Best Study Method if You Struggle to Focus | How I got into MIT despite ADHD

Summary

This video offers strategies for becoming an excellent student, particularly for those with ADHD or lack of focus. The speaker, who struggled with severe attention issues, shares their journey and the study methods that eventually led to academic success, including graduating top of their class and attending prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT. The video emphasizes the importance of both memorization and understanding in learning and critiques common but ineffective study methods like rereading and highlighting. It then introduces Anki, a software utilizing active recall and spaced repetition, which significantly improved the speaker's ability to memorize complex information. The video concludes with a demonstration of Anki's practical use and its potential to transform learning for those with focus challenges.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker overcame ADHD and lack of motivation to become a top student, suggesting that with the right study methods, anyone can improve their academic performance.
• 📚 Successful students often rely on their natural focus, but for those who struggle with focus, finding the right study method is crucial.
• 🧠 Both memorization and understanding are essential components of successful studying, and one must excel at both to learn effectively.
• 🚫 Common study methods like rereading, highlighting, and creating concept maps are not very effective for individuals with focus issues.
• 📈 Summarizing and making notes is a more effective method than the previously mentioned ones, as it requires active engagement with the material.
• 🔄 The forgetting curve illustrates the exponential decay of memory over time, emphasizing the need for regular review to reinforce learning.
• 💡 Anki, a software based on active recall and spaced repetition, was a game-changer for the speaker and can be highly effective for memorization.
• 🌟 Anki can be used for a wide range of subjects, from history and languages to advanced topics like quantum mechanics and differential geometry.
• 🔑 The effectiveness of Anki lies in its ability to force active interaction and decision-making, which is beneficial for those with attention challenges.
• ⏰ Anki works by resetting the forgetting curve with each review, gradually increasing the intervals between reviews as the information becomes more firmly memorized.

Q & A

What is the main challenge the speaker faced in their academic journey?

The speaker faced severe attention problems, lack of focus, and motivation, which made it difficult for them to study effectively.

How did the speaker eventually become the top high school student in their country?

The speaker discovered and implemented effective study methods despite their ADHD, which led to their academic success.

What are the two key components to successful studying according to the speaker?

The two key components to successful studying are memorization and understanding.

Why did the speaker struggle with common study methods like rereading and highlighting?

The speaker struggled with these methods because they lacked the focus and discipline to effectively engage with the material.

What is the significance of the 'forgetting curve' mentioned in the script?

The 'forgetting curve' refers to the exponential decay of memory over time. It illustrates why regular review and repetition are crucial for long-term memorization.

What role did Anki play in the speaker's academic success?

Anki played a pivotal role by providing a study tool based on active recall and spaced repetition, which helped the speaker memorize complex concepts effectively.

How does the Anki software differ from traditional note-taking methods?

Anki differs by using a digital system of Q&A flashcards that incorporate active recall and spaced repetition, which is more interactive and personalized compared to traditional note-taking.

What is the process of creating Q&A cards in Anki like?

The process involves summarizing information into questions and answers, which are then input into the software. This requires understanding the material to create effective cards.

How does Anki help in combating the forgetting curve?

Anki helps by scheduling reviews at optimal intervals, which resets the forgetting curve and reinforces long-term memory.

What are some of the subjects the speaker used Anki for?

The speaker used Anki for a variety of subjects including history, languages, advanced differential geometry, and quantum mechanics.

What is the importance of understanding before memorization as discussed in the script?

Understanding before memorization is crucial because it provides a meaningful context that aids in the memorization process, making it easier to recall information.