Clinician's Corner: Tips on how to study smarter

Summary

In this video, Rishi Desai, Chief Medical Officer at Osmosis and a pediatrician, shares his top three study tips that have been instrumental in his medical career. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right study location for optimal focus, determining specific study topics using spaced repetition to identify weak areas, and employing active learning strategies like starting with questions to enhance retention. Desai also suggests creating a study schedule and encourages viewers to share their personalized study techniques for mutual benefit.

Takeaways

• 🏠 Location is crucial for effective studying; choose a place that allows you to focus and recharge without distractions.
• 🎯 Having a clear intention for what to study each day helps in setting specific goals and making efficient use of study time.
• ⏰ Spaced repetition is a powerful technique to review and reinforce previously learned material, identifying areas of difficulty or interest.
• 🤔 Starting with questions rather than passive reading or watching videos can activate your learning process and direct your focus to areas that need attention.
• 📚 After identifying areas of confusion through questions, seek out the best resources to understand those topics deeply.
• 🕒 Plan an 'hour of power' to intensively study specific topics, using videos or textbooks, and include short breaks to maintain focus.
• 🔄 Regularly revisit questions to ensure understanding and to reinforce learning, which will help in long-term retention.
• 📈 The testing effect is a learning strategy where attempting to answer questions improves memory and understanding of the material.
• 🧠 Focus on topics that are both challenging and intriguing to you; these are the areas that will benefit most from dedicated study time.
• 📈 Utilize resources like 'How to Learn in the Health Professions' for additional strategies to enhance your study techniques.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video by Rishi Desai?

The main focus of the video is to discuss study tips that have been effective in Rishi Desai's life and to identify methods that are less effective.

What is Rishi Desai's professional background as mentioned in the script?

Rishi Desai is the Chief Medical Officer at Osmosis and a pediatrician specializing in pediatric infectious diseases.

What does Rishi Desai consider himself in relation to studying?

Rishi Desai considers himself a 'professional studyer' because he is constantly learning and studying as part of his job at Osmosis.

What is the first study tip Rishi Desai suggests in the video?

The first study tip is to choose a location for studying that allows for focus and minimizes distractions.

Why does Rishi Desai emphasize the importance of location for studying?

Rishi Desai emphasizes the importance of location because it controls the environment and helps in focusing without being distracted by daily decisions.

What is the second study tip discussed by Rishi Desai?

The second study tip is to have a clear idea of what to study before starting, using space repetition to identify areas of strength and weakness.

What does Rishi Desai mean by 'space repetition'?

Space repetition refers to the practice of reviewing material that has been learned in the past, particularly material that has not been looked at for a while, to refresh the mind and identify areas of difficulty.

What is the third study tip that Rishi Desai shares in the video?

The third study tip is to start with questions to identify areas of confusion and then actively seek out resources to understand those areas better.

What does Rishi Desai recommend doing after identifying areas of confusion through questions?

After identifying areas of confusion, Rishi Desai recommends finding the best resources, such as books or videos, to understand those areas and then dedicating focused time to study them.

What is the 'testing effect' mentioned by Rishi Desai?

The 'testing effect' is a learning strategy where engaging with questions, even on unfamiliar topics, helps to identify knowledge gaps and improves retention by actively searching for answers.

What bonus tip does Rishi Desai provide for those interested in becoming better students?

The bonus tip is to utilize the resource 'How to Learn in the Health Professions' created by Rishi Desai's team, which includes strategies like the testing effect and space repetition.

How does Rishi Desai suggest creating a study schedule?

Rishi Desai suggests setting up a study schedule through awesomeness.org to structure and enhance the study process.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Optimal Study Environment

Rishi Desai, Chief Medical Officer at Osmosis and a pediatrician, shares his top study tips in this video script. He emphasizes the importance of choosing the right location for studying, which can significantly impact focus and productivity. He suggests that the location should provide a controlled environment, free from distractions, and allow for uninterrupted study sessions. Rishi shares his personal preference for studying at his childhood home, which offers a familiar and quiet space. He also discusses the benefits of having a supportive environment where daily chores are taken care of, allowing him to concentrate solely on learning. The first tip is to identify a location that works best for you and to make it a habit to study there.

