How I Study: My Five-Step System for Deep Study and Lifelong Learning

A behind-the-scenes look at how deep reading, marking, writing, and speaking transform my ideas into lasting wisdom

Circa 2016, Blakeney, North Carolina. Final doctoral thesis edits. Secretly taken by my wife.

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A while back, I wrote a post on “How and Why I Read,” explaining my reading process and why I mark up books. Today, I’d like to share the next stage of that journey: how I study. This isn’t about short bursts of research for a single project but rather a focused, multi-layered approach I often call deep study.

Whether for my writing, a new idea, or spiritual and philosophical studies, deep study helps me connect surprising dots—like how a simple reflection on hope leads me to explore light and eventually delves into cosmology. These connections shape larger works, like my upcoming book (I’ll refer to it as “the new book” for now) and also influence other writing projects on beauty and beyond.

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What Is Deep Study?

For me, deep study is about making space for reading in multiple domains, allowing ideas to cross-pollinate. While I may do small bits of reading or note-taking for certain tasks, the bulk of my learning comes from immersing myself in a topic so thoroughly that it sparks offshoots of curiosity.

Think of it as going underground into the “root system” of an idea—once you’re down there, you notice all these hidden connections that lead to new territory.

The Five-Step System

1. Read

I never rely on just one book or one article. Instead, I’ll grab a handful of books, each representing a different angle of the subject. For instance, if I’m studying “hope,” I’ll look at its role in theology, how it’s connected to light in philosophy or literature, and even how “light” functions in science (cosmology, astrophysics, etc.).

This “interdiscipinary” approach to study is paramount for developing well-rounded ideas and thinking well on a subject as it relates to multiple fields of study and areas of life.

Having these stacks of books allows me to deepen my view far more than reading a single source.

When reading—or what some call “gathering data”—I prioritize primary over secondary sources. An example of a primary source would be Plato’s Republic; a secondary source would be a book about Plato’s Republic. C.S. Lewis warned against reading mainly secondary sources and challenged readers to return to the original. He’s right.

Reading primary sources by iconic thinkers throughout the ages is an ongoing discipline for me. I dip into primary sources all the time, allowing the concepts to wash over my imagination and shape my thinking. Works like Augustine’s Confessions, Aristotle’s Metaphysics and Poetics, and Kant’s Critique of Judgement are either on my desk open or in my canvas bag, ready for a trip to a cafe.

For you, a primary source might be something related to design, education, art, or business. What are the best original sources that everyone else quotes? Find that book and aim to know it.

Circa 2015(?), Cumnor Hill, Oxford, England. A view of my desk in the early stages of thesis research and writing. Unlike the American PhD, UK programs focus exclusively on thesis research. Think 3-4 years of reading and writing on your thesis.

2. Mark

As I read, I mark essential passages—sometimes with a simple highlight (watercolor pencils), other times with marginal notes. In academia, “marking” is another term for annotating or categorizing.

For more significant insights, I use high-quality, thick index cards to capture thoughts or quotes I know I’ll revisit. Each card becomes a mini reference that I can shuffle around and reorganize later. But most of the time, I keep the cards in the books themselves so I can pick up my train of thought when I return to it.

This might seem a little old-school, but there’s something about writing it down physically and marking the page that helps me internalize it.

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3. Write

Marking alone isn’t enough for me; I also need to write things out in longer form, either by hand in a journal or digitally in a notes app. This process can take the shape of bullet points capturing raw ideas or full paragraphs reflecting on what I’ve just learned. I leave ample white space on the page when writing in my journal so I can see my thoughts at a glance. Doing this regularly creates a personal “database” of insights I can return to whenever needed.

Writing is thinking. If you read and occasionally mark but stop there, you literally halt the formation of ideas. Writing reflections on passages forces you to synthesize what you’ve read, enabling you to explain the author’s concepts.

A brief pet peeve: When I come across writing, whether by an author of a general nonfiction book or an academic work (thesis, article, or book), I cringe at the sight of pages filled with block quotes. This signals to me that the author doesn’t fully grasp what they’re trying to communicate. I seek writing that engages with thinkers while synthesizing their ideas and presenting the author’s own thoughts on the topic.

