Developing a Mindset for Successful Learning

Summary

Dr. Stephen Chew's video aims to cultivate the right mindset for effective learning, debunking misconceptions and emphasizing the importance of preparation and practice over innate talent. He outlines 10 principles for developing personalized study strategies, including mastering the basics, avoiding overconfidence, focusing fully, planning ahead, utilizing feedback, recognizing prime learning opportunities, embracing challenges, and finding pleasure or value in the learning process. Chew encourages students to apply these principles to excel academically and professionally.

Takeaways

• 📚 Learning is a result of effort, not just innate talent; hard preparation leads to better understanding.
• 🔍 Effective and ineffective learning strategies exist; the right kind of mental work is essential for actual learning.
• 💡 Mastering the basics is crucial before advancing to complex skills; foundational knowledge facilitates easier learning.
• 🤔 Metacognition is vital; being aware of one's understanding helps avoid overconfidence and poor study habits.
• 🚫 Multi-tasking is not conducive to learning; focus on one task at a time for better retention and understanding.
• 🗓 Planning is key to successful learning; setting long-term and short-term goals aids in comprehensive preparation.
• 🔁 Feedback is essential for improvement; embracing and utilizing feedback enhances learning and understanding.
• 🌟 Prime learning opportunities should be recognized and utilized; they provide the necessary information for comprehensive understanding.
• 🚀 Embracing challenges and dealing with difficulties are part of the learning process; perseverance is crucial for improvement.
• 😄 Finding pleasure or value in what you study can enhance motivation and performance, even in less appealing subjects.
• 🔑 The 10 principles outlined are a guide to developing personalized study strategies that work for each individual learner.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Dr. Stephen Chew's video?

The purpose of the video is to help viewers develop the proper mindset for becoming an effective learner by addressing misconceptions about learning and providing general principles to guide study strategies.

According to Dr. Chew, what is the first principle of learning?

The first principle is that your level of understanding is a direct result of how hard you prepare, emphasizing that learning is a matter of study and practice, not luck.

Why does Dr. Chew consider the belief in inborn talent as a misconception that can hinder learning?

Dr. Chew lists the belief in inborn talent as a misconception because it can lead to underestimating the importance of sufficient time and effort in achieving academic goals.

What does Dr. Chew suggest about the effectiveness of common study strategies?

Dr. Chew suggests that many common study strategies are ineffective, causing people to waste time and effort without actually learning.

Why is it important to master the basics before moving on to more complex skills, according to the video?

It is important to master the basics because all new learning builds on prior knowledge, and having a strong foundation makes it easier to learn advanced concepts.

What is metacognition and why is it important for effective learning?

Metacognition is the awareness of how well one understands a concept. It is important for effective learning because it helps to avoid overconfidence and ensures that study efforts are directed towards areas of misunderstanding.

How does Dr. Chew view multitasking in relation to studying?

Dr. Chew views multitasking as a hindrance to effective studying, asserting that our brains are not built for multitasking and that focusing on one task at a time is more efficient.

What role does planning play in successful learning according to Principle 6?

Planning plays a crucial role in successful learning as it helps to set long-term and short-term goals, preventing last-minute cramming and ensuring comprehensive coverage of the material.

Why should students seek out feedback and how can they use it to improve their learning?

Students should seek out feedback because it is a powerful source of learning that can help identify and correct weaknesses in study skills and knowledge, thus improving understanding and performance.

What does Dr. Chew mean by 'prime learning opportunities' and how are they beneficial for learning?

Prime learning opportunities refer to moments when all relevant information is available for developing a comprehensive understanding of a concept. They are beneficial because they allow for in-depth learning and retention of knowledge.

How does Dr. Chew suggest dealing with the challenges and difficulties of learning?

Dr. Chew suggests dealing with challenges and difficulties by being open to new ideas, taking risks, and persevering through setbacks, as these are inherent parts of the learning process.

What is the importance of finding pleasure or value in what you are studying, as mentioned in Principle 10?

