How to make studying so FUN, it almost feels like a video game...

Summary

In this engaging video, the speaker shares how they transformed their attitude toward studying, drawing parallels to video games. They explain how 'skill-based matchmaking' in video games can be applied to studying, by adjusting challenges to match your current skill level. Using a personal story, they reveal how revisiting foundational knowledge helped them improve and achieve top grades. The video emphasizes the importance of enjoying the learning process, suggesting that students can make studying addictive by mastering the basics first. Ultimately, it encourages students to revisit past material and approach learning with a growth mindset.

Takeaways

• 😀 Video games use skill-based matchmaking to ensure players face challenges appropriate to their skill level, which can be applied to studying by adjusting the difficulty of study material to match one's current knowledge.
• 😀 Traditional school systems often provide a one-size-fits-all approach, leading to frustration for students who are either too advanced or too behind in their understanding, making studying less enjoyable.
• 😀 The concept of 'ground-up studying' encourages revisiting foundational concepts that were missed or misunderstood, similar to how players in video games drop down a level to improve their skills.
• 😀 The narrator emphasizes that when the challenge of studying matches one's skill level, the process becomes more enjoyable and motivates further progress.
• 😀 The narrator reflects on their own experience in secondary school, where skipping foundational knowledge led to struggles in later years. This highlights the importance of mastering basic concepts before advancing.
• 😀 Just passing subjects isn't enough; to truly excel, students must fill in the gaps in their knowledge and revisit topics they've missed or forgotten.
• 😀 'Ground-up studying' can be likened to a video game strategy where a player, underleveled in a higher arena, drops down to a lower level to gain confidence and improve skills.
• 😀 Success in studies isn't about cramming or studying harder but revisiting and mastering previous material, which can be done more efficiently if the student already has some background knowledge.
• 😀 Applying video game logic to studying helps students understand that school can be seen as a game with levels, quests, and achievements, making the process more engaging and less intimidating.
• 😀 The narrator encourages students to start their revision from areas they feel least confident in, gradually working their way up to current-level material, similar to how players tackle games by improving in stages.

Q & A

What is the central concept of the speaker's approach to studying?

The speaker emphasizes using video game logic to make studying more engaging and fun. This includes matching the level of study difficulty to one's current skill level, similar to how video games adjust challenges based on player levels.

How does the speaker explain the importance of skill-based matchmaking in video games?

The speaker describes skill-based matchmaking in video games as a system where players are matched against opponents of similar skill levels, ensuring a challenging yet enjoyable experience. This idea is then applied to studying, where the challenge should match the student's current ability to keep them engaged.

What does the speaker mean by 'ground up studying'?

Ground up studying refers to starting with the basics or foundational concepts, even if it feels like revisiting earlier material. The idea is to fill in knowledge gaps and strengthen understanding from the ground up, similar to how video game players might lower their level to fight easier opponents.

Why does the speaker suggest revisiting older textbooks from previous years?

The speaker recommends revisiting older textbooks because they believe students may have missed key concepts or content in the past. Revisiting this material ensures a stronger foundation for more advanced topics, which can ultimately lead to better performance in current studies.

What role does 'fun' play in the speaker's approach to studying?

Fun is crucial in the speaker's approach to studying because it helps maintain motivation and engagement. When studying becomes fun, students are more likely to continue putting in effort, avoiding the demotivation that often accompanies studying when it feels too difficult or overwhelming.

How does the speaker use a video game analogy to explain struggling students?

The speaker compares struggling students to players in a video game who are in too high of a level or arena, leading to frustration. The solution is to lower the challenge to match their current skill level, allowing them to succeed and gradually build confidence, just like players leveling up in a game.

What mistake does the speaker say they made in secondary school, and how did they overcome it?

The speaker admits they made the mistake of only aiming to 'pass' in earlier years of their education, which resulted in a shaky foundation. They overcame this by revisiting foundational material from earlier years, filling in the gaps, and gradually building up their knowledge and skills.

How does the speaker relate school to video games?

The speaker likens school to a video game, where each year is like a level, and each subject is a quest. Exams are the 'big bosses,' and grades are the achievements or rankings earned. The key is not just passing but striving to do as well as possible in each 'level' of school.

What is the key takeaway the speaker offers for students struggling in their studies?

The key takeaway is to humble oneself, revisit earlier material, and fill in any gaps in knowledge. This process will not take as long as expected since the material has already been encountered before, and it can help set students apart from their peers who are not willing to put in the effort.

What is the 'speedrun' analogy the speaker uses, and what does it signify?

The 'speedrun' analogy refers to revisiting past material quickly and efficiently, like completing a video game in the shortest time possible. It signifies the idea of not starting from scratch but rather revisiting what’s already been learned to fill in gaps and improve without wasting unnecessary time.