study tips that ACTUALLY work

Summary

This video offers three effective study tips for students aiming for top grades. Active recall, which involves learning through answering questions and using past exams, is the first strategy. It counters the forgetting curve by constant practice. Second is spaced repetition, studying over increasing intervals to enhance long-term memory. Lastly, priming your mind through visualization and music to enhance focus, along with optimized breaks for better retention.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Active Recall**: Engage in active learning by answering questions and doing past exams instead of passively reading textbooks.
• 📈 **Forgetting Curve**: Combat the rapid forgetting of information by practicing it regularly.
• 🎲 **Gamify Studying**: Turn studying into a game by using flashcards and quizzes to make learning more engaging.
• 📑 **Quizlet Flashcards**: Create flashcards from class notes or lecture slides to facilitate active recall.
• 📝 **Past Paper Exams**: Use past exams as a study tool to familiarize yourself with the exam format and likely questions.
• 🤔 **Feynman Technique**: Enhance understanding by teaching the material to others or explaining it in simple terms.
• 🔁 **Spaced Repetition**: Improve long-term memory by reviewing material at increasing intervals.
• 🧠 **Optimal Benefits**: Aim for three repetitions of study materials for the best results.
• 🎵 **Priming**: Increase focus and productivity by visualizing success or listening to music that helps concentration.
• ⏰ **Optimized Breaks**: Use short naps or deep breathing exercises to maintain focus and prevent burnout.

Q & A

What are the three study tips shared in the video?

The three study tips shared in the video are active recall, spaced repetition, and priming with optimized breaks.

What is active recall and how does it help with studying?

Active recall is a study technique where you learn by answering questions and doing past paper exams instead of just reading textbooks. It is effective because it helps to combat the forgetting curve by requiring constant practice of the material.

How can you gamify your studying with active recall?

You can gamify your studying by creating Quizlet flashcards from your class notes or lecture slides, using them to answer as many questions as possible quickly, much like playing a video game.

What is the benefit of using past paper exams for studying?

Using past paper exams is beneficial because it mimics the format and structure of the actual exam, and often a significant portion of the questions or concepts will be the same.

How should you approach past paper exams when studying?

When studying with past paper exams, you should read the question, attempt to answer it without looking at the answer key, and only then check your answer or consult your notes if you cannot answer.

What is the Feynman technique mentioned in the video?

The Feynman technique is a method where you teach the information you've learned to someone else or even to an imaginary person, simplifying complex concepts into fifth-grade terms to better understand them.

How does spaced repetition work with active recall?

Spaced repetition works with active recall by studying the material over increasing intervals of time to improve long-term memory. It complements active recall by reinforcing the information at optimal intervals.

What is the recommended interval for spaced repetition?

The video suggests that the magic number for spaced repetition is three, meaning you should review the material three times with intervals that allow your brain to rest and process the information.

What is priming and how does it help with studying?

Priming is a technique to manipulate your mind to feel more focused and productive. It can be done by visualizing the importance of your studies or by listening to music that helps you relax and get into the studying mindset.

What are optimized breaks and why are they important?

Optimized breaks are short periods of rest or activity that help to maintain focus and prevent burnout during study sessions. They are important because they can improve the efficiency of your study time and prevent overexertion.

How can naps be used to enhance studying?

Naps, especially short ones of 20 to 30 minutes, can be used to enhance studying by allowing the brain to rest and process information, which can lead to better retention and understanding of the studied material.