5 Things That Helped Me Ace My University Classes

Summary

In this video, the creator shares his journey of academic struggles due to ADHD and dyslexia and how a break from university led to a refreshed approach. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with course content through podcasts and engaging with like-minded individuals to improve learning. The video also covers strategies like gamification, tying interests to work, time management, and maintaining a balance with hobbies. The creator credits these changes for his academic turnaround and encourages viewers to apply these strategies to enhance their own learning experiences.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker initially struggled with grades in university and high school, which led to a break from school to reassess interests and approach.
• 🔄 After returning to university, the speaker implemented new strategies that significantly improved academic performance.
• 🎧 A key strategy was to immerse oneself in the course content through various means such as listening to related podcasts.
• 🤝 Engaging with others interested in the subject matter, like joining clubs or participating in forums, can enhance learning and understanding.
• 🏆 Gamifying tasks by creating to-do lists and setting personal goals can make studying more engaging and productive.
• 🤸‍♂️ Incorporating personal interests into academic work can increase motivation and enjoyment, leading to better results.
• ⏰ Effective time management is crucial, including planning for tests and assignments well in advance and setting aside dedicated study periods.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Having an activity outside of school that provides a break but doesn't consume all your time is beneficial for mental health and focus.
• 🔗 The speaker credits the online learning platform 'brilliant' for helping with daily learning and problem-solving.
• 🙌 The speaker appreciates the support from patrons and sponsors, which has helped in creating content and financially supporting the channel.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial experience with grades in school?

Initially, the speaker had great grades in both high school and university, but as they became disillusioned and less interested in their school topics, their grades started to decline.

Why did the speaker decide to take a break from school?

The speaker decided to take a break from school because their grades were getting much worse, and they were questioning whether programming or the specific program they were in was right for them.

What impact did the break from school have on the speaker?

The break allowed the speaker to reflect and rethink their approach to university, leading to a different view and new strategies for learning and improving grades.

What is the first change the speaker made to improve their academic performance?

The first change the speaker made was to surround themselves with their course content, exposing themselves to the topics they were studying as much as possible.

How does the speaker suggest using podcasts to improve learning?

The speaker suggests using podcasts related to the course content to get multiple exposures to the same ideas, which can enhance understanding and provide context clues when learning new terms or concepts.

What role do clubs and forums play in the speaker's strategy for learning?

Clubs and forums play a role by providing a community of people interested in the same topics, allowing for discussions, idea exchanges, and answering questions, which can reinforce learning and expose the speaker to different perspectives.

Why does the speaker recommend trying to gamify the learning process?

The speaker recommends gamifying the learning process to increase interest and motivation. This can be done by creating to-do lists, maintaining streaks, and being competitive, which can make starting and continuing projects easier.

How does tying interests to work help in the speaker's experience?

Tying interests to work makes the learning process more enjoyable and engaging for the speaker, leading to spending more time on projects and often finishing them earlier because of the increased enjoyment and challenge.

What does the speaker emphasize about time management in university?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of time management in university by mapping out the semester, marking important dates in a calendar, and using time blocks to ensure focused work on different projects and studies.

Why is having something outside of school important according to the speaker?

Having something outside of school is important because it provides a break from academic focus, helps maintain a healthy balance, and prevents burnout. The speaker suggests finding a hobby that is engaging but not all-consuming.

What is the main takeaway from the speaker's experience that they recommend to others?

The main takeaway and recommendation from the speaker's experience is to surround oneself with the topics they are learning about, as it was the most impactful change they made to improve their academic performance.