Finding pleasure or value in what you are studying is important because it motivates learners to do their best, even in subjects that do not initially appeal to them, and can lead to a deeper interest and understanding of the subject matter.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Developing an Effective Learning Mindset

Dr. Stephen Chew introduces himself as a professor of psychology at Samford University and outlines the purpose of the video: to cultivate the right mindset for successful learning. He emphasizes that common misconceptions about learning can hinder progress. Chew explains that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning, and instead offers 10 general principles to guide viewers in developing personalized study strategies. The first principle is that understanding is a direct result of diligent preparation, debunking the myth of learning being solely a matter of innate talent. He stresses the importance of sufficient time and effort, especially for foundational concepts that are crucial for grasping advanced material. Chew also warns against the pitfalls of ineffective study strategies that can lead to wasted time and effort.

05:02

🔍 Mastering the Art of Learning: Strategies and Metacognition

This paragraph delves into the nuances of learning strategies, asserting that not all methods are created equal and that ineffective ones can lead to a false sense of learning despite extensive study time. Dr. Chew highlights the necessity of mastering the basics before advancing to complex skills, as new knowledge builds upon existing understanding. He also addresses the importance of metacognition, or self-awareness of one's understanding, and how overconfidence can be a detriment to learning, especially among college freshmen. To counteract overconfidence, Chew suggests employing various techniques to verify comprehension, such as quizzes, peer discussions, and self-testing. He also touches on the importance of avoiding distractions and focusing solely on the task at hand for effective learning.

Keywords

💡Mindset

Mindset refers to a set of attitudes and beliefs that shape a person's approach to learning. In the video, Dr. Chew emphasizes the importance of developing a proper mindset for effective learning, suggesting that misconceptions about learning can hinder academic success. The mindset is crucial as it influences how hard one is willing to prepare and the strategies one employs to study.

💡Misconceptions

Misconceptions are false beliefs or misunderstandings that people hold about a particular subject. The script mentions that most people have serious misconceptions about learning that can be detrimental. For example, the belief that learning is a matter of inborn talent is identified as a misconception that can lead to a lack of effort and poor study habits.

💡Study Strategies

Study strategies are methods or techniques used to learn and retain information effectively. Dr. Chew discusses the importance of developing personalized study strategies that work for the individual, as what is effective can vary from person to person. The video series also covers effective learning strategies, indicating that using the right strategies is essential for successful learning.

💡Metacognition

Metacognition is the awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. In the script, it is mentioned as a key aspect of avoiding overconfidence. Students with poor metacognition may overestimate their understanding of a subject, leading to inadequate study and poor performance. Dr. Chew suggests using metacognition to check one's level of understanding and to adjust study efforts accordingly.

💡Overconfidence

Overconfidence is the excessive belief in one's own abilities or knowledge. The script warns against overconfidence, as it can lead to underestimating the effort required for learning. Struggling students are described as being overconfident, thinking they understand when they do not, which is a result of poor study strategies and lack of effective metacognition.

💡Multi-tasking

Multi-tasking refers to the act of attempting to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Dr. Chew argues against the effectiveness of multi-tasking during study, stating that our brains are not built for it. Instead, he advocates for total focus on one task at a time to maximize learning efficiency, using the example of background music as a potential distraction.

💡Planning

Planning in the context of learning involves setting goals and organizing study sessions to achieve those goals. The script emphasizes the importance of both long-term and short-term planning to prevent last-minute cramming and to ensure comprehensive coverage of the material. Effective planning is presented as a key component of successful learning.

💡Feedback

Feedback is information received in response to one's actions or efforts, which can be used for improvement. In the video, feedback is highlighted as a powerful tool for learning. Dr. Chew encourages students to seek out and utilize feedback from various sources, such as teachers and exam scores, to identify weaknesses and enhance understanding.

💡Prime Learning Opportunities

Prime learning opportunities are moments or situations where all necessary information and resources are available for optimal learning. The script describes these opportunities as critical for developing a comprehensive understanding of a concept. Examples from the script include attending classes, taking effective notes, and engaging in discussions with peers and teachers.

💡Challenges

Challenges in learning refer to difficulties and obstacles that one must overcome to achieve understanding and mastery. The script acknowledges that effective learning involves dealing with challenges, being open to new ideas, and taking risks, which may include occasional failure. The ability to persevere through these challenges is presented as a hallmark of successful learning.

