BEST Study Routine that made me a TOP ACHIEVER (in HALF the time)

Summary

This video shares a foolproof study routine that transformed the speaker's academic life, leading to success in medical school and a dream job in London. The routine emphasizes pre-class preparation, active learning during lectures with real-time flashcard creation, and daily Anki reviews. It also discusses the importance of exam preparation, studying efficiently, and reflecting on performance to improve future results.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Pre-Class Preparation**: Before attending a class, review available lecture slides or conduct brief research on the topic to identify areas of difficulty.
• 🧠 **Active Learning**: Engage in active learning during lectures by creating flashcards in real-time to enhance retention and focus.
• 🔄 **Spaced Repetition**: Utilize spaced repetition with tools like Anki to review material effectively, gradually increasing the time between reviews.
• ⏰ **Time Management**: Allocate specific times for studying and avoid cramming by distributing study sessions throughout the week.
• 📈 **Ego Check**: Embrace mistakes during practice as learning opportunities rather than failures, which is crucial for improvement.
• 📉 **Post-Class Review**: After class, review missed slides and practice questions to reinforce learning and fill knowledge gaps.
• 📊 **Performance Analysis**: Reflect on exam results and school feedback to identify weak areas and adjust study strategies accordingly.
• 🌱 **Consistency Over Intensity**: Maintain a consistent study routine rather than intense, sporadic cramming sessions for better knowledge retention.
• 🌙 **Rest and Recovery**: Prioritize sleep and different forms of rest to support memory consolidation and prevent burnout.
• 🤝 **Collaborative Learning**: Learn from peers by sharing study techniques, resources, and helping each other with challenging topics.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial situation before developing her study routine?

The speaker was failing her exams, considering giving up on her dreams of going to medical school, and had very low self-esteem.

What is the main benefit the speaker claims about her study routine?

The speaker claims that her study routine allowed her to thrive at Medical School, get her dream job as a doctor in London, and do all of this while spending as little time as possible studying.

What is the significance of the 'wet tissue' analogy mentioned in the script?

The 'wet tissue' analogy is used to illustrate the concept of how easily some knowledge sticks in our brains versus other knowledge that requires more effort to understand.

What are the three simple steps recommended for pre-class preparation according to the speaker?

The three steps are: 1) Download the lecture slides or lesson material if available, 2) Briefly review the material or do a bit of research if the material isn't available, and 3) Go through practice questions on that topic.

Why is it important to do practice questions before attending a class according to the speaker?

Doing practice questions before a class helps identify topics that are not easily understood, which allows for focused attention during the class and possibly asking for help on those topics.

What is the role of Anki in the speaker's study routine?

Anki is used for creating flashcards in real-time during lectures, which helps incorporate active recall and spaced repetition into the study routine, enhancing memory retention.

What is the 'traffic light system' mentioned by the speaker?

The 'traffic light system' is a method to quickly assess whether information is easily remembered (green), needs a refresher (yellow), or is completely new (red), to decide what to make flashcards on.

Why is it recommended to review flashcards on the same day as the lecture according to the script?

Reviewing flashcards on the same day helps prevent the rapid loss of new information as suggested by the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve, which states that 50% of new information is lost within one day.

How does the speaker adjust her study routine during exam season?

During exam season, the speaker increases her study hours, alternating between practice questions and Anki reviews, and includes troubleshooting sessions for topics she struggles with.

What are the four things the speaker suggests reflecting on after an exam?

The four reflections are: 1) School breakdown or questions and answers, 2) The amount of time spent studying and its effectiveness, 3) Whether performance aligned with personal goals, and 4) Learning from others who did well.

What is the importance of reflecting on who you can learn from after an exam according to the speaker?

Reflecting on who did well and why can provide insights into effective study techniques and resources, fostering a collaborative learning environment and potentially improving future performance.