As you write, don’t just copy quotes into your journal. Synthesize what you’re reading. Explain it back to yourself. Ask questions about it. Challenge it. This will sharpen your own thinking on the topic, and you’ll be surprised at how, by doing this, you spark new ideas and illuminate new avenues of study you want to explore. 

4. Speak

After reading, marking, and writing, the next piece of my study puzzle is speaking about what I’ve learned. That usually means talking with my wife or a close friend or colleague—and yes, sometimes even ChatGPT—about the subject I’m exploring. Verbalizing my thoughts forces me to organize them mentally, which deepens my retention and clarifies my perspective.

This is the icing on the cake for me. It’s verbal dialectics—a spirited conversation about what I’m studying. Verbalizing what I’ve studied brands the ideas to my imagination. It increases my retention by 1000%. I joke with my wife that once I talk about something, it’s locked in forever.

But it does feel that way. And don’t feel bad if your dialogue partner doesn’t want to discuss things as in-depth as you do. Sometimes, just the act of verbalizing something to my wife is enough. She doesn’t even need to respond! But she almost always does, which is fun.

AI as a New Dialogue Partner

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the need to be good stewards of the tool we call AI. Well, another way I utilize this tool is as a dialogue partner. I’ve found that using an AI tool (like ChatGPT) in my process offers another layer of reflection.

I can ask it for summaries of my notes or request alternative viewpoints, which might highlight something I overlooked. It’s not a replacement for genuine human conversation, but it does provide a quick, unbiased response that can jog my thinking in new ways.

I can ask it an unconventional question related to my studies and sometimes discover a gem or an unexamined area of philosophy, which actually happened recently! More on that soon, but it might be related to aligning C.S. Lewis’s aesthetic language with Jane Eyre. More soon! 

5. Walk

Okay, this is the bonus step. I picked it up while living in Oxford. I’d take daily walks into the countryside and reflect on everything I was reading, marking, writing, and discussing.

Early in my academic work on beauty in the writings of C.S. Lewis, I explored a perspective in his thought that few had discussed. When I spoke with my supervisor, Alister McGrath, about it, he advised me to go and "have a think." And not just for a day or a weekend.

He said, “Tim, why don’t you take the summer and have a think on it.”

So, I immersed myself in this particular thread of Lewis’s thought. That summer, I walked to reflect more deeply on the subject. Although the countryside walks were stunning, I remained focused on the practice of reflection. I let the landscape, fresh air, and ever-changing sky stimulate my imagination and liberate my mind to explore. The simple act of walking inspired me to examine my topic in new and surprising ways. 

A favorite “have a think” path on Boars Hill, Oxfordshire, near my house. Bluebells are faeries dressed as flowers.

Why Deep Work Matters

When I commit to deep study, unexpected connections emerge. For example, the concept of hope relates to light, which led me to explore the physics of light in cosmology, eventually planting ideas for my new book. 

This approach isn’t limited to academic or theological subjects—everyone can gain from thorough reading, consistent note-taking, journaling, and open discussion.

How You Can Practice Deep Study

• Start Small: Gather two or three sources on a topic that piques your interest.

• Mark as You Go: Highlight key points, take notes in the margins, or use index cards for important quotes.

• Journal or Type: Turn your notes into cohesive thoughts in a notebook or digital app.

• Talk It Out: Share your findings out loud—whether with a spouse, a friend, or even an AI chatbot.

• Walk It Through: Go for mindful walks where you intentionally reflect on one aspect of your study; allow your mind to wander while your feet explore.

By integrating these steps, you’ll retain more information and ignite creative connections that you might otherwise overlook.

Wrapping Up

Studying isn’t just about memorizing facts for a test or a single blog post; it’s a long-term investment in curiosity and creativity. I hope this glimpse into my five-step system—read, mark, write, speak, walk—motivates you to cultivate your own study habits, regardless of your field or passion.

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Thank you for reading and for being part of this journey. If you enjoyed this post, consider checking out my earlier piece on “How and Why I Read” for more tips on nurturing a consistent and rewarding reading life.

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✨Have a question or a thought about deep work and study methods? Please leave a comment below and share your favorite practices for deep study. I’d love to hear how you focus on topics you love.

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🙏 Wishing everyone a fantastic week!

Cheers,

Tim