Study Smarter, Not Harder | Kiki Fan | TEDxKerrisdaleLive

Summary

This script offers a refreshing perspective on studying, suggesting that with the right techniques, one can study better and less. It emphasizes the importance of setting a consistent study schedule, creating an organized workspace, and using ambient sounds or music to enhance focus. The speaker shares personal experiences and strategies that have reduced study time from over three hours to just one, advocating for an efficient approach to make room for more enjoyable activities.

Takeaways

• 📚 Procrastination is common when it comes to studying, but there are strategies to make it more efficient and less time-consuming.
• 🕒 Establishing a consistent study schedule can improve focus and reduce the time spent on homework.
• 🏡 Creating a dedicated and organized study space with a comfortable chair and a clean, clutter-free desk can enhance productivity.
• 🍎 Having water and healthy snacks nearby can maintain energy levels and minimize distractions from hunger.
• 🎧 Listening to ambient sounds or certain types of music can help block out distractions and improve concentration.
• 🎵 Classical music, in particular, may engage parts of the brain that aid in focus and retention.
• 👂 Personal preferences vary, so it's important to experiment with different study environments and techniques to find what works best.
• 📈 Implementing these strategies can significantly reduce the time needed for studying, leading to better time management.
• 🌟 A positive attitude towards studying and a good strategy can transform it from a chore to an opportunity for learning.
• ⏰ By being efficient with study time, there's more time available for leisure activities and personal interests.

Q & A

What is the natural reaction people often have when it's time to study?

The natural reaction is to avoid studying by finding distractions and becoming interested in other activities like tidying rooms.

Why is it beneficial to study less but more effectively?

Studying less but more effectively helps retain information better and faster, reduces test anxiety, and improves overall outlook towards studying.

What is the significance of setting aside focused time during the day for studying?

Setting aside focused time helps in being more organized, committed, and consistent, which leads to better study habits and success.

Why is it important to have a dedicated workspace for studying?

A dedicated workspace with a flat surface, suitable chair, and minimal distractions helps in doing better, quicker, and more effective work.

How can organizing the workspace improve study efficiency?

Organizing the workspace by keeping it neat and tidy with only necessary materials can save time and reduce distractions during study sessions.

What role does the choice of environment play in studying?

The choice of environment can significantly impact focus and productivity. Controlling immediate surroundings and background noise can help in concentrating better.

How can ambient sounds or music enhance the studying experience?

Ambient sounds or certain types of music, like classical, can help block out distractions, improve focus, and enhance mood, making studying more enjoyable.

What is the speaker's personal experience with studying before implementing these strategies?

Before implementing these strategies, the speaker used to spend over three hours on schoolwork, was disorganized, and got easily distracted and interrupted.

How has the implementation of these study strategies impacted the speaker's study time?

By following these strategies, the speaker has reduced the time needed to complete assignments to less than one hour, which is a significant improvement.

What is the ultimate goal of developing effective study skills according to the script?

The ultimate goal is to transform studying from a punishment to an opportunity to learn, allowing more time for enjoyable activities and a better life balance.

Why is it crucial to have the right attitude and strategy towards studying?

Having the right attitude and strategy is crucial because it can enhance learning, improve efficiency, and make studying a more positive and productive experience.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Overcoming Homework Dread and Studying Efficiently

The paragraph introduces the common struggle of avoiding homework and study time. It suggests that instead of dreading the task, there's a better way to approach studying that can lead to better learning outcomes with less time spent. The speaker shares personal experiences and the impact of effective study techniques on their academic performance and overall attitude towards studying. The importance of setting aside focused time, organizing a study schedule, and creating a conducive environment for studying is emphasized. The speaker also talks about the benefits of having a dedicated workspace, free from distractions, and the role of proper nutrition in maintaining focus during study sessions.

05:02

🎧 Enhancing Study Focus with Music and Ambient Sounds

This paragraph discusses the role of music and ambient sounds in improving focus and productivity during study sessions. The speaker shares their personal experience with an app that plays ambient sounds, which helps to block out distractions and enhance concentration. Different types of sounds, such as nature sounds, are suggested as effective tools for creating a focused study environment. The paragraph also touches on the varying preferences for studying in silence versus with music and the positive impact of certain types of music, like classical, on cognitive functions and mood. The speaker concludes by sharing their success in reducing study time through effective strategies, emphasizing the importance of these skills for lifelong benefits and the potential to enjoy more personal time as a result.

