You're not dumb: How to ACTUALLY study

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares five essential study tips that can drastically improve academic performance. Drawing from personal experience as a valedictorian and Caltech graduate, the speaker emphasizes the importance of using an exam prep tracker, maintaining a growth mindset, considering the return on investment (ROI) in study habits, knowing when to memorize versus understand, and the value of friendships for success. The speaker advocates for strategic, efficient studying and building supportive relationships to stay motivated and succeed academically.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start early with an exam prep tracker to organize resources and materials for each class, ensuring a smoother study process.
• 😀 Embrace a growth mindset by analyzing mistakes and using them as learning opportunities instead of dwelling on discouraging feelings.
• 😀 Focus on Return on Investment (ROI) when planning your study activities to ensure you're investing your time and energy wisely for maximum benefit.
• 😀 Active study methods, like quizzing yourself, provide a much higher ROI compared to passive activities like rereading or taking notes.
• 😀 Memorization is not enough in subjects that require understanding (like STEM); focus on building a deeper understanding and connections between concepts.
• 😀 Make studying enjoyable by recognizing the benefits, like feeling prepared and confident, which can motivate you to work harder and study smarter.
• 😀 Utilize digital tools like Thea to track your study progress, receive feedback, and customize your learning approach for maximum efficiency.
• 😀 Understand when to memorize facts (like in languages or biology) and when to truly understand concepts (like in physics and math) to retain knowledge long-term.
• 😀 Surround yourself with supportive friends who can motivate and help you academically, while also keeping you accountable and inspired.
• 😀 Remember that grades aren’t everything. Your efforts, personal growth, and well-being matter more, and are essential to success in life and school.

Q & A

What are the five study tips mentioned in the video?

The five study tips mentioned are: 1) Use an exam prep tracker, 2) Approach negative outcomes with curiosity, 3) Keep ROI (Return on Investment) in mind, 4) Distinguish when you should memorize versus when you should understand, 5) Make friends to support your academic journey.

How does using an exam prep tracker help students?

Using an exam prep tracker helps students organize study materials, set reminders, and track their progress over time. It allows students to capture all resources provided throughout the course and avoid last-minute cramming.

Why is it important to transition negative outcomes with curiosity?

Transitioning negative outcomes with curiosity helps students view mistakes as learning opportunities. It encourages a growth mindset, where students analyze their errors, learn from them, and improve their performance rather than feeling discouraged.

What does ROI (Return on Investment) mean in the context of studying?

ROI in studying refers to evaluating how much benefit you get from the time and energy you invest in studying. It encourages students to focus on activities that yield the greatest benefit, such as quizzing themselves, instead of passive tasks like rereading textbooks.

What is the recommended approach for memorization versus understanding in subjects?

The video advises students to focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing shortcuts or tricks. While memorization is necessary for certain subjects, especially languages and biology, understanding the underlying principles leads to better long-term retention and problem-solving abilities.

How does making friends contribute to academic success?

Making friends is crucial because they provide emotional support, help with studying, and create a sense of community. Additionally, friends, especially upperclassmen, can offer useful study tips, exam strategies, and motivation, making studying more efficient and enjoyable.

What role does Thea play in improving study habits?

Thea is a smart study tool that helps students study actively by offering various question types such as true/false, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank. It provides instant feedback, allows for review of incorrect answers, and helps track progress over time, making studying more effective.

What does the speaker mean by 'got to turn an L into earning'?

'Got to turn an L into earning' is a mantra suggesting that students should approach failures (represented as 'L's) with a mindset focused on learning and improvement. Instead of dwelling on mistakes, students should view them as valuable opportunities to grow and perform better in the future.

What is the difference between using quizzing methods and passive studying?

Quizzing methods, such as using flashcards and actively testing oneself, are far more effective for retaining information than passive studying methods like rereading textbooks or notes. Active studying promotes better memory retention and understanding of the material.

How does the speaker suggest overcoming the challenge of difficult subjects like STEM?

The speaker suggests that the key to succeeding in challenging STEM subjects is understanding the fundamental concepts rather than relying on memorization or shortcuts. Building a strong foundational knowledge allows students to apply problem-solving techniques to new and more complex problems.