reading 10 BOOKS in 4 DAYS - Oxford Uni life.

Summary

In this engaging video, V, a final-year classical archaeology and ancient history student at Oxford, shares her effective reading strategies to tackle a heavy academic workload. She emphasizes the importance of understanding essay questions, utilizing a unique note-taking technique, and skimming relevant readings to grasp essential information quickly. V's approach combines creativity with practical methods, allowing viewers to efficiently manage their studies while highlighting the realities of university life. Her excitement about reaching 40,000 subscribers and her gratitude for viewer support add a personal touch, encouraging others to embrace their academic journeys.

Takeaways

• 😀 Understand the essay question thoroughly by circling and highlighting key components.
• 📚 Use a reading list provided by tutors, marking essential readings with a star.
• 📝 Rewrite the essay question on a separate sheet to brainstorm initial thoughts and ideas.
• 🔍 Define critical terms in the essay question, such as 'women' and 'literary genres,' for clarity.
• 🖍️ Employ a color-coding note-taking system: red for primary sources, purple for personal insights, and black for secondary sources.
• 📖 Skim read relevant chapters by focusing on introductions, conclusions, and specified page numbers.
• 🌐 Use online summaries to quickly grasp content for unfamiliar texts on the reading list.
• ⌛ Prioritize efficient reading by concentrating on essential information instead of trying to read every page.
• 📊 Organize thoughts to streamline the essay writing process and avoid confusion.
• 💪 Embrace a proactive mindset, trusting your own judgment and insights while studying.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video focuses on study techniques for efficiently reading multiple academic texts, specifically tailored for university students.

Who is the speaker, and what do they study?

The speaker is a final-year student named V, studying classical archaeology and ancient history at the University of Oxford.

How does the speaker suggest students approach essay questions?

The speaker recommends circling the essay question and highlighting important parts to ensure a clear understanding of what is being asked.

What is the 'red, purple, and black technique' mentioned in the video?

This note-taking method involves using red for direct quotes from primary sources, purple for personal reflections and thoughts, and black for secondary sources and scholarly opinions.

Why is it important for the speaker to trust their own thoughts?

The speaker emphasizes the need to trust their own judgment and creativity, as they believe this is often stifled in university settings.

What strategy does the speaker recommend for reading large volumes of texts?

The speaker suggests skimming chapters, focusing on introductions and conclusions, and using online summaries for texts that are less critical.

How does the speaker handle reading materials that are not fully understood?

When encountering difficult materials, the speaker advises Googling summaries to grasp the key concepts without reading everything in detail.

What is the significance of the highlighted reading list provided by tutors?

The highlighted reading list indicates which texts are essential for that week, allowing students to prioritize their reading effectively.

How does the speaker feel about their audience's support?

The speaker expresses deep gratitude for their audience's support, emphasizing how it motivates them to create helpful content.

What mindset does the speaker encourage among students facing academic challenges?

The speaker encourages students to view failures as opportunities for growth and to maintain a positive outlook, demonstrating that life is not always perfect.