Learning is a Two Step Process

I hear that practice at music schools is changing a bit. I hope so. At places like Julliard you would try to grab one of the limited number of practice rooms. Ok, you mananged to get one, so you camped out and practiced for hours so you wouldn't lose having a place to play that day.
Now, I hear, they take more breaks.
When we learn, it is a two step process. (1) Take in information. (2) Incorperate the new information into what we already know and believe.
If you study math for 2 hours then read history for a while, you won't find you retained the math as well as someone who took a break and shot hoops or napped afterward. Yeah, that's why people do well when they memorize right before bed. Learning is a two part process.
It is interesting that even exercise is a two step process. First you run, swim or lift weights. This makes small tears in your muscles. Then you rest at night or over a few days. During your resting, the small tears are repaired as new muscle tissue grows to connect them. It is the complete process of exercise (tearing down) and rest (repair) that is important.
Look at my post on Study Plans which quotes a Time Magazine research article showing how you learn as much studying in little bits as those who plod on unceasingly. Then you might want to get off the computer and take a walk or make a dagwood sandwich so you'll actually remember what you read...

Credits -
Photo from aaroscape on flickr.