Keywords

💡Homework

Homework refers to the tasks or assignments given by teachers to students to be completed outside of regular class hours. In the video, homework is presented as a common challenge that many students face, often leading to procrastination and stress. The script suggests strategies to make homework completion more efficient and less burdensome.

💡Study Time

Study time is the period allocated for learning and reviewing academic material. The video emphasizes the importance of setting aside dedicated, focused study time to improve learning outcomes. It contrasts this with the disorganized approach where homework is done whenever time allows, leading to interruptions and poor time management.

💡Distraction

A distraction is anything that diverts attention from the primary task at hand. The script mentions how students often find distractions when it's time to study, such as tidying rooms or watching favorite shows. The video suggests creating an environment that minimizes distractions to enhance focus and productivity.

💡Effective Study Techniques

Effective study techniques are methods or strategies that help in learning and retaining information more efficiently. The video discusses the benefits of learning these techniques, which can lead to better preparation for tests and exams, and ultimately, a more confident approach to academic challenges.

💡Consistency

Consistency refers to the regular and persistent practice of a behavior or habit. In the context of the video, consistency in study habits is highlighted as a key factor in achieving academic success. By having a regular study schedule, students can develop a routine that fosters a successful learning pattern.

💡Workspace

A workspace is the physical area where someone performs work or study-related activities. The video stresses the importance of having a clean, organized workspace that is free from distractions. It suggests that a proper workspace with a flat surface and ergonomic chair can significantly improve study efficiency.

💡Ambient Sounds

Ambient sounds are soft, non-intrusive sounds that can create a background atmosphere. The video mentions using ambient sounds, such as nature sounds, to block out distractions and enhance focus. These sounds can help in creating a conducive environment for studying by providing a calming backdrop.

💡Classical Music

Classical music is a genre of art music that originated in the traditions of Western culture. The script suggests that listening to certain types of music, particularly classical, can help with concentration and memory retention. It can also improve mood, making the study session more enjoyable.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency refers to the ability to achieve a desired result with minimal wasted effort or expense. The video aims to help students become more efficient in their studying by adopting strategies that reduce the time spent on homework while maximizing learning outcomes.

💡Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is the feeling of tension and anxiety that some students experience in anticipation of an exam. The video implies that by using effective study techniques and being well-prepared, students can approach tests with more confidence, potentially reducing test anxiety.

💡Life Balance

Life balance refers to the ability to maintain a healthy equilibrium between work, study, and personal life. The video encourages students to find strategies that allow them to study more effectively so they can spend less time on academic tasks and more time enjoying other aspects of life, such as hobbies and social activities.

Highlights

Many people naturally avoid studying and seek distractions.

There's a better way to study that can improve learning efficiency and reduce study time.

Effective study techniques can prepare you for tests and reduce test anxiety.

The author's personal experience shows that these strategies improved test scores, mood, and outlook towards studying.

Setting aside focused time each day can enhance productivity.

Having a schedule helps maintain consistency and success.

Choosing the right time for focused study can be crucial for productivity.

A disorganized approach to studying can lead to late-night work and poor sleep.

Organizing your study time and informing family members can create a more conducive environment.

The physical workspace plays a significant role in how effectively you study.

A flat surface and ergonomic chair are essential for a productive workspace.

Keeping the workspace tidy helps maintain focus and prevents distractions.

Having water and healthy snacks can maintain focus and energy levels.

Controlling your immediate environment can help block out distractions.

Listening to ambient sounds or certain types of music can improve focus and retention.

Classical music can engage parts of the brain that aid attention and memory.

Implementing these strategies can significantly reduce the time spent on homework.

Developing effective study skills is beneficial for life beyond school.

By scheduling time effectively, you can spend more time on enjoyable activities.

The right attitude and strategy can transform studying from a chore to an opportunity for learning.

