how to ALWAYS get straight A's WITHOUT BURNING OUT (study + time management tips)

Summary

In this educational video, the speaker, Tonia, shares her personal strategies for academic success without burning out. Drawing from her high school and university experiences, she offers 18 actionable tips, such as finding a productive environment, practicing active recall, and setting reasonable goals. Tonia emphasizes the importance of understanding what is assessed, utilizing available resources, and maintaining a proper mindset. She reminds viewers that grades are not worth sacrificing mental health and encourages balancing academic pursuits with enjoying life.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Find your productive environment to avoid associating your bed with work and to increase focus.
• 📝 Avoid copying notes during lectures; instead, listen actively and ask questions, then review provided materials later.
• 🔁 Practice active recall by using flashcards or quizzes rather than just rewriting or rereading notes.
• 🚫 Identify and skip non-essential classes if they do not contribute to learning or if materials are available afterward.
• 📚 Determine exactly what you'll be assessed on and focus your study efforts on those topics.
• 📝 If provided, use the rubric to understand how to excel in assignments and exams.
• 💤 Embrace napping as a way to rejuvenate and increase productivity, but ensure it aligns with your sleep cycle.
• ❓ Don't be afraid to ask questions in class to clarify doubts and understand assessment criteria.
• 🌐 Utilize outside resources like online tutorials, classmates, and mentors to supplement learning.
• 🎯 Set reasonable academic goals that align with your capabilities and commitments to avoid burnout.
• 🕒 Develop a time management strategy that works for you, such as the 'Eat the Frog' technique or time blocking.

Q & A

What was the speaker's academic performance like in high school?

The speaker maintained an average between 92% and 95% every year, taking heavier courses like maths and sciences, and graduated with 36 credits, with 95% of their grades in the '90s.

What is the speaker's academic standing in university?

The speaker is in their second year of university, was in the top 10% of their program last year, and was placed on the Dean's List.

Why does the speaker advise against copying notes during lectures?

The speaker believes it's more valuable to be completely present during the lecture and listen to the professor, as lecture slides are often provided afterwards, allowing for more focused note-taking without missing the live teaching.

What is the speaker's opinion on rewriting or rereading notes?

The speaker suggests that while rereading notes is important for initial understanding, practicing active recall through methods like flashcards or quizzes is more effective for learning and retaining information.

Why might the speaker skip certain university classes?

The speaker may skip classes if they find the professor unhelpful or if the class provides lecture slides that cover the same content as the lecture, allowing for more efficient use of their time.

What does the speaker suggest for understanding what will be assessed in class?

The speaker recommends paying attention to what the professor emphasizes as important and making notes of what doesn't need to be memorized, as well as using rubrics to understand how to excel in assignments.

Why does the speaker advocate for taking naps?

The speaker finds that taking full sleep cycle naps, around an hour and a half, rejuvenates them and makes them more productive, which in turn saves time that would otherwise be wasted while working tired.

What is the speaker's view on using outside resources for learning?

The speaker encourages using outside resources such as YouTube tutorials, websites, classmates, upper-year mentors, or other teachers and professors to supplement learning, especially if the current instructor is not effective.

Why is it important to set reasonable goals according to the speaker?

Setting reasonable goals is important to avoid burnout and maintain a balanced life. The speaker emphasizes that unattainable goals can lead to unnecessary stress and a distorted sense of self-worth.

What time management strategies does the speaker mention?

The speaker mentions several strategies including 'Eat the Frog' which involves tackling the most daunting task first, time blocking with Pomodoro technique, and the Eisenhower Priority Matrix for organizing tasks by priority.

How does the speaker suggest making studying more enjoyable?

The speaker suggests making studying fun by creating a pleasant environment with ambient lighting or studying in a park, using Quizlet for flashcard creation, and playing educational games with friends.

What is the speaker's advice on focusing study time?

The speaker advises to focus more time on the subjects or tests that one is not good at, as it is important to balance out performance across all areas rather than just focusing on strengths.

Why is it important to stay on top of due dates according to the speaker?

Staying on top of due dates helps in planning ahead, reducing stress, and avoiding last-minute rushes. The speaker suggests using tools like Google Calendars or physical agendas to keep track of all assignments and deadlines.

What does the speaker suggest for improving performance in assessments?

The speaker suggests doing constant self-assessments by reflecting on feedback from previous assessments and improving in the next assignments or tests based on identified weaknesses.

What is the speaker's final advice regarding mindset?

The speaker advises having the right mindset by challenging negative self-perceptions and using positive affirmations to improve self-belief and performance in academics and life.

What reminder does the speaker give about the importance of mental health over grades?

The speaker reminds viewers that grades are not worth sacrificing mental health and that the future is not guaranteed, so it's important to enjoy the present and maintain a balance between academics and personal life.