How I Accidentally Discovered the Feynman Technique in College (And Why It Can Transform Your Learning Too)

During my college days, I always understood concepts when they were taught, yet I noticed something powerful when I tried putting those same ideas into everyday language. One of my favourite memories is when a group of us tried to decode Schrödinger’s cat during a hostel study break. The original thought experiment felt too far removed from our world, so we replaced the cat with something far more relatable: a tiffin box.

Picture this. You’ve rushed out of home in the morning, half awake, trusting your brother to slip your lunch into your bag. The sealed tiffin box becomes our mystery. Until we open it during the break, we live in two emotional states at once: happiness (lunch exists) and regret (only air inside). In our version, the tiffin remains both full and empty until observed. A fun, edible version of quantum superposition.

Explaining it this way didn’t just help us laugh through the stress of engineering life. It planted the idea firmly in our minds. The moment we turned abstract theory into something we could feel, joke about, and retell, the learning stuck. That shift of simplifying, teaching each other, and finding real metaphors became our secret strategy for understanding everything from programming logic to physics fundamentals.

Little did I know, this was an established method known as The Feynman Technique, inspired by legendary physicist Richard Feynman. And how I accidentally discovered this Technique in College.

Fast-forward to today. If you struggle to learn efficiently or want to build unshakeable foundational skills, the Feynman Technique might become your secret superpower.

What Exactly Is the Feynman Technique?

Richard Feynman, Nobel Prize–winning physicist and certified genius-with-childlike-curiosity, believed that a person doesn’t truly understand something unless they can explain it simply. His method boils down to four practical steps:

1. Choose a concept
   Something you genuinely want to understand.
2. Explain it in simple language, as if teaching someone else
   Even better if that “someone” is imaginary, confused, or your loud hostel friend.
3. Identify gaps in understanding
   Any stumble reveals you don’t fully get the idea.
4. Refine and simplify
   Return to the topic, study again, find analogies, and clarify.

It isn’t magic. It’s clarity forged through humility and curiosity.

How People Use the Feynman Technique Today

Millions of learners use the technique across different fields:

✅ Students teaching their subjects to friends
✅ Programmers explaining code workflows using diagrams
✅ Scientists writing blog posts to simplify research
✅ Public speakers testing ideas before they hit stage
✅ Professionals preparing for interviews by breaking down complex topics

People even record themselves explaining concepts and watch the playback to spot confusion. Scary but effective.

The moment your brain stutters, you’ve found the weak point to fix.

Where Can the Technique Be Applied?

This method isn’t restricted to quantum physics or Python loops. It can be used for:

• Academic subjects
• Coding and software engineering
• Solving math problems
• Learning new tools or frameworks
• Preparing for technical interviews
• Mastering communication skills
• Understanding business, psychology, finance
• Even personal life… like explaining why you need eight hours of sleep

Where there’s learning, there’s a Feynman opportunity.

Feynman Technique in Action for First-Year Programming Students

Let’s take relatable engineering-life examples:

Example 1: Explaining Variables

1. Concept: Variables
2. Explanation attempt:
   “A variable is like a labeled jar where we store values. If the jar says age = 19, we know its content.”
3. Gap: Can the jar’s contents change? How does memory work here?
4. Fix:
   “A variable is a named space in memory that can store data and update it anytime. Like replacing the cookies in the jar with chips.”

Congratulations, you now feel what a variable is.

Example 2: Understanding Functions

“Functions are like vending machines. You give an input (money), the machine performs a process, and returns an output (snacks). If you call the same function again with the same input, boom, more snacks.”

Gap found: What if machine breaks? Error handling.
Study that. Explain again.

Example 3: Grasping Loops

“A loop is repeating a task until a condition is met — like hitting snooze until mom threatens to pour water on you. while(not awake): snooze()”

Gap found: Infinite loops? Add constraints and break conditions.

Example 4: Pointers (for C language learners)

This one trips everyone.

Try this:
“Pointer is like getting the address of your friend’s room in the hostel so instead of carrying them everywhere, you just know where to find them.”

Gap: Pointer arithmetic? Null pointer?
Study them, simplify again.

You get the pattern.

Why This Works Like Brain Fuel

Your mind hates pretending. When you force yourself to teach:

⭐ You uncover hidden confusion
⭐ Your memory strengthens because the concept becomes visual and emotional
⭐ You form real-world analogies that your brain loves
⭐ You build confidence by making others understand
⭐ You transform passive reading into active learning

It turns students into contributors.

Bring This Into Your Life Starting Today

Next time you learn something new:

• Pick a concept
• Write the explanation like you’re teaching a curious 12-year-old
• Note every section where you feel stuck
• Dive back, learn, and simplify again
• Bonus: Teach someone else and watch your knowledge click

Soon, you wil not just pass exams. You will own the subject.

Richard Feynman didn’t want us to memorize reality. He wanted us to experience it.

If a confused hostel student can transform through this method, so can you. Your engineering journey has just unlocked a new cheat code. 🚀

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