How to Study for Exams - The STic Framework for Effective Learning

Summary

This video introduces the 'STICK' method for effective studying, emphasizing the importance of Spacing, Testing, Interleaving, and Categorizing. It highlights how testing oneself significantly boosts exam scores, spacing out study sessions enhances long-term retention, categorizing information aids in structuring knowledge, and interleaving different topics improves learning efficiency. The video also features insights from David Epstein and recommends 'Make It Stick' for further reading on these evidence-based techniques.

Takeaways

• 📚 The 'STICK' method stands for Spacing, Testing, Interleaving, and Categorizing, which are four principles for effective studying.
• 📈 Testing (or active recall) is the most crucial component for boosting exam scores and should be integrated into the learning process from the start.
• 🔍 Spacing involves distributing study sessions over time, allowing for some forgetting before restudying, which is more efficient than massed practice.
• 🌳 Categorizing information helps in structuring and retaining large amounts of data by building a 'tree of knowledge' around a subject.
• 🔄 Interleaving, or mixed practice, involves mixing different types of tasks or problems, which can be more challenging but leads to better learning outcomes.
• 🔑 The 'Make It Stick' book emphasizes the importance of testing, spacing, and interleaving as game-changers in effective learning.
• 📈 The forgetting curve is a natural phenomenon where memory decays over time, and it's countered by retrieval practice and spaced repetition.
• 🤓 David Epstein's book 'Range' discusses how generalists can excel in a world of specialists, with implications for learning and studying techniques.
• 💡 Active recall or testing can be applied even before learning a topic to prime the brain for better retention of information.
• 📈 A study showed that spaced practice intervals led to remembering 250% more information compared to massed practice, even without further study.
• 💡 The video suggests that learning should be difficult and mentally taxing, as this indicates that the brain is effectively encoding new information.

Q & A

What is the STICK method mentioned in the video?

The STICK method stands for Spacing, Testing, Interleaving, and Categorizing, which are the four most important principles for effective and efficient studying according to the video.

Why is testing considered the most important principle in the STICK method?

Testing is considered the most important because it involves active recall or retrieval practice, which significantly boosts exam scores and helps information stick in the long term, as supported by numerous studies.

What does the term 'active recall' mean in the context of studying?

Active recall refers to the process of testing oneself to retrieve information from memory, which is a more effective learning technique than passive rereading or highlighting.

How does the 'spacing' principle work in the context of studying?

Spacing involves leaving intervals between study sessions on the same topic, allowing for some forgetting to occur before revisiting the material, which enhances long-term retention.

What is the 'hyper correction effect' mentioned in the video?

The hyper correction effect is a phenomenon where getting an answer wrong and then learning the correct one leads to better retention of the right information.

What is the significance of the 'forgetting curve' in memory research?

The forgetting curve illustrates the natural decay of memory over time, emphasizing the need for retrieval and re-encoding of information to counteract forgetting.

How does the 'categorizing' principle aid in learning?

Categorizing helps in structuring information by creating a system or 'tree of knowledge' around a subject, making it easier to understand and remember large amounts of information.

What is 'interleaving' in the context of the STICK method?

Interleaving, or mixed practice, involves mixing different types of learning material or tasks during a study session, which can be more challenging but leads to better understanding and retention.

What is the relationship between difficulty in learning and the effectiveness of learning?

The video suggests that when learning is difficult and mentally taxing, it indicates that more effective learning is taking place, as the brain is working harder to encode the information.

What is the role of Skillshare in the video?

Skillshare is the sponsor of the video, offering an online learning community with various classes and providing a two-month free trial for new users through the link in the video description.

Why should one consider using the 'retrospective revision timetable' mentioned in the video?

The retrospective revision timetable is a technique that helps ensure the use of active recall, spacing, and testing in studying, making the study sessions more efficient and effective.