05:00

📈 Prioritizing Study Content

The second paragraph focuses on the importance of knowing what to study. Rishi advises against aimlessly starting to study without a clear plan. He suggests using spaced repetition as a strategy to identify areas of weakness or curiosity. This method involves reviewing material learned in the past six months to refresh the memory and pinpoint areas that need more attention. By identifying specific topics that are challenging or intriguing, one can set clear study goals for the day. The script encourages viewers to focus on these areas to enhance their learning experience.

🎯 Effective Study Techniques

In the third paragraph, Rishi discusses how to approach studying once the location and content are determined. He advocates for the testing effect, which involves starting with questions to identify gaps in knowledge. This active learning approach helps to engage the mind and directs focus towards areas that need improvement. After identifying specific areas of difficulty, he recommends finding the best resources, such as books or videos, to address those topics. He also suggests creating a study schedule, known as the 'hour of power,' to systematically work through the material. The script encourages viewers to use questions as a driving force to guide their study sessions and to take regular breaks to maintain focus and productivity.

🚀 Bonus Tip for Better Studying

As a bonus tip, Rishi mentions a resource created by his team called 'How to Learn in the Health Professions,' which offers additional strategies for effective studying. He invites viewers to share their specific study tips in the comments and to set up a study schedule using a tool from Osmosis. The script concludes with an invitation to start a free trial at Osmosis to enhance one's study routine.

Keywords

💡Location

Location refers to the physical or environmental setting where studying takes place. In the video, Rishi Desai emphasizes the importance of finding a study spot that helps with focus and productivity, whether it’s a library, coffee shop, or home. He mentions his childhood home as an ideal place where he could focus without distractions, as his parents helped manage other tasks like laundry and meals.

💡Focus

Focus is the mental concentration and attention devoted to studying. Desai highlights how crucial it is to eliminate distractions and concentrate on the material at hand. A key part of this involves choosing the right location and minimizing everyday decisions, allowing more mental energy to be directed toward learning.

💡Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a study technique where information is reviewed at increasing intervals to enhance retention. Desai underscores its value by recommending it as a method for revisiting material over time, which helps refresh knowledge and reinforce learning, especially for difficult subjects like renal physiology.

💡Study Environment

The study environment refers to the surroundings and conditions that can influence one's ability to learn effectively. Desai stresses the importance of a calm, organized study environment that minimizes distractions and logistical concerns, allowing students to focus solely on their study goals.

💡Active Learning

Active learning is a process where the learner engages with the material through activities like answering questions or solving problems, as opposed to passively reading or watching videos. Desai advocates for this method by encouraging students to start studying with questions, even on topics they haven’t yet mastered, to stimulate critical thinking and deeper understanding.

💡Testing Effect

The testing effect refers to the improvement in knowledge retention when individuals are tested on material rather than simply reviewing it. Desai discusses how starting with questions can activate the brain and lead to better learning, as opposed to passively watching videos or reading textbooks.

💡Study Goals

Study goals are specific objectives or learning outcomes a student aims to achieve in each study session. Desai explains the importance of setting clear, intentional study goals for each day to avoid wasting time figuring out what to study and to ensure progress in learning.

💡Curiosity

Curiosity is a natural desire to learn or understand something, often driven by questions or gaps in knowledge. Desai suggests using curiosity as a driving force in studying, encouraging students to focus on topics they find intriguing or confusing, such as exploring complex subjects like autoimmune diseases.

💡Study Schedule

A study schedule is a structured plan that organizes study activities over time to ensure consistent learning. Desai mentions the importance of setting up a study schedule, for example through osmosis.org, to structure one’s study habits and keep track of progress.

💡Breaks

Breaks refer to short periods of rest taken during study sessions to recharge mentally. Desai recommends taking regular breaks, such as after 30 minutes of study, to maintain focus and avoid burnout. He emphasizes that knowing a break is coming can help push through challenging material.

Highlights

Introduction to the topic of study tips by Rishi Desai, Chief Medical Officer at Osmosis.

Emphasis on the importance of location in studying and how it affects one's environment.

Personal anecdote about studying at his childhood home for medical boards.

The significance of a supportive environment in enhancing focus and study efficiency.

Tip on choosing a study location that allows for focus and recharge.

