How to Get Smarter

Adopt a Lifelong Learning Mindset. It’s often assumed that intelligence is innate and cannot be improved through effort. However, modern evidence suggests otherwise; while someone less intelligent may never become a genius, it appears that anyone can enhance their intellect to some degree. That said, this process isn’t as simple as learning a few new words. It requires time and effort to learn how to process the world around you more deeply and thoughtfully.

Pursue your passions. People often learn most effectively when they are passionate about the subject they are studying. When you are fascinated by something, you are eager to delve deeper; such focused and continuous exploration can help enhance your intelligence. Truly intelligent individuals possess deep knowledge in a few areas rather than superficial understanding across many. Was Albert Einstein a genius in all fields of physics, anthropology, linguistics, geology, animal behavior, and literary criticism? Of course not. A jack-of-all-trades is often a master of none; if you try to learn a little about everything, you might end up knowing nothing at all!

Challenge yourself. Without struggle, you cannot push yourself to grow. Learning is not a form of torture meant to cause suffering. Learning should be a reward that you cannot achieve without effort. Push yourself to master new ideas and venture into unfamiliar areas of knowledge.

Think about how you think. This concept is called "metacognition," and intelligent people often excel in this area. Metacognition allows you to understand what you have learned and apply it to different contexts. For example, if you find that you learn best on your own, avoid group study sessions when preparing for final exams.

Take care of your body. Sometimes people forget that the brain is an organ like any other in the body. Just as your skin becomes healthier when you soak in a bath and your lungs become healthier when you avoid smoking, a well-cared-for brain performs better than one that is neglected. You might be surprised to learn that information processing becomes much more efficient when you get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Learn a foreign language. This activity forces your brain to adopt new ways of constructing meaning, enhancing both conscious understanding and intuition about language systems. Engaging more deeply with linguistic thinking will also benefit your native language skills, and the process of learning new words will improve your memory.

Learn to play a musical instrument. This activity trains areas of the brain involved in cognitive processing and provides new ways of receiving and conveying information. It also enhances memory and reduces stress, a major hindrance to brain development.

Stay updated with the news. While keeping up with current events may not directly boost intellectual capacity, a genuinely intelligent and curious person seeks to understand the world they live in. New ideas often build on existing ones, so it’s wise to be well-informed about global issues and how people are addressing them. Remember, all information sources have some bias; ensure you consult multiple sources and never accept anything as absolute truth just because it’s published.

Reduce reliance on technology. In today’s world, easy access to information makes life more convenient but can also make us less capable. The neural pathways in the brains of Millennials may be weaker than those of their parents in tasks like reading maps. This is because younger generations heavily depend on GPS devices, while older generations rely on physical maps when lost. Similarly, instead of recalling the meaning of a word, people often turn to Google immediately. Rather than strengthening memory, they retrieve information effortlessly. Try to rely less on your phone and engage your brain more.

Keep an open mind. Don’t dismiss new ideas because they are scary, confusing, or threaten your familiar worldview—this natural hesitation, known as "cognitive dissonance," occurs when people try to hold two opposing views. Be open to changing your perspective. The ability to admit when you’re wrong is a sign of a great mind.

Don’t fear being seen as foolish. Curiosity doesn’t equate to ignorance; truly intelligent people constantly ask questions because they know they can’t know everything. When learning a new skill, it’s natural to not excel immediately. With enough practice, you’ll improve over time. Embrace gaps in your knowledge as gateways to discovery and growth.

Use sophisticated vocabulary. Selecting a few new words doesn’t require genius, but impressive words and grammatically precise expressions can make you seem more intelligent. Download language-learning apps or use flashcards. Identify common grammatical errors you make and correct them. You can even find meaningful literary quotes to weave into conversations for added depth. Remember, impressive words only make an impact when used correctly—you won’t score points for saying “populist” without understanding its meaning or pronouncing it properly.

Be humble and discreet. Just as someone constantly claiming they’re not racist raises suspicions, trying too hard to appear smart can backfire. Instead, being reserved and modest might lead others to assume you’re deeply thoughtful. For example, when someone makes a foolish comment in a group conversation, jumping in to mock them might make you seem petty rather than clever. Let others do the work—pause for a few seconds, let the comment settle, and when the awkwardness peaks, smoothly continue the conversation. This creates the impression that you chose to ignore the remark to spare the speaker embarrassment.

Present yourself confidently. People often assume that well-dressed, articulate individuals are smarter than those who appear disheveled and mumble. Consider wearing glasses—it might sound silly, but when aiming to appear intelligent, “four eyes” can work better than two.

Use middle initials. This might seem absurd, but evidence suggests that writing your name as Phan T. T. Huong instead of Phan Thi Thanh Huong can make you appear smarter. To leverage this effect, simply add an extra initial before your name—yes, it seems to work.