💡Pleasure or Value

Pleasure or value in learning is the enjoyment or perceived worth that a learner finds in the subject matter. Dr. Chew advises students to find pleasure or value in what they are studying to motivate themselves to do their best, even in subjects that do not initially appeal to them. This approach is suggested as a way to develop interest and engage more deeply with the material.

Highlights

Developing the proper mindset is crucial for becoming an effective learner.

Common misconceptions about learning can hinder academic and professional success.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to successful learning; it depends on individual variables.

Learning requires hard preparation and is not a matter of luck or inborn talent.

Understanding the importance of studying beyond just knowing information for advanced mastery.

Identifying effective and ineffective learning strategies to maximize study efficiency.

The necessity of mastering the basics before progressing to more complex skills.

Metacognition plays a key role in avoiding overconfidence and ensuring true understanding.

The importance of checking one's level of understanding to prevent overconfidence.

Multi-tasking is not conducive to effective learning; focus on one task at a time.

The role of planning in successful learning, including setting long-term and short-term goals.

Feedback is essential for learning, and good students use it to improve their understanding.

Recognizing and taking advantage of prime learning opportunities for better comprehension.

The value of dealing with challenges, difficulty, and uncertainty in the learning process.

Finding pleasure or value in what you are studying to enhance learning motivation.

The importance of self-discipline and willpower in learning even uninteresting information.

Implementing these 10 principles can lead to becoming a successful learner in school or work.

Transcripts

Hi, I’m Dr. Stephen Chew.

I’m a professor of psychology here at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.

The purpose of this video is to help you develop the proper mindset for becoming an effective

learner.

Most people have serious misconceptions about how people learn that actually hurt them as

they try to study for school or for their jobs.

A few years ago I created a series of videos to help students get the most out of their

studying.

I’ll be referring to the content of the video series, but you can watch this video

before or after viewing the series.

There is no set recipe that you can follow for successful learning.

It depends on a lot of variables.

What works for one person may not work for another, and what works for one topic might

not work for others.

What I can give you are 10 general principles to guide you as you develop study strategies

that work for you.

Principle 1: Your level understanding is a direct result of how hard you prepare.

The first principle is that your level of understanding is a direct result of how hard

you prepare.

Learning is a matter of study and practice, not luck.

In my first study video, I list the belief that learning is a matter of inborn talent

as one of the “beliefs that make you stupid.”

Sure, some topics will come faster or slower for you, but you always have to put in sufficient

time and effort to accomplish your academic goals.

Furthermore, if what you are learning is important for mastering more advanced concepts, you

need to study it beyond the point of just knowing it, you’ve got to learn it to the

point where thinking about and using that information is easy and effortless.

Principle 2: There are effective and ineffective ways to prepare.

Time and effort are necessary for learning, but they aren’t a guarantee of learning.

Principle 2 says that there are effective and ineffective ways to learn.

If you use an ineffective strategy, you won’t learn no matter how much time you study.

The key here is that the strategies that most people use to learn are some of the least

effective, causing people to waste time and effort.

I discuss effective learning strategies in videos 2, 3, and 4 of the series.

You have to do the right kind of mental work to learn.

There are no shortcuts and no one else can do it for you.

Principle 3: You have to master the basics before moving on to more complex skills.

All new learning builds on prior knowledge.

The more you know about a subject, the easier it is to learn that subject.

If you have little or no background knowledge about a topic, like taking an introductory

course in a topic you know nothing about, that is when learning is slowest and hardest.

If you plan to major or specialize in a topic area, then fundamental knowledge has to be

more than just known, it has to be so well practiced you can recall and use the information

automatically.

Principle 4: Overconfidence should be avoided at all costs

Principle 4 has to do with our awareness of how well we really understand a concept.

This is called metacognition, and I discuss it in the first study video.

One of the hallmarks of struggling students is poor metacognition.

They are grossly overconfident.

They think they understand when they really do not.

A big reason is that poor study strategies increase confidence without increasing actual

learning.

Overconfidence is common in college freshmen.

As a result of poor metacognition, students wait too late to start studying and stop studying

before they have mastered the material.

So, they perform poorly.

You always need to check your level of understanding to avoid overconfidence.

