How I Ranked 1st at Cambridge University - 20 Study Tips

Summary

This video offers 20 top study tips for excelling in exams, shared by a Cambridge University graduate who managed to balance studies with a YouTube channel and social life. The tips are categorized into five parts: target revision technique, friends and balance. Key advice includes creating a visual representation of subjects, focusing on weaknesses, using a retrospective revision timetable, and understanding before memorizing. The speaker also highlights the effectiveness of active recall, spaced repetition, and interleaving in memorization, as well as the importance of mock exams, intentional flair in essays, and banking points with coursework. The video emphasizes studying with friends for motivation and accountability, sharing resources, and maintaining balance with a dedicated workspace, time for unwinding, and enjoying the journey of education.

Takeaways

• 🎯 **Scoping the Subject**: Create a visual tree diagram to understand the structure of the subject and identify key concepts and their interrelations.
• 🔍 **Focus on Weaknesses**: Use a color-coding system to highlight areas of weakness and concentrate revision efforts on these 'red zones' to improve overall performance.
• 📅 **Retrospective Revision Timetable**: Instead of a fixed plan, revise on the day based on identified weaknesses and track progress over time.
• ✍️ **Note-Taking Limitations**: Recognize that passive note-taking may not be the most effective study method and consider more active learning techniques.
• 🧠 **Understanding Before Memorizing**: Prioritize understanding concepts deeply, which can be tested by explaining them to someone with no background knowledge on the topic.
• 📚 **Active Recall**: Test yourself regularly to reinforce memory and improve retention, which is more effective than passive reading or rereading.
• 🕒 **Spaced Repetition**: Schedule review sessions over time to counteract the natural decay of memory and move information into long-term retention.
• 🔁 **Interleaving**: Mix different topics within a study session to enhance retention and understanding, rather than focusing on a single subject area.
• 📝 **Mock Exams**: Practice with past papers and mock exams to familiarize with exam format and question styles, improving exam performance.
• 🎨 **Intentional Flair**: Add creativity and uniqueness to essays and answers to stand out to examiners and potentially increase marks.
• 👫 **Studying with Friends**: Collaborate with peers for motivation, using techniques like the Pomodoro method, and create a supportive study environment.
• 🤓 **Peer Testing**: Test each other on learned topics to reinforce knowledge actively and fill in any gaps in understanding.
• 📚 **Shared Resources**: Share notes and essays among study groups to distribute workload and benefit from collective knowledge.
• 🏛️ **Dedicated Workspace**: Establish a routine and workspace that promotes focus and productivity, away from distractions.
• 🧘 **Unwinding Time**: Schedule time for relaxation and hobbies to maintain balance and prevent burnout.
• 🌟 **Enjoy the Journey**: Focus on enjoying the learning process and not just the end goal to make the most of the educational experience.

Q & A

What is the first study tip mentioned in the video for creating a comprehensive understanding of a subject?

The first study tip is to scope the subject by creating a tree diagram that visually represents everything that needs to be learned. This helps in understanding where a specific concept fits within the wider picture of the subject.

How does color coding using a red, amber, green traffic light system benefit students during revision?

Color coding allows students to quickly identify their weak areas (red zones), areas that need some improvement (amber), and areas they are strong in (green). This system helps in focusing revision efforts on specific weaknesses.

What is the purpose of focusing on weaknesses during exam preparation according to the video?

Focusing on weaknesses ensures that students do not spend disproportionate time on subjects or topics they are already good at. It helps in achieving a balanced understanding and performance across all subjects, which is essential for optimizing exam results.

Can you explain the concept of a retrospective revision timetable mentioned in the video?

A retrospective revision timetable involves planning study sessions on the day itself rather than in advance. Students identify their weak areas (red zones) for that day and study those topics, marking the date next to the subject once studied. This method is flexible and adaptive to real-life interruptions.

Why is note-taking considered a waste of time for some subjects according to the video?

Note-taking is considered a waste of time for subjects where revision guides are readily available because it is a passive activity that does not effectively aid in memory formation. It is more beneficial to focus on active learning techniques rather than just summarizing material.

What is the Feynman Technique and how does it relate to understanding a topic?

The Feynman Technique is a method where one tries to explain a topic in simple terms, as if to a child. It is based on the idea that if you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. This technique helps in gaining a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

What are the three key memorization techniques discussed in the video?

The three key memorization techniques are active recall, spaced repetition, and interleaving. Active recall involves testing oneself to reinforce memory, spaced repetition involves reviewing information at increasing intervals to counteract forgetting, and interleaving involves mixing different topics within a single study session to improve retention.

Why is doing mock exams considered an effective study technique according to the video?

Mock exams are effective because they help students understand the format and style of the actual exam, allowing them to practice test conditions and exam techniques. They also help in identifying specific areas that need improvement and familiarize students with the types of questions that may be asked.

What does the video suggest about the role of friends in the study process?

The video suggests that studying with friends can be beneficial. It can increase motivation, make the study process more enjoyable, and provide opportunities for collaborative learning. Friends can test each other, share notes, and provide support during the revision period.

What is the importance of balance in the study process as discussed in the video?

Balance is crucial in the study process as it helps maintain long-term motivation and prevents burnout. It involves having a dedicated workspace, scheduling time for unwinding, and focusing on enjoying the journey rather than just the end goal. This approach leads to a healthier and more sustainable study routine.