Scientifically Proven Best Ways to Study

Summary

This script reveals scientifically proven methods for effective studying, debunking the myth of long, grueling study sessions. It emphasizes the benefits of exercise for brain performance, the importance of avoiding cramming, and the value of varied study techniques like self-testing and social learning. Sleep is highlighted as essential for memory consolidation, and the script suggests incorporating breaks, light music, and power poses to enhance learning and reduce stress before exams.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Exercise boosts brain performance by altering blood chemistry and releasing mood-enhancing hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
• 📚 Avoiding cramming is crucial; information needs to be transformed from short-term memory to long-term knowledge through repeated exposure and reflection.
• 🤓 Varying study methods is more effective than simply rereading material; self-testing and discussing with peers can improve retention.
• 🧐 A 2010 study from Washington University showed that repeated testing is more beneficial than repeated studying for information retention.
• 💤 Sleep is essential for brain development and the consolidation of new information and knowledge.
• 🛌 Incorporating naps into your study schedule can provide additional benefits by increasing alpha brain wave activity, which is ideal for learning.
• 🚫 All-night study sessions are counterproductive due to the negative impact on information processing and the need for rest.
• ⏰ Taking regular breaks and engaging in physical activity can enhance focus and prevent burnout during study sessions.
• 🎵 Listening to certain types of non-distracting music, such as classical, may improve mood and aid in information retention.
• 💪 Striking a power pose before an exam can reduce cortisol levels and increase testosterone, potentially improving confidence and performance.
• 🗣️ Discussing study material with peers not only fosters a social learning environment but also helps identify knowledge gaps.

Q & A

What is the traditional belief about maximizing study time before an exam?

The traditional belief is that long hours spent in front of a computer or in the library before an important exam are required to maximize study time.

What does scientific research suggest about the effectiveness of long study hours?

Scientific research has shown that long study hours are not the most effective way to study and that smart studying can be more fun and efficient.

How does exercise improve brain performance for studying?

Exercise changes blood chemistry, which in turn enhances brain performance by improving attention span, information processing, and problem-solving skills through the release of mood-altering hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.

Why should exercise be considered between study sessions?

Exercise helps to break up study sessions and is crucial to avoiding cramming, which is a scientifically disproven method. It also enhances brain performance required for study and information retention.

What is the problem with cramming information?

Cramming is problematic because overloaded information does not have a chance to enter long-term memory, and the transformation from short-term information to long-term knowledge requires repeated exposure, retelling, and reflection.

What does a 2010 study from Washington University suggest about the effectiveness of testing versus rereading?

The study suggests that repeated testing is far more effective than simply rereading for learning and retaining information.

Why is it beneficial to find a study partner and test each other?

Studying with a partner and testing each other helps identify information gaps, encourages discussion, and enhances the learning process through social interaction.

How does sleep contribute to brain development and the learning process?

Sleep is crucial for brain development as it helps brain cells grow new connections and consolidates the information acquired during the day, acting like a 'miracle grow' for the brain.

What is the recommended study routine according to the script?

A good study routine should include exercise, short intense study sessions, social learning, a good night's sleep, and possibly an afternoon nap for optimal learning.

How can music potentially enhance the learning process?

Playing certain types of music, such as classical without lyrics, may help students engage with the study material by improving mood and increasing the chances of information retention.

What is the suggested power pose before entering the exam room, and what are its benefits?

The power pose involves standing like Superman or Wonder Woman with hands on hips, legs apart, chest expanded, and taking a deep breath. It can reduce stress hormone cortisol and increase testosterone, making the individual feel stronger and better prepared for the test.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Scientifically Proven Study Techniques

This paragraph introduces the concept that traditional long study hours may not be the most effective way to prepare for exams. It highlights the importance of exercise in improving brain performance, which in turn enhances attention span, information processing, and problem-solving skills. The release of mood-altering hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine during exercise is emphasized as a key factor in enhancing brain function. The paragraph also touches on the ineffectiveness of cramming and the necessity of transforming short-term memory into long-term knowledge through repeated exposure, retelling, and reflection. Varying study methods, such as using testing instead of rereading, is suggested as a more effective strategy.

05:01

💪 Boosting Study Performance with Lifestyle

The second paragraph focuses on additional strategies to optimize study performance, including the importance of sleep for brain development and the consolidation of new information. It suggests incorporating exercise, short study sessions, and social learning into a study routine, as well as the potential benefits of a power nap. The paragraph also discusses the negative impact of all-night study sessions on the brain's ability to process information. It mentions the role of dopamine in active learning and the potential benefits of listening to certain types of music, such as classical, to improve mood and retention. The benefits of adopting a power pose to reduce stress and increase confidence before an exam are also highlighted, along with a call to action for viewers to share their own effective study methods in the comments section.

