“I’m dumb.” dude, no. you’re just studying WRONG.

Summary

Hannah, a University of Pennsylvania student, shares her effective study strategies in this video. She emphasizes creating a consistent study routine, choosing a distraction-free environment, and using the Pomodoro Technique—working in 25-minute intervals followed by short breaks. Hannah also advises studying alone for better focus, using planners and digital tools like Notion for organization, and consistently practicing both quantitative and qualitative subjects. For essays, she suggests writing quickly first and editing later to reduce pressure. With these tips, students can streamline their studying process and boost productivity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Establish a study routine with a designated study space (preferably outside your home) to minimize distractions.
• 😀 Use a study timer (e.g., Pomodoro Technique) to break your study sessions into 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between.
• 😀 Set your devices (phone, computer) to 'Do Not Disturb' and put your phone out of sight to avoid distractions.
• 😀 Studying alone helps maintain focus and productivity. Avoid studying with friends if it leads to distractions.
• 😀 Plan your assignments with a tool like a physical planner or digital platform (e.g., Notion) to track due dates and tasks.
• 😀 Check off completed tasks for a sense of accomplishment and to stay motivated.
• 😀 Practice regularly for mastery, especially in subjects like math, economics, and science.
• 😀 Use educational resources like Khan Academy or the Organic Chemistry Tutor to supplement your learning.
• 😀 When writing essays, start by drafting quickly without worrying about perfection, then edit afterward.
• 😀 Set specific, designated study times to avoid procrastination and ensure focus throughout your study sessions.
• 😀 A consistent study routine with scheduled times and specific places helps you stay organized and avoid procrastination.

Q & A

Why is it important to have a study routine, according to Hannah?

Hannah emphasizes that having a study routine helps to eliminate distractions and reduce decision fatigue. It makes the process of studying more automatic, so you don't have to think about where or when to study.

What type of environment does Hannah suggest for studying?

Hannah recommends studying in a location outside of your home, like a library or a quiet corner, to avoid distractions. She specifically mentions that studying in your bedroom can be challenging because of the temptation of the bed.

How does Hannah use a study timer in her routine?

Hannah uses a 25-minute timer to focus on studying. She sets the timer to avoid procrastination and ensure that she works in short bursts, making it easier to overcome initial resistance to studying.

What role do distractions play in Hannah's study routine?

Hannah acknowledges that distractions are a major problem for her, especially from her phone. To avoid distractions, she uses the 'do not disturb' function on her phone and keeps it out of sight, away in her backpack.

How does Hannah handle breaks during study sessions?

After completing a 25-minute study session, if she feels like continuing, she starts another session. If she feels the need for a break, she takes a 5-minute break to relax or check social media before resetting the timer.

Does Hannah prefer studying alone or with friends?

Hannah prefers studying alone because she finds that she tends to talk and get distracted when she's with friends. However, for group projects or subjects like math, she is open to studying with friends.

How does Hannah organize her tasks and assignments?

Hannah uses both physical planners and digital tools like Notion to organize her tasks. She finds physical planners, divided by courses, very useful, while Notion helps her track deadlines and assignments in a calendar format.

What is Hannah's approach to practicing for quantitative subjects?

For subjects like math, economics, and science, Hannah believes that the best way to learn is through practice. She emphasizes the importance of doing plenty of practice exercises to memorize and comprehend the material.

How does Hannah handle writing essays and qualitative assignments?

Hannah suggests not to procrastinate on essays. She writes a rough draft quickly, without worrying about perfection, and sets a timer to keep herself on track. She then edits the draft afterward, which takes off the pressure of getting it right on the first try.

Why does Hannah recommend having specific study times?

Hannah advises against spreading out study time throughout the entire day. She finds that having a designated study time at a specific hour helps her stay focused and prevents procrastination. It makes the process more structured and efficient.