The 9 BEST Scientific Study Tips

Summary

This video explores scientifically-backed study tips to achieve better grades. It emphasizes the effectiveness of short, frequent study sessions over long cramming periods, as they aid in better information encoding. Establishing a study routine can make learning easier over time. The video advises against passive rereading, instead promoting active learning with flashcards and setting specific goals for each session. Teaching material to others or expecting to be tested improves understanding. Practice tests are encouraged for identifying knowledge gaps and boosting confidence. A designated, well-equipped study space without distractions, like music or phones, is recommended for optimal focus.

Takeaways

• 📚 **Study in Short Bursts**: Break study sessions into 20-30 minute chunks over several weeks for better encoding of information.
• 🌙 **Avoid All-Nighters**: Cramming and all-night study sessions can lead to lower grades and negatively affect reasoning and memory.
• 🕒 **Establish a Routine**: Set specific study times to create a routine, which makes studying easier and more effective over time.
• 📈 **Flashcards for Memory**: Use flashcards as a proven method to reinforce memory during study sessions or downtime.
• 🎯 **Set Specific Goals**: Have a clear goal for each study session to focus on one aspect, enhancing understanding and retention.
• 🗣️ **Teach to Learn**: Expecting to teach material improves understanding as the brain organizes information more logically.
• 📝 **Practice Makes Perfect**: Regular practice tests help identify knowledge gaps, increase confidence, and lead to better performance.
• 🏡 **Designated Study Spot**: A well-equipped, designated study area primes the brain for learning and improves focus.
• 🎵 **Music and Concentration**: Some classical music can aid concentration, but rhythmic background noise can be detrimental to focus.
• 📱 **Minimize Distractions**: Keep phones away during study times to maintain concentration and improve study effectiveness.

Q & A

What is the recommended study session length according to the script?

The script suggests that study sessions are most effective when they are short, around 20-30 minutes, rather than long, such as a 10-hour cramming session.

Why is spreading out study sessions over time more beneficial than cramming?

Spreading out study sessions allows the brain to better encode information into synapses through short, repeated sessions, which is more effective than a single large session.

How does routine play a role in studying according to the script?

Setting up specific times for studying creates a routine, which primes the brain and makes studying easier over time as the brain becomes trained to learn during those moments.

What is the effectiveness of passively rereading notes or highlighting a textbook as a study method?

The script indicates that passively rereading notes or highlighting a textbook is ineffective and can even be detrimental, as it may draw attention to less important information and does not improve understanding or link key concepts.

Why are flashcards considered an excellent memory reinforcement tool?

Flashcards are proven to be excellent for memory reinforcement because they can be used during scheduled study times or during off times, such as a bus ride home, to reinforce learning.

What is the benefit of having a specific goal for each study session?

Having a specific goal for each study session helps focus on one aspect, such as balancing chemical equations or conjugating French verbs, which can lead to a deeper understanding of the topic.

How does the expectation of teaching material affect understanding according to the script?

Students who expect to teach material understand it better because their brains organize the information into a more logical and coherent structure.

What role do practice tests play in studying and why are they beneficial?

Practice tests are beneficial because they familiarize the brain with the testing environment, help identify knowledge gaps, and increase confidence, leading to better performance.

What is the best location for studying according to the script?

The script suggests that having a designated, well-equipped spot for studying is best, as it primes the brain for studying just like setting specific study times.

What is the impact of background music on concentration during study sessions?

While some classical music may help improve concentration, recent studies suggest that learning with rhythmic background noise can be detrimental to focus, and those not using music perform much better.

Why is it advised to put away your phone during study sessions?

Putting away your phone during study sessions is advised because it decreases concentration and can be a distraction from the study material.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Effective Study Techniques

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of studying smarter rather than longer. It suggests that breaking study sessions into short, repeated intervals is more effective for memory encoding than long, cramming sessions. The paragraph also highlights the ineffectiveness of passive rereading and the benefits of using flashcards and setting specific goals for each study session. The concept of 'teaching to learn' is introduced, where the expectation of teaching material leads to better understanding and organization of information. Lastly, the paragraph touches on the benefits of practice tests in identifying knowledge gaps and building confidence.

Keywords

💡Study sessions

Study sessions refer to the periods of time dedicated to learning and reviewing material. The video emphasizes that shorter, more frequent study sessions are more effective than longer, cramming sessions. This is because the brain encodes information more efficiently in multiple short sessions rather than one long one. The script suggests spreading study time into 20-30 minute sessions over several weeks for optimal learning.

💡Encoding

Encoding in the context of the video refers to the process by which the brain converts information into a format that can be stored and later retrieved. The video suggests that the brain is better at encoding information into synapses during short, repeated study sessions compared to one large session, which is why spaced repetition is encouraged.

💡Cramming

Cramming is the act of studying a large amount of material in a short period of time, often before an exam. The video mentions that cramming and all-nighters are linked to the lowest grades, as they can negatively affect reasoning and memorization after prolonged periods. This is contrasted with the benefits of spaced repetition and routine.