Keywords

💡Study Techniques

Study techniques refer to the methods and strategies employed to enhance learning and retention of information. In the video's context, it emphasizes the ineffectiveness of traditional long-hour studying and instead promotes smarter, scientifically-backed approaches like exercise, varied study programs, and self-testing. The script mentions that 'smart studying is a lot more fun than we might have thought,' illustrating the shift from passive to active learning.

💡Exercise

Exercise is highlighted in the script as an unlikely but effective study aid. It is defined as physical activity that helps improve blood chemistry, which in turn enhances brain performance. The script explains that exercise releases hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which are beneficial for attention span, information processing, and problem-solving skills. An example from the script is the suggestion to 'hit the gym, swimming some laps, kicking a ball around, or even dancing a few steps' to improve brain power.

💡Cramming

Cramming is a study method where one tries to learn a lot of information in a short period, typically before an exam. The script points out that cramming is scientifically disproven because it does not allow information to transition from short-term memory to long-term memory. The video suggests that 'overloaded information does not have a chance to enter the long term memory' when cramming, advocating for spaced repetition and reflection instead.

💡Short-Term Memory

Short-term memory is the cognitive capacity to hold a small amount of information temporarily. The script describes it as a 'free crazy space within your brain' where information is briefly stored but not yet transformed into knowledge. The video emphasizes the importance of moving information from short-term memory to long-term knowledge through repeated exposure and reflection.

💡Long-Term Memory

Long-term memory is the ability to retain information over a long period. The script discusses the process of turning short-term information into long-term knowledge, which is crucial for effective studying. It suggests that 'the transformation from short term information into long term knowledge occurs through repeated exposure to that information, retelling of that information, and reflection of that information.'

💡Repeated Testing

Repeated testing is a study technique where one tests their knowledge on a subject multiple times to reinforce learning. The script cites a 2010 study from Washington University that found testing to be more effective than rereading. It is related to the video's theme by advocating for self-testing or finding a study partner to 'test one another, compare your results, talk about them, and continue your study program.'

💡Sleep

Sleep is essential for cognitive functions, including learning and memory consolidation. The script explains that 'sleep is crucial to brain development' and helps in the growth and connection of brain cells, likening sleep to 'the miracle grow' for the brain. It also warns against all-night study sessions, which can hinder information processing due to restlessness and information overload.

💡Alpha Brain Waves

Alpha brain waves are associated with a relaxed, yet alert state of mind and are most active during the first few hours of being awake. The script mentions that this brain state is 'most suited to the acquisition of information and knowledge.' It also suggests that a good study program should include sleep to take advantage of these brain waves for effective learning.

💡Social Learning

Social learning involves learning in a social context, often through collaboration or discussion with others. The script encourages finding a study partner and using testing and discussion as part of the study program. It emphasizes the importance of not studying alone and using social interaction to identify information gaps and enhance understanding.

💡Classical Music

Classical music is suggested in the script as a potential aid to studying, with researchers at Stanford School of Medicine agreeing that it may help students engage with the study material. The script notes that 'playing certain types of music such as classical may help students,' especially non-distracting music without lyrics, which can improve mood and increase the chances of information retention.

💡Power Pose

A power pose is a confident body posture that can influence one's psychological state. The script describes the benefits of striking a power pose before an exam, such as reducing cortisol and increasing testosterone, which can make one feel stronger and better prepared. Examples given in the script include 'put your hands on your hips, move your legs apart, chest expanded,' and taking a deep breath to invoke a sense of awe.

Highlights

Traditional long hours of studying are not the most effective way to maximize study time.

Smart studying is more enjoyable than previously thought.

Exercise improves blood chemistry and brain performance, aiding in attention, information processing, and problem-solving.

Exercise releases mood-enhancing hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which benefit study and memory retention.

Avoid cramming; it prevents information from entering long-term memory.

Transform short-term information into long-term knowledge through repeated exposure, retelling, and reflection.

Vary your study methods; don't just reread material repeatedly.

A 2010 study found that repeated testing is more effective than rereading for learning.

Engage in social learning with a study partner to identify information gaps.

Adequate sleep is crucial for brain development and the acquisition of new information.

Daytime naps can provide two bursts of alpha brain waves, enhancing study effectiveness.

Sleep aids in the growth and connection of brain cells, making it essential for learning.

All-night study sessions are counterproductive due to information overload and restlessness.

Take regular breaks and engage in physical activity to maintain focus and information processing.

Playing certain types of music, like classical, may help with engagement and information retention.

Dopamine acts as the brain's 'save button,' making the brain more receptive to stimuli during reward mode.

Striking a power pose before an exam can reduce stress and increase confidence.

Combine breaks, sleep, exercise, social learning, and power poses for optimal test preparation.

Transcripts

For those of us in school who are trying to figure out the most effective way to study,

science is here on hand to help.

