HackYourBrain_BucharestJUG_23102025.pptx

This talk explores how developers can learn smarter, not harder, by applying insights from neuroscience to coding practice. You’ll discover why learning is more than storing information. We’ll dive into the difference between rate of learning and rate of retrieval, and why being a fast learner doesn’t always make you a fast retriever. You’ll learn practical strategies to make new concepts stick.

​We’ll also cover how to structure your coding sessions using the primary–recency effect. Along the way, you’ll get actionable tips for boosting focus and leveraging downtime.

​Whether you’re learning a new Java framework or mastering advanced concepts, you’ll walk away with science-backed tips to learn smarter, code better, and stay ahead.

1. Hack your brain Smarter Learning for Devs 23-10-2025 BY SIMONE DE GIJT

2. Neuroscience Rate of Learning Rate of Retrieval Biohacking # HackYourBrain Our learning path for today

3. NEUROSCIENCE

4. LEARNING OCCURS BY CHANGING THE SYNAPSES SO THAT THE INFLUENCE OF ONE NEURON ON ANOTHER ALSO CHANGES

5. NEURONS THAT FIRE TOGETHER WIRE TOGETHER ~ Donald Hebb # HackYourBrain !

6. pruning # HackYourBrain ! Pathways that aren’t used often enough lead to the disposal of the dendrites that were being used

7. THE MORE WE LEARN AND RETAIN, THE MORE WE CAN LEARN AND RETAIN # HackYourBrain !

8. INFORMATION PROCESSING MODEL SIGHT HEARING TOUCH SMELL TASTE Short Term Memory Working Memory Long Term Memory Past experiences Encoding Retrieving EMOTIONS # HackYourBrain How the brain learns (Sousa, 2022)

9. Every time we recall information from long-term memory into working memory: we relearn it.

10. Rate of learning != Rate of retrieval LEARNING RETRIEVAL # HackYourBrain

11. Rate of learning

12. TIME

13. Dark hole of learning The low point of focus just past the middle of the day. Degree of Focus How the brain learns (Sousa, 2022)

14. PRIMARY-RECENCY EFFECT New information Additional info Practice PRIME TIME 1 DOWN TIME Degree of Retention How the brain learns (Sousa, 2022) # HackYourBrain

15. DOWN TIME RATIO 10 % 38 % How the brain learns (Sousa, 2022) # HackYourBrain

16. LEARNING while YOU CODE 10 minutes 2 minutes 8 minutes # HackYourBrain

17. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

18. Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice does make permanent.

19. ACTION INTENTION REFLECTION ADJUSTMENT THE IMPROVEMENT CYCLE # HackYourBrain

20. PRODUCTIVE LEARNING STRUGGLE Challenges just beyond current skill level Leads to growth, not frustration Strengthens problem-solving and resilience Leaves room to reflect on how you learn ( metacognition )

21. MIDWAY - Key take aways # HackYourBrain

22. Rate of retrieval

23. we retrieve by difference We store by similarity

24. RETRIEVAL # HackYourBrain

25. # HackYourBrain System of storage

26. Beginners will be able to process a lot less code than experts. Knowledge Organization and Skill Differences in Computer Programmers (McKeithen, Reitman, Rueter and Hirtle , 1981) # HackYourBrain !

27. code reading club Github Marit van Dijk

28. exercise - chunking Select code : should be somewhat familiar, max 50 lines of code Study : max 2 minutes Reproduce from memory : as much as you can recall Reflect : What parts were easy to recall? What parts were partially recalled? What parts did you miss entirely? Ask yourself: Were those lines unfamiliar in terms of syntax, domain, or logic? # HackYourBrain Inspired by  The Programmer’s Brain  – Felienne Hermans

29. BIOHACKS

30. OXYGEN After 20 min blood flow decreases 1 min of moving leads to about 15% more blood in our brain We think better on our feet than on our seat.

31. water EVERY DAY : 237 ML PER 11 KILOS EXAMPLE : 75 KILO / 11 * 237 -------- 1616 ML WATER A DAY # HackYourBrain ! Water supports the transmission of neural signals in the brain.

32. GLUCOSE 50 grams of fruit per day The brain uses 20% of your body’s energy

33. light Indirect Pathway  via sleep and body clock Direct Pathway  light affects mood directly Get 10–15 min of sunlight in the morning to boost brain performance. Light as a central modulator of circadian rhythms, sleep and affect ( LeGates , Fernandez and Hattar, 2014)

34. Key take aways # HackYourBrain

35. Sources How the brain learns – David A. Sousa (2022) The programmer’s brain – Felienne Hermans (2021) Knowledge Organization and Skill Differences in Computer Programmers - McKeithen, Reitman, Rueter and Hirtle (1981) Light as a central modulator of circadian rhythms, sleep and affect - Tara A LeGates , Diego C Fernandez, Samer Hattar (2014) Why we s leep - Matthew Walker (2017) # HackYourBrain

36. HAPPY LEARNINGS! Slidedeck: # HackYourBrain