Transcripts

do you dread doing homework do you steer

clear when it's study time

you're definitely not alone

when it's time to sit down to do some

work we tend to roar our eyes we find

distractions and we suddenly become

really interested in tidying our rooms

it's a natural reaction

at some point every one of us who has

tried to get some work done will feel

like it's the last thing in the world

that we want to do

but what if i told you it doesn't have

to be like this

what if i told you that there is a

better way to do it that will not only

help you study better but more

importantly study less

yes study less

studying itself is a dull and boring

chore

no one wants to spend more time studying

than they need to

but what if we can create the conditions

in your body and external environment to

successfully learn and retain

information better

and faster

learning effective study techniques can

ensure that you are fully prepared for

your tests midterms and exams

because when you know what works you can

approach any project with confidence and

can crush any test anxiety

the strategies that i'm about to share

with you have improved not just my test

scores by my mood and my whole entire

outlook towards studying it has improved

my life

so i hope you will also benefit from

them

and discover which type of studying

works best for you

there are massive benefits in setting

aside some focused time during your day

i like to start my focus time at around

7 00 pm it's when i've just had my

dinner i'm done with all my after school

classes and i'm ready to settle in and

do some work

in the beginning i didn't really have a

schedule and i just did my homework

whenever i had time

but then there were always interruptions

after school activities my favorite show

and even dinner time

and every day will be different

it was quite disorganized and i ended up

not finishing some of my work on time

at times i had to stay up until really

late and of course i won't have enough

sleep

this would go on for days

unfortunately it affected my grades my

schedule and even my overall mood

nowadays i make sure i am more organized

with my time and i make sure my family

member knows that it is my study time so

they respect that time as well

the time that you choose as your focus

time is up to you of course but setting

up this appointment with yourself will

help you be more committed

consistency breeds success so organize

your caledon well pencil in your reading

time study time and yes even playtime

and stick to it

where you can study can have a massive

impact on how you study

as comfortable as it might be

laying in bed or lunging on your sofa

will not help you do better quicker and

more effective work

you need a flat surface with a suitable

height and a comfortable agronomic chair

now let's tidy it up a bit

this means no dirty plates from this

afternoon's lunch

no magazines or even books to distract

you and more importantly no mobile

devices to attempt to

have exactly what you need to get the

work done

books stationary the computer if you're

using it and here's a good suggestion

drinks and a snack

i don't know about you but i can't stay

focused when i'm hungry

so having water or juice and some

healthy snacks like nuts or fruits keeps

me satisfied for a longer time

it also keeps me from getting up often

and running the risk of being distracted

and interrupted

organizing a workspace might take an

extra five minutes at the beginning but

will save you so much time during the

process

remember clutter competes for attention

so make your space neat and tidy

very few of us have dedicated spaces in

our homes where we can shut out the

outside world and focus

most of us have shared spaces we have

siblings playing in the background mom

may be in the kitchen cooking that may

be watching the news on tv

life goes on and we can't stop that but

we can control all immediate environment

we can control what we're listening to

ever since i came across this app that

plays ambient sounds i found i can block

out all the distracting noises and

really focus on my work

i especially like to listen to the

sounds of nature the thousands drizzle

of rain the crackling sounds of a

campfire

and the soft tripping of a bird song are

all excellent ways of shutting off the

outside world and focus on the task at

hand

there are lots of good options where you

can find a huge selection of these kinds

of sounds it's worth experimenting to

figure out which ones works for you

personally

some people may find it hard to

concentrate during complete silence

some others may find it challenging to

focus while the music is on

it's just a matter of choice

but studies have shown that certain

types of music especially classical

music can engage parts of your brain

that help you pay attention and retain

information

and of course

listening to music may improve your mood

and change your whole outlook about

studying in general

so plug in your headphones disconnect

from surroundings and connect to your

focus zone

and there you have it set up a routine

organize your workspace and get in the

mood with music

small but very effective voice to get

you in the habit of being more efficient

and studying in less time

after two years ago i used to spend more

than three hours doing my schoolwork

i worked at all hours i wasn't organized

and got easily distracted and often

interrupted

but by slowly and surely following these

strategies i find that i don't need more

than one hour to complete all my

assignments

that's something i'm proud to accomplish

and would like to share with you today

but i'm not here to convince you that

every minute i spend studying is full of

fun and laughter

and that there's nothing else i'd rather

do with that time

no i'm also human and still a kid too

but we have to do it no matter what we

just have to make the best of the

situation and find ways to improve on it

so it's important that we develop these

skills because it will benefit us for

life

some of us will truly never enjoy

studying and that's okay but when you

follow these strategies and put some

work into scheduling your time to be

more effective

it means you can spend less time

studying

less time staring at a blank page and

less time worrying about the book you

haven't opened yet

and when you spend less time doing all

that it means you get to spend so much

more time doing the things that you do

enjoy

more time for friends more time for

games and laughter and more time to just

live your life

effective learning starts with the right

attitude and a good strategy

indeed it can transform studying from a

punishment to an opportunity to learn

so let's set ourselves up for success

[Music]

[Music]