While it has been traditionally thought by many of us over the years that long hours

in front of the computer or in the library, before an important exam, are required to

maximize study time, this is actually not the case.

So forget about long nights, with eyelids drooping over pages and pages of text, scientific

research has expressed quite clearly that that isn’t the way to study smart.

And it turns out smart studying is a lot more fun than we might have thought.

So just what cool techniques work best to maximize those precious days before the big

exam?

That’s what we’ll find out, in this episode of The Infographics Show, Scientifically Proven

Best Ways to Study.

First of all, an unlikely helper is exercise.

Blood chemistry has been proven to change the way the brain works, as the brain, the

happy recipient of vital nutrients through exercise, repays the favor by increasing brain

performance in the shape of a better and longer attention span, smoother information processing,

and more fluid problem solving skills.

How does this work?

Well, exercise releases an important blend of mood altering hormones including dopamine,

serotonin and norepinephrine.

This neural cocktail greatly enhances brain performance required for study and information

retention, so in between study sessions, we should seriously consider hitting the gym,

swimming some laps, kicking a ball around, or even dancing a few steps because any kind

of exercise greatly improves brain power.

These exercise sessions also help to break up the study sessions, which is crucial to

avoiding cramming, a scientifically disproven method.

The problem with cramming is that overloaded information does not have a chance to enter

the long term memory.

Short-term memory is the free crazy space within your brain – information rattles

around inside there but what we need to do is turn that information into knowledge.

And that doesn’t happen by cramming.

The transformation from short term information into long term knowledge occurs through repeated

exposure to that information, retelling of that information, and reflection of that information.

So if you learn about a topic, put down the book, and then hit the gym and reflect up

on it, or talk to somebody else who has knowledge on the subject, and then you are far more

likely to retain that short term information and turn it into long term knowledge.

You must also vary your study program.

Smart study isn’t about just reading the material over and over and over again, ad

nauseam.

Although this may seem like the easiest way, it is totally counterproductive.

A 2010 study from Washington University compared the effectiveness of repeated testing over

repeated studying and found that testing is far more effective than simply rereading.

So in between short exercise and study sessions, why not test yourself now and again?

Or better still find a study partner who is tackling the same subject and test one another,

compare your results, talk about them, and continue your study program, in between exercising.

There is no reason you should study completely alone, and without adequate testing, you will

fail to see where the real information gaps are.

Finally, get as much sleep as you can, because sleep is crucial to brain development.

When awake for the first few hours in the day, our alpha brain waves are most active,

which is the brain state most suited to the acquisition of information and knowledge.

A good study program should not only include exercise, short intense study sessions, and

social learning, it should also include a good night’s sleep and perhaps, if your

day allows it, a cheeky power nap in the afternoon.

A nap in the day time will give you two bursts of alpha brain waves for one day’s study.

And the benefit of sleep doesn’t end there.

When you acquire information, brain cells grow new connections that reach out and connect

with one another.

Sleep helps these cells grow and connect, so if we think of our brain as a tree, sleep

is like the miracle grow, and while we sleep, all the tiny branches will grow and flourish.

Conversely, all night study sessions do not work, as our ability to process information

is hindered by our restlessness, and the information overload is simply overbearing.

Scientific research has shown that it can take up to 4 days for our brains to return

back to normal after we’ve been awake for an entire night.

We should take breaks every hour and not work straight through.

Study for an hour, do some exercise, speak to a study friend, and return to the source

material.

While some experts might argue, researchers at Stanford School of Medicine agree that

playing certain types of music such as classical may help students engage in the source material.

While some of us prefer complete silence, an uplifting piece of non-distracting music

(without lyrics) may improve mood and increase the chances of information retention.

In active learning studies, some scholars have suggested that dopamine is the brain’s

save button, so some light, uplifting music, a favorite warm drink, and a box of cookies

could also help us retain knowledge, as the brain, while in its reward mode, is more receptive

to whatever stimuli is present, including that study material.

Also science has shown us that, as ridiculous as it may seem, striking a power pose before

entering the exam room may be to our benefit.

So think Superman or Wonder Woman – put your hands on your hips, move your legs apart,

chest expanded, deep breath, and say something awe-inspiring.

You may want to do this in private, like in the bathroom before a test, but this is completely

your own choice.

Although you may feel stupid, and will probably look a bit odd, this posturing will reduce

the stress hormone cortisol and increase testosterone, making you scientifically stronger and better

prepared for that test.

So remember take breaks, sleep, exercise, talk about your material with study pals,

strike a pose, and you’ll be as good as ready for that test.

Are there other tried and true methods that we failed to mention?

Let us know in the comments!

Also, be sure to check out our other video called Private Schools vs Public Schools.

Thanks for watching, and, as always, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe.

See you next time!