The second tip focuses on determining what to study and the importance of having a clear study plan.

Advice on using spaced repetition to identify areas of study that need attention.

Discussion on the value of focusing on topics that are challenging or of great interest.

The third tip is about how to study effectively, starting with questions rather than passive reading.

Explanation of the testing effect and its role in active learning.

Suggestion to identify specific areas of difficulty and then seek out the best resources for those topics.

Recommendation to create a focused study session, known as the 'hour of power', with specific goals.

Importance of taking breaks during study sessions to maintain productivity.

The bonus tip about self-awareness as a student and the resources available for improving study skills.

Mention of a comprehensive guide on how to learn in the health professions.

Encouragement for viewers to share their specific study tips and experiences.

Advice on setting up a study schedule using a recommended online tool.

Invitation to start a free trial on Osmosis for further study support.

Transcripts

all right how are you feeling today

hey guys rishi desai here from osmosis

uh

thanks for joining me again this week

what i wanted to talk about this week

were study tips you know top three study

tips for my

own life things that have helped me and

things that i think don't work quite as

well

that i kind of stumbled across and kind

of figured out as i went along

as background i'm the chief medical

officer at osmosis

and i'm a pediatrician i do pediatric

infectious diseases

and so i've had kind of a very

traditional route in some ways going

into medicine in some ways a very

non-traditional route you know because i

do a lot of medical education

and so for me as i was thinking about

studying

i thought you know honestly i'm i would

say i'm kind of a professional studyer

every single day i come in and i'm

making

videos or questions and i'm looking up

things i'm so i'm literally constantly

learning

constantly studying and so i think

studying itself has become

for me something that i really pride

myself on and take a lot of enjoyment

out of

and but it took a long time to get there

you know there was a lot of time when i

was studying and i hated it i thought i

wasn't doing it right and

and i probably felt that way because i

wasn't doing it right here we go number

one

so for me it starts with where big

question

where where do you like to study and

it's uh

location location location it's

everything right so um

you know it could be the corner spot in

the library maybe you're that kind of

study maybe it's the coffee shop you

like that aroma

maybe it's your friend's apartment or

your own apartment uh maybe you have a

desk set up

uh for me i actually came back to my

childhood home of studying this is where

i got a lot of my studying done so

that's why i thought it'd be kind of fun

to come back here

to kind of get back in that spirit of it

and i actually came back here through

college

i would i would take breaks come back

here on weekends when it came down to

medical school i was about five hours

away so i actually drove down here

to study for boards and the reason

location matters is the key here

is that it really controls your

environment so i would come here because

i got my piece here my quiet here

you know my parents you know stepped up

they did a ton of stuff

to to pamper me frankly um laundry you

know cooked meals all the kind of

logistical stuff i didn't have to think

about

so i could literally just kind of focus

right and that's what you really want to

do is focus

recharge your battery not not get

distracted by a thousand decisions you

have to make every day

and really apply your focus to the thing

you need to focus on which is just

learning new material so that's really

really crucial that kind of important

piece

is location and so that first question

again where do you like to study that's

the first

tip choose it pick it know yourself and

and make sure you keep going back there

or mix it up if that's what you need to

do

number two big tip number two

is what what are you going to study and

this is the biggest thing i notice i'll

go to study with someone to study

uh date or a friend and i'll say hey

let's go study

and uh and we'll sit down and that other

person is literally just kind of

you know twisting their thumbs kind of

like dawdling around and you're like

what are you doing

and they're like i'm not really sure

what what i want to do yet i haven't

figured it out

and they'll literally spend 30 minutes

45 minutes like figuring

out what they want to study and so for

me i try to figure out what i'm going to

study you know as i wake up that day you

know i have in my mind kind of my

intention for the day

what are my goals for that day what i

want to get out of it and so know what

you want to study and the way to figure

that out one way if you're not sure

is space repetition i can't say it

enough spaced repetition

space repetition right so i'm repeating

the word for you i

i hope you remember that term and the

idea is that you go over the stuff that

you've learned in the last six months

right maybe flash cards stuff that you

haven't looked at in

in six months you're getting right stuff

you're getting wrong it literally

refreshes your mind you start thinking

about all the stuff you've learned it's

like

it's like going into the field and

aerating the soil getting all that hard

