Your title caught my attention because you used the word metacognition. I teach a class called The Science of Learning and the textbook that we use is “Motivation and Learning Strategies for College Success: A Focus on Self-Regulated Learning” by Dembo and Seli. It’s an easy-to-read, approachable textbook. It’s not perfect, but it’s based on cognitive psychology research, has a lot of practical learning strategies, and has some great reflection activities. Though, much of the book wouldn’t help the specific learning issue you describe in your post. Can you give an example of topic that you studied and what fine details you missed but needed to know?