Respondr Book Review - Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
Published by Respondr 3 min readFor first responders learning is constant, but time, mental energy, and pressure can make it tough to retain information long-term. Whether you're studying new protocols, preparing for specialist roles, or completing CPD, how you learn can be just as important as what you learn.
In Make It Stick, the authors—a cognitive psychologist, neuroscientist, and science writer—break down the myths of learning and offer practical, research-based techniques to improve memory, understanding, and application. This book is especially powerful for first responders, who often rely on learning that must be recalled accurately in high-stress environments.
🧠 Why It’s Relevant to First Responders
Paramedics are often under pressure to learn quickly and retain information across a broad range of clinical and non-clinical areas. Unfortunately, many default study habits—like rereading or cramming—are ineffective. Make It Stick helps paramedics learn how to absorb material in a way that sticks over time and can be applied when it matters most.
✅ Key Takeaways for Paramedics
1. Active Recall Beats Passive Review
Rereading or highlighting may feel productive, but the science says otherwise. Testing yourself—by trying to recall the information without notes—is far more effective.
How to apply it:
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After reviewing a protocol, write down what you remember.
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Quiz yourself or use flashcards to test your recall.
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Teach a colleague what you’ve just learned—explaining helps cement understanding.
2. Spaced Practice Is Better Than Cramming
It’s more effective to space your learning out over time than to try to absorb it all in one go.
How to apply it:
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Break CPD modules into short sessions over a few days.
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Set calendar reminders to review material a week or two after first learning it.
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Use apps like Anki or Quizlet to build spaced repetition into your routine.
3. Mixing It Up Improves Retention
Varied practice (interleaving) helps your brain adapt and recall information in new situations. Practising one thing over and over in isolation can feel easier—but it doesn't prepare you for real-life complexity.
How to apply it:
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When reviewing clinical topics, mix respiratory, trauma, and cardiac cases together.
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Use different formats: case studies, checklists, scenario walk-throughs.
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Change the order and method you practise—especially before assessments.
4. Struggle Is Part of the Learning Process
Effortful learning leads to better retention. If something feels difficult, that’s a sign your brain is working harder to make connections.
How to apply it:
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Don’t avoid concepts that feel tough—lean into them with the right tools.
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Challenge yourself with practice questions or scenarios outside your comfort zone.
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Reflect after shifts: What was new? What challenged you? What would you do differently?
💬 Final Thought
Make It Stick is one of the most practical and accessible books on learning science—and its lessons are tailor-made for paramedics who want to retain more and stress less. The techniques may feel different from what you’re used to, but the research is clear: learning that feels harder often sticks better.
If you're ready to make better use of your study time and develop a deeper, more lasting understanding of your clinical knowledge, this book is a must-read.
📘 Respondr Tip:
Pick one technique from this review—active recall, spaced practice, or varied learning—and apply it to your next CPD task or study session this week. Notice the difference.