Did you know that reading in ugly fonts can actually make you smarter? It sounded ridiculous when I first heard about this idea, but then after digging further I found that the science backs it up. It’s called the Desirable Difficulty Effect, and it proves that making things just a little harder to process improves learning and memory.

The idea is simple. When something is too easy to read, your brain processes it quickly and forgets it just as fast. But when reading is slightly more difficult, your brain pays more attention, making the information stick.  

In 2010, researchers at Princeton University tested this theory. They gave participants different passages to read in either a standard, easy-to-read font like Arial, or a harder-to-read font like Comic Sans, Monotype Corsiva, or Haettenschweiler. The results were clear. The people who read in ugly fonts actually retained more information than those who read in clean, familiar fonts.  

So why does this happen?

It’s because when something is harder to process, your brain works harder to make sense of it. Instead of skimming or going on autopilot, you engage more deeply. That extra mental effort leads to better memory and understanding.  

And yes, that means Comic Sans—the font everyone loves to hate—is actually a learning superpower. It forces your brain to slow down, process each word carefully, and retain more information. The same thing happens with other unusual or distorted fonts.  

So how can you use this in real life?

Here are 3 Learning Boosting hacks

1️⃣ Switch Up Your Study or Note-Taking Font

Most people default to familiar fonts like Times New Roman or Arial, which are clean and easy to read. But when your brain doesn’t have to work as hard, it processes information quickly and forgets it just as fast. By switching to a harder-to-read font like Comic Sans, Monotype Corsiva, or Haettenschweiler, you increase cognitive effort, forcing your brain to engage deeper with the material.

How to Apply This Hack Effectively:

✅ Use it for summaries or key concepts. Instead of taking all your notes in an unusual font, highlight the most important parts in a difficult-to-read style. Your brain will instinctively focus more on these sections.

✅ Switch up your digital note-taking. If you use Notion, Google Docs, or Evernote, change the font style for keywords, definitions, or key takeaways to make them stand out and stick better.

✅ Try using different colors. Not only does the font style matter, but changing colors (ex: red for key points, blue for examples) makes recall even stronger.

✅ Combine it with voice recordings. Reading difficult fonts while listening to the same information in an audio format doubles the retention power.

Best Fonts for This Hack:

🔹 Comic Sans (yes, really!)🔹 Haettenschweiler🔹 Monotype Corsiva🔹 Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts (like OpenDyslexic)🔹 Any unusual or distorted font that’s still readable

2️⃣ Use Ugly Fonts for Reminders & To-Do Lists

Why It Works:

When we see the same format every day, our brains get used to ignoring it. That’s why so many to-do lists get forgotten—our brains skim right over them because they’re not engaging enough. But if your reminders suddenly look odd, messy, or different, your brain pauses to process them, increasing the chances that you’ll actually take action.

How to Make This Work for You:

✅ Change your phone’s reminder notifications. Instead of basic text, use emoji patterns, weird symbols, or CAPTIAL LETTERS to break the monotony. Example:➡ Instead of: “Drink Water”➡ Try: “💦 DRINK WATER NOW 💦”

✅ Use bold, unconventional fonts for sticky notes. Handwrite or type your tasks in a distorted, uneven font before sticking them where you’ll see them. The slight difficulty in reading them makes them stick in your memory longer.

✅ Make your digital calendar stand out. If you use Google Calendar, change the font, add all caps, emojis, or color variations to make key tasks pop.

✅ Try the “inverted to-do list.” Instead of writing a to-do list in order, list your tasks in random spacing, bold & italic fonts, or scattered across a page—your brain will engage more because it’s forced to process the layout.

3️⃣ Write Key Information by Hand (In Messy or Unique Handwriting)

Why It Works:

Handwriting engages the brain differently than typing. When you physically write something down, your brain processes it twice—once when thinking of the words and again when forming the letters. When you add a bit of chaos (like messy, irregular handwriting), your brain pays even closer attention, leading to stronger memory recall.

How to Apply This Hack:

✅ Use multiple handwriting styles. Instead of writing everything the same way, try:

• Writing key terms in all caps
• Using cursive for quotes or important notes
• Switching between your left and right hand for difficult concepts (yes, even if you're not ambidextrous—this forces your brain to work harder!)

✅ Make flashcards intentionally harder to read. Instead of neatly written flashcards, try writing them in different handwriting styles, fonts, or sizes. The difficulty will force your brain to pay attention, leading to better recall.

✅ Draw connections with doodles & symbols. Studies show that adding simple drawings or weird symbols next to your notes makes information easier to retrieve later. Example:

• If you're memorizing "The Great Depression" in history, draw a tiny sad face 💔 next to it—your brain will attach the visual to the concept.

✅ Rewrite notes by hand before an exam or presentation. Even if you originally typed them, rewriting only the key concepts in a messy or bold handwriting style locks them in your memory.

Final Takeaways

1️⃣ Switching up fonts challenges your brain, making information more memorable.2️⃣ Using ugly fonts for reminders prevents your brain from ignoring them.3️⃣ Writing key info by hand in messy or mixed handwriting styles strengthens recall.

If you're looking for a simple, science-backed way to boost memory, try these hacks and see what works best for you!

Would you try these, or do you already do some of them? I'm old school so I'm always writing things down in visually stimulating ways. For me I've learned that my ADHD brain NEEDS this! 

 Let me know in the comments if you do any of these or gonna try them, and don't forget to share with a pal or co worker! 

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