How to make the GREATEST Academic Comeback in 2025.

Summary

In this video, Colin, a computer science student at Yale, shares strategies to help you ace all your classes with ease. He emphasizes the importance of developing the right mindset by believing you can learn anything, making studying fun, and eliminating distractions. Colin outlines effective study methods such as note-taking, active recall, and using practice papers. He also advises tackling homework early and planning study schedules in advance. Finally, he stresses the significance of rewarding yourself for your hard work to create a sustainable and effortless study routine for a successful academic comeback.

Takeaways

• 😀 Believe in yourself: Tricking your brain into thinking you're an academic weapon boosts your potential and makes studying easier.
• 😀 Make studying fun: Turn your study sessions into a game by using tools like quizlets and timing yourself with past papers.
• 😀 Remove distractions: Put your phone away and focus on studying for shorter, more productive sessions.
• 😀 Effective note-taking: Use acronyms, mnemonics, and speed up video lectures to maximize study time and retention.
• 😀 Use AI tools: Create practice papers using AI by pasting your class notes to generate questions for self-testing.
• 😀 Complete homework early: Avoid procrastination by finishing assignments as soon as you receive them for a stress-free week.
• 😀 Create a study schedule: Plan your weekly study sessions by designating specific subjects and time slots.
• 😀 Be specific in your study plan: For each study session, define exactly what you want to accomplish (e.g., completing practice papers).
• 😀 Reward yourself: After achieving study goals, reward yourself with activities you enjoy to reinforce positive habits.
• 😀 Make your study routine sustainable: Incorporate enjoyable activities like sports or relaxation to maintain motivation and prevent burnout.

Q & A

What is the first step to acing all your classes, according to the script?

The first step is to reset your mindset by believing that you are an academic weapon. You need to trick yourself into thinking that you can learn anything, which removes the self-limiting belief that you're not smart enough.

Why is it important to make studying fun?

Making studying fun helps you engage with the material more actively and reduces the feeling of studying as a chore. The script suggests using games, quizzes, and time challenges to gamify studying, making it more enjoyable and effective.

How can distractions impact studying, and how should they be managed?

Distractions, especially from phones and social media, can severely impact productivity. The script recommends putting your phone away and focusing for just one hour without distractions to achieve more in less time.

What is the concept of 'active recall' and why is it essential?

Active recall involves testing yourself on the material you've learned, rather than passively reviewing notes. It helps strengthen memory and understanding. Using past papers or creating your own practice papers through AI tools like ChatGPT is an effective way to engage in active recall.

How should homework be approached for maximum efficiency?

The script recommends doing homework as soon as it's assigned, ideally finishing it by the night it is given or the next day. This creates a stress-free week and allows more time for other activities.

What role does time management play in academic success?

Time management is crucial for academic success. The script emphasizes creating a study schedule each week, where you allocate specific times for each subject and ensure a balanced workload, which helps prevent procrastination and improves consistency.

Why is it beneficial to print out your notes before exams?

Printing out your notes before exams helps reinforce learning by physically engaging with the material. The script suggests printing the notes a week before exams as a way to enhance retention and prepare more effectively.

What tools or strategies are recommended for effective note-taking?

The script suggests using Google Docs for note-taking, incorporating acronyms, and using mnemonics. Additionally, watching videos at double speed and using tools like summary.tech to summarize videos can help save time and enhance understanding.

How should you structure your study sessions to make them more effective?

Study sessions should be planned with specificity. For each session, define exactly what you want to accomplish, such as finishing a practice paper or reviewing specific topics. This focused approach makes studying more structured and efficient.

How can you stay motivated to study consistently over time?

Staying motivated can be achieved by rewarding yourself after study sessions or exams. Doing activities you enjoy, like sports or socializing, helps create a positive feedback loop where studying becomes more enjoyable.