💡Routine

A routine in the video is a regular pattern of behavior or study times that helps prime the brain for learning. By setting up specific times for studying, the brain becomes accustomed to learning during those moments, making studying easier and more effective over time.

💡Flashcards

Flashcards are small cards used for memorization and review of information. The video highlights flashcards as excellent memory reinforcement tools, suggesting that they are more effective than passively rereading notes or highlighting a textbook. They can be used during scheduled study times or during downtime, like a bus ride home.

💡Specific goals

Having specific goals for each study session is emphasized in the video as a way to focus and improve understanding. The script advises picking one aspect to focus on during each session, such as balancing chemical equations or conjugating French verbs, which helps in targeting learning and retention.

💡Teaching

The concept of teaching as a learning method is introduced in the video, where students who expect to teach material perform better in understanding it. This is because the brain organizes information in a more logical and coherent structure when preparing to teach, which enhances learning and comprehension.

💡Practice tests

Practice tests are used to simulate exam conditions and identify knowledge gaps. The video suggests that taking practice tests not only acclimates the brain to the testing environment but also boosts confidence by highlighting areas that need improvement, leading to better performance.

💡Study environment

A designated study spot that is well-equipped with necessary tools is recommended in the video for optimal studying. This primes the brain for studying, similar to setting specific times for study sessions. The environment should be conducive to focus and learning.

💡Background noise

Background noise, particularly rhythmic noise, can be detrimental to focus and concentration during study sessions, according to the video. It suggests that while some types of classical music might improve concentration, using music during study sessions can often be counterproductive.

💡Phone

The video advises putting away the phone during study sessions, as it decreases concentration and distracts from the learning process. It is part of creating a focused and effective study environment.

Highlights

Study sessions are most effective in small, short chunks rather than long cramming sessions.

The brain encodes information better in short repeated sessions than in one large session.

Cramming and all-nighters are linked to the lowest grades.

Setting specific study times creates a routine that makes studying easier over time.

Passive rereading and highlighting are ineffective study methods.

Flashcards are excellent tools for memory reinforcement.

Having a specific goal for each study session improves focus.

If you expect to teach material, you understand it better.

Practice tests help identify knowledge gaps and increase confidence.

A designated study spot with necessary tools is beneficial for studying.

Certain types of classical music can improve concentration.

Learning with rhythmic background noise can be detrimental to focus.

Not using music during study can be more effective.

Putting away your phone during study increases concentration.

There are tips available for dealing with exam anxiety.

The video is sponsored by TD, providing support for its content.

Transcripts

Time for school

And it's no surprise that many of us are determined to study smarter instead of longer

But which study tips and tricks actually work scientifically, and can help you get those perfect grades

First step, research shows that study sessions are most effective in small short chunks

Instead of cramming in a ten hour study session, it's much more effective to spread it out

into twenty thirty-minutes sessions over a few weeks

This is because your brain is better at encoding information into the synapses

in short repeated sessions as opposed to one large one

And this is why even learning different skills, whether it's swimming, tenis, or a singing lesson

often follows the same format

and well, cramming an pulling allnighters may be a ritual, it turns out that this is linked to the lowest grades

after pro-longed study sessions , reasoning and memoring may be negatively effected for after 4 whole days

instead, setting up specific times in a day, or during the week, just to study

primes your brain by creating a routine and

overtime studying actually becomes easier, as your brain is trained to learn in those moments

and well, many of us spend hours passively rereading our notes or highlighting a textbook

studies have shown this to be inaffective

it doesn't improve your understanding of topics. nor does it link key concepts together

it can even be detrimental, as it draws your attention to less important information

Flashcards, on the other hand, are proven to be excellent memory reinforcement tools

Whether, during your schedule study times, or during off times like a bus ride home

It also helps to have a specific goal for each study session

pick one aspect you're focused on

whether it's balancing chemical equations or learning how to conjugate french birds

if you can't explain it simply, then you don't understand it well enough

if students in individual, were asked to learn a passage

and then half were told they will be tested on the material

while the other half were told they would have to teach it to other students

participants expecting to teach it, did much better on understanding

when you're expected to teach, your brain organizes the information in a more logical coherent structure

of course, practice, practice, practice!

not only do practice tests for your brains in your enviroment

but even if you make mistakes, they help identify gaps in your knowledge

practice test have also been proofed to increase confidence, then by leading to better performance

so where should you be studying ?

research shows that having a designated secret spot for studying , that is well equiped with every tool you might need is best

just like setting times , this primes your brain for studying

have an awesome study playlist? not so fast

well some studies have shown that certain types of classical music can help improve concentration

our recent studies have shown that learning with rhythmic background noise can be detrimental to focus

and those not using music , very much better

and if you haven't already, put away your phone!

it decreases concentration

of course, exams can be extremely stressful

so if you want some tips on how to deal with exam anxiety

check out our ASAP videos which brings down some tips for that

link is in the descripition

a big thank to the TD for sponsoring this video