This reminds me of the single best advice ever given to me about how to learn a difficult subject: Pretend that you are teaching it to an invisible audience, lesson by lesson. It is amazing how much faster you can comprehend even very complex topics this way. Preferably do this while wearing a bluetooth headset (it can be turned off) so people don't think you are crazy.
cum docemus, discimus
Ok, so it isn't particularly new advice.