clay up that was maybe settling down at

the bottom

and saying hey what is the stuff i

really struggle with and thinking what

are the two things i want to learn today

that's what i want to figure out what do

i want to learn today

and for me it's always kind of the

things i'm scared about things that i

don't want to think about so let's say

that's renal physiology or learning

about autoimmune diseases because

they're all going to kind of get

confused in my head

or stuff i'm curious about like hey i

really am super curious about such and

such

someone said something i thought it was

interesting i didn't really get it

so i'm really curious to learn more so

what is the stuff that you're kind of

worried about

and stuff you're curious about that's

the stuff i really think that you need

to focus on so

that's the what tip number three so now

we've we know where we are we know what

we're going to do

how how are you going to study and this

is you know people have a hundred

different answers for this

my answer what's worked really well is

you start with

questions don't go and start watching

videos don't go and start

you know reading a book or reading notes

because you're reading passively you're

not reading to actually learn you're

reading just to get through the chapter

you're reading just to get through the

video

don't do that it's a waste your time it

doesn't work as effectively

so there's this idea called a testing

effect and what it means is you go in

you do some questions

and i don't care if it's stuff you've

never looked at before

even in that situation go do a question

and and

questions on osmosis are organized that

way so you can just dive in do some

questions

and identify what it is that's confusing

you know could you figure it out

did you read the explanation did it make

sense start kind of getting your mind

into that active mode by saying hey you

know what i didn't answer this question

right i couldn't figure it out

now i'm searching now i'm on the hunt

i'm hunting for an answer

now once you've identified stuff you're

kind of struggling with you say okay

look

i i thought i wanted to focus on renal

physiology based on my space drop

i went and did some renal physiology

questions i got basically all of them

wrong

no surprise right but at least now you

know the specifics oh okay it was about

ions i couldn't

figure out like how the ion channels

worked okay great

so now that's where you start saying

okay what is the best resource for renal

physiology

what's the number one topic or place i

want to go do i want to go read a book

do i want to go and look at some videos

do i want to go

watch you know some memory palaces like

what do i want to do to really

understand

how the kidney works normally okay great

make a list

figure out how long that list is how

many videos is that calculate time and

say okay this is

about one hour of time right this is my

hour of power

i've figured out where i want to study i

figured out what i want to study now i'm

figuring out how i want to study

and i know that these are the things i

want to look at go

through those watch those videos maybe

it's an hour of videos double speed it

so that's only 25 minutes or 30 minutes

and say okay every 30 minutes i'm gonna

give myself

a minute break or a two-minute break and

you just know that

like hey my break is coming just power

through until i get to my break

and the thing that's going to drive you

is the question like what was it that i

couldn't figure out so

again go through figure out what you

want to learn

dive in watch those videos read those

parts of the textbook really understand

it well

and then you can say okay good i got it

i'm all set i'm ready to move on to

maybe more questions

or maybe i finish my two goals for the

day i'm ready for a third goal

or maybe i'm ready for a a thing of ice

cream you know whatever it is so

once you check you know challenge

yourself with a couple goals you you

master it through that hour of power

watching those videos reading those you

know bits of the textbook go back into

the questions

make sure you understand them you really

feel good about them then you've studied

you really understand it and then you

know down the road when you're doing

space repetition

maybe you all actually get those

questions right because you actually

spent such a dedicated time to that so

those are my three tips again where what

how

and then a little bonus tip if you're

doing these kind of things you're

obviously

interested in becoming a better student

right that's part of your ethos

just know that about yourself and if

you're part you know an interest in

being a better student

in addition to watching these tips a

little bonus tip is

we actually put together this so a

little how to learn in the health

professions

um my team and i worked on this uh it's

an incredible resource

tons of you know great little images and

visuals

go over a kind of testing effect space

repetition and a number of other tricks

and strategies that work so check that

out

and and again leave a comment tell me

what works for you

make it specific you know the general

stuff doesn't help anyone so make it

really specific

where do you like to study what do you

like to study how do you like to study

and then finally

unless i forget you should study make a

study schedule

go on awesomeness.org set up your study

schedule

and i'll check you out again maybe next

week take care

bye guys start your free trial today

at osmosis.org

you