This is part 3 of the 7-part series of Learning Is a Struggle (Learner Edition). Most people don’t struggle because they’re “not smart”—they struggle because they study in a way that doesn’t match what the task requires. In Episode 7, Dr. Donald Easton-Brooks introduces Bloom’s Taxonomy as a practical learning map you can use to diagnose where you’re stuck: remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, or creating. You’ll learn how to tell the difference between “I don’t remember it” and “I don’t understand it,” why many learners get trapped in memorization, and how cultural context and lived experience shape what feels familiar—or confusing—when new information comes in. By the end, you’ll have a simple method for choosing the right study move based on the Bloom level you actually need.

Audience

• High school and college students who feel stuck despite studying

• First-generation college students building study skills

• Struggling learners who confuse memorization with understanding

• Adult learners returning to school or career training

• Students in lecture-heavy courses and problem-solving courses

• Learners preparing for exams, finals, or high-stakes assessments

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  Keywords:

  Bloom’s Taxonomy, how to study smarter, learning map, study strategies, active learning, remembering vs understanding, applying knowledge, higher-order thinking, critical thinking skills, exam preparation, learning process, cultural context of learning, first-generation students, struggling learners