Konkurrenz im Studium | Zuschauerfrage

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses their personal journey with competition during their studies. Initially, they felt overshadowed by peers who seemed to achieve more with less effort, but after becoming a parent, they realized success in academia is about self-awareness and finding what works best for oneself. They experimented with different study methods, including note-taking and learning groups, but found their own way of learning without notes and focusing on understanding the material. They emphasize that everyone has unique strengths and that competition is not about comparing oneself to others but about personal growth and finding one's own path to academic success.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker discusses their views on competition in academia, emphasizing that they do not inherently thrive on competing with others.
• 🎓 They clarify that competition, in the sense of a limited resource, does not apply to education as grades are not capped and everyone can potentially achieve their deserved score.
• 🤔 The speaker initially struggled with the feeling that others were achieving better grades with less effort, which was a source of frustration.
• 👶 After having a child, they realized that success in studies is not about comparing oneself to others but knowing what works best for oneself.
• 📚 They experimented with different study methods, like note-taking and learning from others, but found that these did not necessarily improve their own learning.
• 📈 The speaker's grades did not suffer despite having less time for university due to their child, indicating that their approach to learning was effective for them.
• 👥 They mention that they stopped forming study groups, preferring to learn alone, which helped avoid feeling inadequate when comparing themselves to others.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses, and there's no need to feel inferior or superior based on others' performance.
• 🏆 They emphasize the importance of self-acceptance and focusing on one's own capabilities rather than being preoccupied with the achievements of peers.
• 🔍 The speaker advises students to find out what study methods work best for them, as there's no one-size-fits-all approach, and it often involves trial and error.

Q & A

What does the term 'competition' mean to the speaker?

For the speaker, 'competition' implies a situation where individuals are playing against each other, akin to a limited-size pie where everyone tries to get as much as possible.

How does the speaker personally deal with competition in their studies?

The speaker personally does not focus on competing with others but rather on their own performance. They believe that everyone can achieve the grade they deserve without it being a competition, as grades are not limited.

What was the speaker's initial struggle during the beginning of their studies?

Initially, the speaker struggled with the feeling that others were achieving better grades with seemingly less effort, which was demoralizing during the first two or three semesters.

How did the birth of the speaker's child affect their approach to studying?

After the birth of their child, the speaker realized that success in studies or life is about knowing oneself and what works best for one's own learning style, rather than comparing oneself to others.

What changes did the speaker make in their study methods after the birth of their child?

The speaker stopped trying to be as flexible as before, attending every lecture, or meeting with people on weekends. They lost direct contact with their peers and stopped comparing themselves to others.

What was the speaker's strategy for dealing with exams they did not like?

The speaker resigned themselves to the fact that they had to adapt to the exam format they disliked, such as memorizing for exams, and focused on what was necessary to achieve a good grade.

How did the speaker's attitude towards competition change after starting their studies at 26?

The speaker did not let the age difference or the grades of others affect them. They accepted that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses and that there is no need to feel better or worse in comparison.

Why did the speaker stop forming study groups?

The speaker found that forming study groups were no longer necessary and preferred to study alone, which helped them avoid feeling inadequate when things did not go as well as with others.

What is the speaker's advice for finding an effective study method?

The speaker advises to discover what works best for oneself, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach. They emphasize that it is a trial-and-error process and that worrying too much about finding the perfect method can be counterproductive.

How does the speaker feel about the learning process and the time it takes to understand it?

The speaker acknowledges that understanding how to learn effectively takes time and that it is a process everyone must go through. They also mention that those who grasp it quickly often have had a good educational foundation prior to university.

What is the speaker's current study technique that they have found to be effective?

The speaker's current study technique involves listening attentively, sitting in the front row of lectures, and taking very few notes, focusing only on what seems super important. They have found that this method works best for them.