Superlearning 2000 by Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder – Review

Introduction: Superlearning 2000 by Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder

First published in 1994, Superlearning 2000 by Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder is the kind of book that you read through once and then use as a reference guide.

It is not the kind of book that you can read in one sitting because you will suffer from information overload, and it’s doubtful that you will remember the most important pieces of information.

What is Superlearning 2000 About?

The book is chock full of techniques, tools and resources to assist the reader in learning faster, remembering more of what they read, and optimizing their brain capacity by using both sides of their brain.

Over a century ago, William James, an American philosopher and psychologist, who had trained as a physician, calculated that each of us uses approximately five percent of our innate ability.

You have to choose a few techniques that you think you will actually try because it is highly unlikely that you can try them all.

Related Post: Speed Reading Method – PhotoReading by Paul Scheele

UPDATE: First published in November 2012

Content of Superlearning 2000

Superlearning systems are designed to draw out a wealth of innate talent from the vast store of knowledge that you already possess. Superlearning 2000 by Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder is divided into four sections: 

1. Section One: How Far Can You Reach? How Fast Can You Go
2. Section Two: How-To Handbook of Superlearning
3. Section Three: Exercises
4. Section Four: Resources, Bibliography and Index 

The name of the first section is not really intuitive, but the section defines superlearning, introduces superlearning methods, and documents many studies on superlearning to support what Ostrander and Schroeder are saying. And in many instances, the authors have tried the techniques, tools and resources that they write about.

Although, it is tiresome to wade through the information in Section One, it’s necessary because we have to understand the fundamentals of superlearning then build on it. 

What to Expect from Reading Superlearning 2000

As you are reading the book, make note of the techniques and tools that you are interested in trying because in the Resources section of the book you will find information on where you can purchase them. Because the book is dated, you will not find any website information for any of the companies mentioned, and contact information may no longer be valid. Do not let this deter you, because if you conduct a quick search on the internet, you will find what you are looking for. 

Music and Learning

According to Ostrander and Schroeder,

“The revolutionary discovery that music is one key to the kind of fast, stress-free learning so needed today was originally made by scientists in the former Soviet bloc. They discovered that a certain music written by composers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Baroque composers such as Vivaldi, Telemann, and Bach, has powerful effects on the mind and memory. These old masters created music according to very specific formulas handed down through music guilds since ancient times.” 

Baroque music helps to accelerate learning. And Superlearning 2000 also says, “Music scored for string instruments rich in harmonic overtones produced superior results….Music with a beat of 60 to 64 per minute gave the best results and helped memory improve globally.” Although the book recommends many CDs that fit that description, I sent an email to my friend David Fallis who is versed in that type to music to discover appropriate baroque music CDs to purchase. David recommended Tafelmusik’s recording of the Bach Brandenburg Concertos, or Handel Concerto grossi. 

The Best Section in Superlearning 2000

In my opinion, the best section of the book is the How-To section, which is a goldmine of useful information. You will discover techniques to learn and master languages, the sciences and math, how to manage many learning disabilities, and you will even learn stress busting techniques which is critical in today’s world. And the best part is that the authors provide clear instructions for readers to follow. 

Conclusion: Superlearning 2000 by Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder

 Superlearning 2000: New Triple Fast Ways You Can Learn, Earn, and Succeed in the 21st Century

I recommend Superlearning 2000 by Sheila Ostrander and Lynn Schroeder, but before you decide to invest in any tools and resources, do your own research for updates to those products.

For instance, I was interested in some meditation CDs to help me engage both my right and left brains. I purchased a Holosync CD from Ceterpointe, which uses the underlying methodology outlined in Superlearning 2000, but they have built on the technique using advances in technology.

And it's always important to find different ways of getting to the same outcome, so that you give yourself options.

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Further Reading 

How To Read A Book: The Classic Guide To Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J. Adler & Charles Van Doren
How to Be Twice as Smart: Boosting Your Brainpower and Unleashing the Miracles of Your Mind, Scott Witt
Do You Speed Read?
How to Read Novels to Get Ideas
Summer: The Time for Reading, and a Look at How to Read a Book