How to Educate Yourself Like a Genius (without school)

Summary

In this video, you'll learn a three-step system for self-teaching any skill quickly and effectively. First, engage in project-based learning to make your education relevant and motivating. Next, design a learning path by using tutors or study partners, or implement an ABC Group method to enhance retention. Finally, apply targeted individual learning through daily habits like dual-tasking, annotation, and teaching. This method maximizes learning speed, retention, and application, even with a busy schedule, by actively engaging with content in meaningful ways.

Takeaways

• 😀 You can teach yourself anything and get the equivalent of an Ivy League education without spending money.
• 😀 Project-based learning is the first step in the system, where learning is driven by your interests and real-world applications.
• 😀 Engaging in a project helps you discover which skills you actually need, motivating you to learn them.
• 😀 A learning project can make seemingly boring or irrelevant topics more exciting and engaging.
• 😀 The second step is to design a learning path, which can include hiring a teacher, finding study partners, or using self-learning methods.
• 😀 Study groups are effective for enhancing understanding, adding nuance, and spurring curiosity about a topic.
• 😀 Using structured group learning (like ABC groups) can significantly speed up learning by involving feedback, presentations, and further research.
• 😀 Teaching others is one of the best ways to learn, as it forces you to explain concepts and identify knowledge gaps.
• 😀 You can find study partners easily through platforms like Reddit or Facebook, and this can even lead to new friendships.
• 😀 Targeted individual learning is the third step and includes three habits: dual tasking, annotation, and teaching.
• 😀 Dual tasking involves combining physical tasks (like working out) with mental tasks (like listening to audiobooks), optimizing learning during otherwise empty time.

Q & A

What is the main concept of the video?

The video outlines a three-step system to teach yourself anything quickly. The system includes engaging in project-based learning, designing a learning path, and using targeted individual learning methods.

How does project-based learning help in learning new skills?

Project-based learning helps by making the topic or skill directly relevant to a personal project, which boosts motivation and retention. When working on a project, you'll naturally identify and learn the skills necessary to complete it, making the learning process more engaging.

Why did the speaker initially hate math, and how did that change?

The speaker initially hated math because it felt boring and irrelevant. However, when he became interested in neuroscience, he realized that learning calculus and statistics was crucial to understanding the field, which made math feel directly relevant and led to improved motivation and performance.

What is the significance of studying with a group or having study partners?

Studying with a group helps add nuance to your understanding and spurs curiosity. Engaging with others allows for the exchange of ideas, identifying misunderstandings, and gaining different perspectives, which enhances overall learning.

How can you structure a productive group study session?

A productive group study session can be structured by following these steps: 1) Each participant researches a topic, 2) Participants present what they’ve learned, 3) Provide constructive feedback to each other, and 4) Assign new topics for the next session.

What is the ABC group structure mentioned in the video?

The ABC group structure is a method of group study used to train new people quickly. A trainee presents a topic to the group, receives feedback, and then is assigned a new topic to present the following week. This encourages active learning, engagement, and knowledge retention.

Where can you find study partners to implement the ABC group structure?

Study partners can be found on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, or other social media. Simply reach out and express your interest in working on specific skills or topics, and you can set up regular study sessions with others.

What are the three daily habits of targeted individual learning?

The three daily habits of targeted individual learning are: 1) Dual tasking, 2) Annotation, and 3) Teaching. These habits help improve learning by maximizing available time, actively engaging with the material, and reinforcing knowledge through teaching or presenting it.

How does dual tasking enhance learning?

Dual tasking involves combining a physically repetitive task (like working out) with a mental task (like listening to an audiobook). This helps maximize time during otherwise empty moments, allowing for continuous learning without the need for dedicated, separate time.

What role does annotation play in learning?

Annotation involves taking quick notes or highlighting important parts of the material you're learning. This process helps solidify retention by making active connections with other ideas, refining your understanding, and organizing information for easier review.

Why is teaching considered an effective method of learning?

Teaching reinforces knowledge by forcing you to articulate and organize your understanding in a way that makes sense. Presenting information helps you identify gaps in your knowledge and solidifies your understanding by connecting it to a narrative that’s meaningful to you.