination. Negative feelings are normal.
Question 3
True statements about task lists and planner journals:
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❌ Put as many tasks as possible on your list
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✅ Make notes about what works and what doesn’t
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✅ Plan your quitting time
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❌ A quitting time isn’t important
Explanation:
Realistic task lists and planned stopping times improve productivity and reduce burnout.
Question 4
Good study habits:
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❌ Practice only easy material
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✅ Start early to allow mastery and flexibility
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❌ Study in one long session before a test
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✅ Interleave different types of problems
Explanation:
Early starts and interleaving promote deep, long-term learning.
Question 5
True statements about procrastination:
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❌ Procrastination leads to a fulfilling life
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✅ Procrastination negatively impacts many areas of life
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❌ Constant willpower is the best solution
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✅ Procrastination shares characteristics with addiction
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✅ Procrastination involves avoiding discomfort
Explanation:
Procrastination is driven by discomfort avoidance and habit loops, not lack of willpower.
Question 6
“Zombie mode” refers to:
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✅ Relaxed habitual behavior (autopilot mode)
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❌ Zombie apocalypse survival
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❌ Fighting zombies
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❌ Being exhausted from overwork
Explanation:
Zombie mode is the brain’s automatic, habitual processing state.
Question 7
True statements about process vs product:
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❌ Product means being productive
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✅ Product refers to the outcome
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❌ Process triggers pain
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✅ Pomodoro helps you focus on the process
Explanation:
Focusing on process reduces anxiety and procrastination.
Question 8
True statements about overcoming procrastination:
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✅ Keep a planner journal
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✅ Identify and avoid procrastination cues
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✅ Make task lists at night to engage subconscious processing
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❌ Study in distracting environments
Explanation:
Good environments and planning reduce reliance on willpower.
Question 9
Good ways to reduce procrastination cues:
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❌ Play very loud music
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✅ Let distractions pass and return to work calmly
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❌ Surround yourself with distractions
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✅ Use noise-muffling ear blockers
Explanation:
Reducing cues and calmly refocusing is effective.
Question 10
True statements about memory:
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❌ Cake-loving brain areas are best for memory
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✅ Using multiple senses creates more neural hooks
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❌ Last-minute cramming builds long-term memory
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✅ Spaced repetition strengthens long-term memory
Explanation:
Memory improves through spaced repetition and multisensory encoding.
Question 11
Helpful techniques for remembering lists:
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✅ Memory palace technique
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❌ Repeating endlessly in one session
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✅ Acronym / sentence method
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❌ Taking a photo instead of memorizing
Explanation:
Visualization and structured associations greatly improve recall.
Question 12
Long-term memories:
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❌ Are permanent and unchanged
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❌ Have nothing to do with hippocampus
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✅ Are modified through reconsolidation
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✅ Take time to consolidate
Explanation:
Memory is dynamic and reshaped each time it’s recalled.
Question 13
Important learning points from Week 1:
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❌ Stick only to areas you already excel in
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❌ Follow passion only, ignore skill growth
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✅ Learning how to learn increases flexibility
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✅ Learning how to learn improves ability and reduces frustration
Explanation:
Skills are malleable, and learning strategies improve performance.
Question 14
True statements about chunking:
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✅ Chunking improves efficiency
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❌ Chunks aren’t relevant to big picture
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✅ Retrieval helps form chunks
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❌ Chunking is an illusion of competence
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✅ Chunks help connect new concepts across fields
Explanation:
Chunking is essential for understanding, flexibility, and creativity.
🧾 Summary Table
| Q# | Correct Answer(s) | Key Concept |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Routine, Belief, Cue, Reward | Habits |
| 2 | 2, 3 | Procrastination |
| 3 | 2, 3 | Planning |
| 4 | 2, 4 | Study habits |
| 5 | 2, 4, 5 | Procrastination |
| 6 | 1 | Zombie mode |
| 7 | 2, 4 | Process vs product |
| 8 | 1, 2, 3 | Anti-procrastination |
| 9 | 2, 4 | Managing cues |
| 10 | 2, 4 | Memory |
| 11 | 1, 3 | Recall techniques |
| 12 | 3, 4 | Long-term memory |
| 13 | 3, 4 | Learning mindset |
| 14 | 1, 3, 5 | Chunking |