Your study schedule sucks. Here's Why.

Summary

This video explains how traditional strict study schedules often fail, offering a more flexible approach to studying. The key idea is to set a flexible bare minimum of study tasks each day, tailored to your energy levels and optimal study time. The video emphasizes understanding the difference between strict, in-between, and fluid tasks, as well as respecting your natural energy peaks. It also advises blocking distractions, knowing when to stop studying, and preventing burnout with a study cutoff time. This approach ensures consistent progress without overwhelming yourself.

Takeaways

• 😀 Strict study schedules often fail because they don’t account for fluctuating energy levels and varying task difficulty.
• 😀 Instead of rigid schedules, focus on a flexible 'bare minimum' approach, where you ensure at least one or two small tasks are done each day.
• 😀 Small, manageable study sessions add up over time – even 10 minutes of flashcards a day can accumulate to a lot of progress over a year.
• 😀 The human brain likes finishing tasks, so even small study sessions can lead to motivation for longer sessions.
• 😀 Identify your 'optimum time of day' – the time when you have the most energy and least resistance to studying, whether it's in the morning, after school, or at night.
• 😀 Social media distractions can derail study time, so use apps like Block to limit distractions during your most productive hours.
• 😀 Understand the difference between strict, fluid, and in-between tasks: strict tasks are time-bound, fluid tasks are unpredictable, and in-between tasks have a known duration.
• 😀 Prioritize tasks in the order of strict, in-between, and fluid to ensure the most important tasks are completed first and time doesn’t run out on unpredictable tasks.
• 😀 Always define what you’re studying before you start—be specific about the topic, your goals, and the type of task you're tackling.
• 😀 Set a study cut-off time to avoid burnout; this helps prevent overworking and ensures you take time for rest and recovery.

Q & A

Why do strict study schedules often fail?

Strict study schedules fail because they don't account for the fluctuating energy levels and changing study content. People are human, and their energy levels and the difficulty of tasks change, making rigid schedules ineffective.

What is the 'flexible bare minimum' approach to studying?

The 'flexible bare minimum' approach involves ensuring that you study at least one or two things every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. This helps maintain progress, and small efforts add up over time.

How does the concept of 'baby steps' help in studying?

'Baby steps' involve taking small, manageable actions every day, ensuring steady progress. Even if the progress seems small, consistent effort leads to significant long-term results.

What is the importance of finding your 'Optimum time of day' for studying?

Finding your 'Optimum time of day' ensures that you study when you have the most energy and the least resistance to focusing. This could be in the morning, evening, or any time that suits your natural energy peaks.

How can blocking distracting apps improve study effectiveness?

Blocking distracting apps during study time helps minimize distractions and allows you to focus better. Since social media and entertainment options can quickly drain your energy, blocking them helps maximize your available time for productive studying.

What is the difference between 'fluid tasks' and 'strict tasks' in studying?

Strict tasks are clear and time-bound, like studying flashcards for a set amount of time. Fluid tasks, like writing essays or doing research, are unpredictable in terms of time and may lead to distractions or unexpected extensions.

Why should you start a study session with strict tasks?

Starting with strict tasks helps you complete predictable tasks quickly and efficiently, saving your energy for more fluid tasks later. This approach ensures that at least some progress is made before your energy dips.

How can understanding the difference between fluid and strict tasks help with study planning?

By understanding the difference, you can plan your study sessions more effectively, starting with tasks that are predictable and moving on to more time-consuming, fluid tasks as your energy permits.

What is the role of a study cut-off time in preventing burnout?

A study cut-off time prevents overworking by establishing a clear boundary for when studying stops. This helps protect against burnout and ensures that you have time to rest and recharge.

How does having a cut-off time help with procrastination?

A cut-off time creates a sense of urgency, motivating you to finish your tasks before the time is up. Knowing there's a set time when studying will stop helps you avoid procrastination and get work done efficiently.