How I study EVERYDAY (as a lazy student)

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses their unconventional study habits throughout high school and university, focusing on the importance of consistency over perfect study techniques. They explain how building a study habit, no matter how imperfect, is key to success. By using simple strategies like the 2-minute rule from the book 'Atomic Habits', they show how small, consistent efforts can lead to automatic study routines. The speaker emphasizes that discipline and showing up every day are more crucial than optimizing focus or finding the 'perfect' study method, and encourages viewers to build habits with ease and accountability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Consistency is key: The most important factor for academic success is showing up every day and doing the work, regardless of your level of discipline or focus.
• 😀 Habit formation matters: Developing a study habit is like programming your brain. It’s about consistently showing up and eventually making studying a natural part of your day.
• 😀 Small actions lead to big results: The two-minute rule suggests starting small, like studying for just two minutes, which builds the habit over time and can lead to longer study sessions.
• 😀 Study habits don’t require perfection: You don’t need to aim for long, focused study sessions right away. Focus on building the habit of simply sitting down and starting.
• 😀 Procrastination is beaten by going pro: The key to overcoming procrastination is showing up every day, even if you don’t feel like it, and simply doing the work.
• 😀 Optimize the process later: Before worrying about perfecting study techniques or focus, focus on just sitting down and starting your study session. Standardize before you optimize.
• 😀 Study doesn’t need to be done perfectly: It’s more important to turn up every day and do something rather than worry about achieving an ideal study session every time.
• 😀 The environment matters: Make studying as easy as possible by setting up a productive environment. Have your materials ready and accessible to make starting easier.
• 😀 Accountability can help: Having someone to hold you accountable, whether a friend or mentor, can be a great motivator to build a consistent study habit.
• 😀 The brain resists new habits but adapts: At first, building a new habit, like exercising or studying regularly, is difficult, but it becomes easier with repetition and consistency.

Q & A

Why is consistency more important than perfection when building a study habit?

Consistency is key because it ensures that you are regularly showing up to study, which is the most important factor in building a habit. Perfection, on the other hand, can be overwhelming and discouraging. Small, consistent efforts over time lead to progress, even if the sessions aren't perfect.

What does the '2-minute rule' mean in the context of building study habits?

The '2-minute rule' means that you should aim to study for just 2 minutes as a starting point. The idea is to make it so easy to begin that you can’t resist doing it. Once you’ve started, it becomes easier to continue studying beyond the 2 minutes, making the habit more likely to stick.

How does turning up every day impact building a study habit?

Turning up every day helps form a routine, and the more frequently you engage in the habit, the more automatic it becomes. This builds momentum, making it easier over time to sit down and study without needing extra motivation or discipline.

Why does the brain resist new habits, and how does this affect study habits?

The brain resists new habits because it prefers familiar routines. Initially, it takes effort and discipline to push through the resistance. However, as you continue practicing the habit, your brain starts to accept it, making it easier to maintain the behavior.

What role does frequency play in forming a study habit?

Frequency is more important than duration in habit formation. If you show up and study even for a short time every day, the habit becomes ingrained. Consistently turning up builds the habit, whereas focusing solely on studying for long periods can be discouraging and unsustainable.

How can accountability help in building a study habit?

Accountability helps by creating external motivation to stay consistent. Having a friend or group who checks in on your progress or challenges you can push you to study even on days when you don't feel like it. It also makes the commitment to studying feel more real.

What does it mean to 'go pro' in the context of study habits?

'Going pro' means showing up to study every day, regardless of how you feel. Even if you're not in the mood or don't feel productive, you still sit down and do the work. Over time, this consistency becomes the foundation of a strong study habit.

How can small study sessions, like studying for just 2 minutes, help improve your overall study routine?

Starting with small study sessions helps overcome resistance and makes it easier to start. Even if you study for only 2 minutes, you're establishing a routine of showing up. Over time, this leads to longer, more productive study sessions because you’ve made the habit automatic.

What is the significance of preparing your study environment for creating a study habit?

A prepared study environment removes friction, making it easier to start studying. If your materials are ready and your space is organized, it's less mentally taxing to sit down and begin. This preparation supports the formation of a consistent study habit.

Why is focusing on simply 'showing up' more important than optimizing study techniques?

Focusing on simply showing up is crucial because, without a consistent habit, all the study techniques in the world won't help. Once you've built the habit of studying regularly, you can then focus on optimizing techniques for better results. The key is establishing the routine first.