Bad at math? 3 terrible study habits to quit NOW

Summary

This video shares practical strategies to improve math skills and develop a growth mindset. The creator explains common mistakes students make, such as passive problem-solving and neglecting fundamentals, and offers actionable fixes like explaining steps aloud, understanding every term, and breaking down complex problems. Beyond math, the video emphasizes perseverance, caring deeply about the learning process, and applying these habits to life challenges. Interwoven with personal anecdotes, including college admissions and networking experiences, it illustrates how determination, focus, and thoughtful decision-making can lead to success both academically and personally, encouraging viewers to embrace effort and consistency over shortcuts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Passive copying of math problems doesn’t build understanding; actively explain each step and reason behind it.
• 😀 Use the 'fan technique' by explaining solutions aloud or recording yourself to identify gaps in understanding.
• 😀 Fundamentals are critical; mastering basics like fractions, order of operations, and exponents prevents errors in advanced problems.
• 😀 Break down every step and term of a problem to fully understand the underlying concepts before attempting the solution.
• 😀 Persistence matters: even if stuck, write down what you know, take logical steps, and study the concepts instead of skipping to the answer key.
• 😀 Caring about your learning and showing effort is essential—shortcuts don’t replace understanding.
• 😀 Developing a growth mindset helps in math and life; don’t give up after initial failure, push for a few more minutes or steps.
• 😀 Quality practice in math is like gym workouts: consistent, mindful reps build long-term skill and confidence.
• 😀 Decision-making skills, such as prioritizing rest over social events, are important for mental health and productivity.
• 😀 Acceptance and flexibility matter: rejections or setbacks (like Harvard rejection) don’t define your potential; success is possible regardless of the outcome.
• 😀 Networking and experiential learning, such as attending events and learning by doing (case study approach), enrich personal and professional growth.

Q & A

What is the main issue students face when solving math problems according to the transcript?

Students often become passive solvers by merely replicating example problems without understanding the reasoning behind each step, which prevents them from applying concepts to new problems.

What is the suggested method to become an active math solver?

The transcript recommends stating and explaining each step while solving a problem, either out loud to someone else or by filming yourself, to identify gaps in understanding and reinforce learning.

Why are fundamentals in math so important?

Neglecting fundamentals, like order of operations or fraction division, leads to mistakes even in advanced problems. Mastery of basics ensures accuracy and understanding in more complex topics.

What are the three steps to improve 'math grit' mentioned in the video?

1) Write down everything you know about the problem, 2) Take a logical math step to move closer to a solution, 3) Study relevant concepts and try again if the first two steps fail.

How does caring about math influence learning outcomes?

Genuine care for math and understanding its fundamentals motivates consistent practice and attention, making shortcuts ineffective and improving overall problem-solving ability.

What analogy is used to describe learning math effectively?

Learning math is compared to learning to fish or knowing how to tie shoelaces: consistent, quality practice builds mastery rather than simply getting results through shortcuts.

What mindset does the transcript suggest for approaching problems in math and life?

The 'golden mindset' emphasizes perseverance, problem-solving, and not giving up too quickly, advocating for trying multiple steps and approaches before seeking solutions elsewhere.

Why does the speaker emphasize explaining each step in math problems?

Explaining steps out loud or on video forces you to articulate reasoning, uncover gaps in understanding, and strengthens comprehension beyond rote replication of examples.

What personal experiences does the speaker share to illustrate overcoming math struggles?

The speaker shares being clueless in sixth grade, then improving to score fives on AP Stats and AP Calc, and tutoring students to significantly improve ACT math scores, showing that targeted study habits can lead to mastery.

How does the speaker approach difficult life decisions, such as attending social events?

The speaker emphasizes prioritizing mental health and energy, making deliberate choices even if it means missing out on fun events, illustrating the importance of thoughtful decision-making and self-care.

What advice is given regarding applications to competitive programs like Harvard Business School?

The speaker advises not to stress excessively over acceptance, focusing instead on personal growth and effort, as success is achievable regardless of the specific program, and emphasizes preparation and networking as valuable strategies.

How does the 'fan technique' help in learning math?

The 'fan technique' involves teaching a concept to someone else, which helps identify knowledge gaps and reinforces understanding, making learning active rather than passive.