COVID-19 has exposed the major failings of the world's school systems, mainly how schools are failing to prepare students to learn on their own. In this talk, China-based educator Jiang Xueqin explains how, with a learning journal, students can master the skills necessary for lifelong learning during the COVID-19 lockdown, and learn how to set precise measurable goals, how to develop personalized learning paths and strategies, and how to self-assess/self-reflect. The learning journal activity also encourages students to seek feedback from peers, teachers, and parents, and work towards a YouTube presentation as a final project. The science behind this learning journal that empowers students to hack their own brains will be explained.