I've been using Claude and ChatGPT for learning for a couple of months now, but I'm not really sure if I'm doing it right. Just asking questions works, but how do I structure it meaningfully so I actually retain what I learn? How do you guys approach it?
The key thing is don't just read the answers - actually ask the AI to find gaps in your understanding. Instead of "Explain X to me," try "I think X works like this and that, is that right?" and then go through what you got wrong. After that, write down what you learned in your own words, then use the AI one more time to check if your summary's actually correct - that sticks way better than just reading. How long are you studying in one go anyway, and is it more about a specific subject or general efficiency?
The really tricky thing is that AI gives you answers way too fast - and that's exactly the problem! If you just ask and read, your brain doesn't really do much. Better to use AI as a sparring partner: you formulate your thoughts on a topic first, let it check where the errors or gaps are, then ask targeted questions about the confusing parts. That forces you to think a lot more yourself.
What really helps me when learning (and you can do the same with AI): write something down afterwards. Don't just copy it, but summarize it in your own words or even write down where you still don't understand. Then you ask the AI: "I still have gaps here - where's my thinking error?" That's way more effective than just having everything explained to you.
One more tip: turn it into projects! Don't just collect random questions, but say you want to understand X by the end of a session or be able to build Y. The AI can make you a plan and walk you through it step by step - and you'll notice much faster whether you've actually got it or not. That also saves you from that annoying feeling of having read 1000 things and still being unable to do anything!
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