I Tried THIS Scientific Study Method for 4 hours. I Got A*s (I'll delete this if you don't)

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their unconventional journey to medical school, detailing how they defied traditional study methods to secure a spot in a competitive UK program. After failing their exams, they focused on past papers, grouped lecture materials by topic, and created self-made questions to maximize learning efficiency. Despite skepticism from peers, their approach led to top-tier results, with the speaker eventually gaining admission to med school. The story emphasizes the power of questioning traditional study habits and finding smarter, more effective ways to learn.

Takeaways

• 😀 Challenge the traditional study methods: Don’t follow the crowd—find what works best for you to achieve top results.
• 📚 Focus on results, not effort: Instead of just attending lectures or taking notes, focus on methods that help you score the best in exams.
• 🚀 Think backwards: Start by analyzing past exam papers to identify recurring questions and high-yield topics before diving into the material.
• 🧩 Group content strategically: Organize lectures by related topics (e.g., DNA replication, metabolic pathways) to create connections and learn more efficiently.
• 💡 Use ‘priming’ before studying: Skim through entire lectures before diving deep into them to understand the structure and importance of content.
• 🧠 Create questions to reinforce learning: Convert lecture material into questions to actively engage with the content and facilitate deeper learning.
• 🔄 Reflect on mistakes: Focus on questions you get wrong by revisiting the material to ensure a complete understanding rather than creating new answers from scratch.
• 📱 Use AI tools for research: Leverage platforms like Consensus AI for verified answers and deep insights from scientific studies to enhance understanding.
• ⏳ Prioritize curiosity-driven learning: While studying complex topics, ask questions and seek answers to fuel your curiosity and make the material more engaging.
• 🏅 The unconventional method pays off: By questioning the typical study system, embracing experimentation, and adjusting based on results, you can drastically improve your academic performance.

Q & A

What was the main motivation for the speaker to adopt a different approach to studying?

The speaker's main motivation was to get into medical school, which seemed like a near-impossible goal with thousands of applicants and only eight spots. To achieve this, they knew they had to avoid following the traditional study methods that everyone else was using.

How did the speaker initially approach their studies to improve their chances of getting into medical school?

Instead of following the traditional path of taking notes and attending every class, the speaker decided to work backwards. They focused on analyzing past exam papers first, identifying frequently tested topics, and built a strategy around these insights.

What method did the speaker use to identify important topics for the exam?

The speaker created a spreadsheet to track how often specific topics appeared in past exam papers. By identifying recurring topics, they were able to focus on high-yield material that was more likely to be tested.

What unique study strategy did the speaker use when tackling the 150 lectures with hundreds of slides?

The speaker printed out all the lecture slides, laid them on the floor, and grouped them into categories based on related topics. This allowed them to learn in batches of interconnected ideas rather than trying to memorize each individual lecture.

How did the speaker use the concept of 'priming' in their study method?

The speaker used priming by skimming through the entire lecture before fully diving into it. This helped them get an overview of the structure and content, which made the subsequent in-depth study more effective and efficient.

What role did question creation play in the speaker’s study strategy?

Creating questions was central to the speaker’s approach. By converting key lecture slides into questions, they activated the information in their brain. These questions helped them focus on exam-relevant material and served as a way to self-test during revision.

How did the speaker handle the pressure and doubts from peers about their unconventional study method?

Despite doubts from peers and professors, the speaker remained confident in their approach. They trusted their method, which emphasized understanding and learning effectively rather than following the traditional 'perfect' study habits that others were using.

What was the outcome of the speaker’s unconventional study approach?

The speaker achieved remarkable results, scoring in the top 1% of their cohort in every exam. This success led to their acceptance into medical school, proving that their non-traditional study method was highly effective.

Why does the speaker recommend using Consensus AI for studying?

The speaker recommends Consensus AI because it provides verified, research-backed answers from millions of scientific studies. This helps students deepen their understanding of complex topics by getting detailed analysis, which aids in retaining and applying knowledge.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the traditional approach to studying?

The speaker advises against blindly following traditional study methods, such as reading every page and taking perfect notes. Instead, they encourage students to question the system they’re using and explore smarter, more efficient ways to learn.