Take advantage of chapter quizzes, get with a classmate and question each other, write

down everything you can recall about a topic and compare it to the textbook.

Make sure your level of confidence is justified.

If you can’t find a way to check your level of understanding, practice strategic pessimism,

and study even more than you think necessary.

Principle 5.

Effective preparation requires your total focus; no distractions

Principle 5 has to do with multi-tasking.

Simply put, our brains are not built for multi-tasking.

Trying to do multiple tasks at once is virtually always slower and less effective than focusing

on one task at a time.

In my study videos, I classify the notion that we are good at multi-tasking as one of

those beliefs that make people stupid.

When you study, you must pay full attention and eliminate all distractions.

The best way is to remove them so they won’t be a temptation, because temptations themselves

are distractions.

Every distraction costs you in terms of learning.

There is no such thing as a momentary distraction.

I’m often told by students that they need background music to block out other noises

while studying.

If you do listen to music while studying, make sure it is familiar, unobtrusive, and

does not have lyrics.

Principle 6.

Successful learning requires planning ahead.

Principle 6 says that effective learning requires good planning.

You should have long-term goals, such as how many days before the exam you will have completed

all the required reading and when you will begin reviewing.

This prevents you from cramming at the last minute.

You should have short-term goals, such as what you plan to accomplish during your study

time for a particular session.

Good preparation is comprehensive, it covers all aspects of the material.

You don’t skip one topic and hope for the best.

Plan to take advantage of all learning opportunities and complete all assignments.

If you have to miss classes, find ways and resources to compensate for what you missed

as best you can.

Principle 7.

Feedback helps you get better Feedback is a powerful source of learning.

Good students welcome feedback and know how to use it to improve their understanding.

Too often struggling students ignore sources of feedback such as scores on exams and assignments,

when it is one of the most effective ways to improve learning.

Failure is feedback.

It helps you identify and correct weaknesses in your study skills and your knowledge so

you will be better prepared on the next exam.

I discuss how to do this in the fifth study video.

Seek out feedback from your teachers.

Create your own feedback using class resources, and make the most of it.

Principle 8.

Recognize and take advantage of prime learning opportunities

Successful learners know how to take advantage of prime learning opportunities and when needed,

create them.

A prime learning opportunity is when you have all the relevant information available to

you in order to develop a coherent and comprehensive understanding of a concept.

For long-term learning, you need at least three prime learning opportunities and you

need to take full advantage of them.

If you have a good teacher, then going to class is a prime learning opportunity.

Good students pay attention in class.

They learn to take effective notes that capture the critical elements of concepts.

They don’t just complete assignments, they learn from them.

I discuss effective note taking in video 4.

Successful students learn to create their own learning opportunities.

They do that through their notes, textbook, class resources, and discussions with peers

and teachers.

One way of creating learning opportunities is to become part of an effective study group.

I discuss effective group study in video 4.

Principle 9.

Improvement involves dealing with challenges, difficulty, and uncertainty

Effective learning is difficult.

It involves being open to new ideas, exposing yourself to uncertainty, taking risks, and

likely failing on occasion.

Effective learning isn’t always exciting and it isn’t always comfortable.

Effective learning requires perseverance through challenges and setbacks.

Principle 10.

Find the pleasure or value in what you are studying in order to do your best

Successful learners develop ways to do their best in all their courses, even ones that

do not initially appeal to them.

They find a way to take pleasure or find value in what they are learning.

I hear students complain about how a subject isn’t really relevant to what they want

to do.

But the fact is that many students become interested in fields they never considered

before learning about it.

A good curriculum forces you to take courses beyond what you imagine is necessary.

You never know if a course may spark your interest or become critically important in

your future.

Try to see beyond just earning a passing grade.

Try to discover why people like your teacher find the subject matter so interesting, and

try to develop an interest yourself, at least for the time that you are in the class.

If you think that is asking too much, keep this in mind.

No matter what career you choose, there will be times when it is critical for you to learn

information that you do not find inherently interesting.

Everyone faces this situation.

It is the person who has the will and self-discipline to do their best in this situation who will

get ahead and succeed.

If you can put these 10 principles into action, you are on your way to becoming a successful

learner in school or work.

Please see my video series on how to study for more information about them.

Thank you for watching.