After 6 Years Of Studying Medicine: Here’s How You Learn Anything

Summary

In this video, the speaker, a doctor, shares strategies for overcoming a poor memory and attention span to succeed in medical school. They emphasize the importance of aligning study habits with natural motivation waves, using the Octalysis framework to study effectively. The speaker outlines four stages of learning: discovery, onboarding, scaffolding, and endgame, each with its own approach to maximize motivation and retention. They also discuss the concept of 'human digest' for better information absorption and the benefits of momentum in overcoming procrastination.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker overcame personal challenges like poor memory and lack of discipline to become a doctor by adapting strategic learning approaches.
• 🧠 Motivation plays a crucial role in learning, and it can be more effective than strict discipline, especially when studying at random, motivated times.
• 🌊 Motivation fluctuates predictably during long-term tasks, and understanding this pattern can help in planning study schedules effectively.
• 📚 The learning process is divided into four stages: Discovery, Onboarding, Scaffolding, and Endgame, each with its own motivation levels and strategies.
• 🔍 During the Discovery stage, it's beneficial to explore the full scope of a course and connect it to personal interests and goals.
• 🛠 In the Onboarding stage, focus on learning the core basics of the subject to establish a foundation for future learning.
• 🏗️ The Scaffolding stage is where the bulk of the learning happens, and maintaining motivation is key despite the repetitive nature of the work.
• 🏁 The Endgame stage is characterized by a rush to complete tasks, with high motivation but possibly accompanied by anxiety.
• 🛑 To combat procrastination, it's more effective to start with enjoyable tasks to build momentum rather than forcing oneself to start with difficult tasks.
• 🔄 Mixing enjoyable and necessary tasks during work sessions can lead to increased productivity and a more enjoyable learning experience.
• 🧠 Understanding how our brain processes information is essential for effective learning; creating a 'human digest' or simplified summary can aid comprehension and memory.

Q & A

What challenges did the speaker face during their medical degree?

The speaker faced challenges such as poor memory, poor attention span, inability to stick to habits, and lack of routine.

How did the speaker adapt to the demands of their medical degree?

The speaker adapted by learning to adapt their distractable and easily bored brain to a strategic approach, focusing on motivation and understanding the natural fluctuations of motivation during long-term tasks.

What is the significance of motivation in learning according to the speaker?

Motivation is significant in learning because it can influence the effectiveness of studying and even intelligence test results, contrary to common advice that emphasizes discipline and consistency.

What is the Octalysis framework mentioned in the script?

The Octalysis framework is a model that captures the predictable pattern of motivation fluctuations during the accomplishment of a long-term task like learning.

How does the speaker suggest utilizing motivation waves for studying?

The speaker suggests studying when motivation is naturally high and taking time off when it's least likely to affect performance negatively, by understanding and piggybacking on the natural motivation waves.

What are the four main parts of a course or academic year according to the speaker?

The four main parts are the discovery stage, the onboarding stage, the scaffolding stage, and the end stage, each with its own natural motivation levels and strategies for study.

Why is the onboarding stage important according to the speaker?

The onboarding stage is important for learning the core basics of a subject and establishing a foundation that can be built upon, even when motivation and attention might dip later.

How does the speaker address the issue of procrastination?

The speaker addresses procrastination by suggesting the use of 'distracted will' or momentum, starting with favorite tasks to build up momentum and reduce cognitive load, rather than relying solely on free will.

What is the concept of a 'human digest' in the context of the script?

A 'human digest' is a brief, easily understandable summary of a complex topic that helps in creating associations and facilitating further learning by providing a context for new information.

Why is creating a human digest beneficial for learning, according to the speaker?

Creating a human digest is beneficial because it provides a context for new information, making it easier to connect and understand new concepts, which in turn promotes further learning and memorization.

What advice does the speaker give for optimizing study sessions?

The speaker advises mixing tasks that one enjoys with those that are less enjoyable, and suggests having long workdays with varied tasks to maintain momentum and productivity.