How To ABSORB WHAT YOU STUDY LIKE A SPONGE. 7 Smartest Strategies

Summary

In this educational video, Uncle Matt introduces seven strategies to enhance learning efficiency, comparing the brain to a sponge that effortlessly absorbs information. The strategies are built on four pillars: input, output, review, and application. Techniques include previewing content, focusing to multiply brain power, hand-writing notes for stronger retention, self-explanation, teaching others, taking absorption breaks, and systematic review. A bonus strategy emphasizes minimizing negative thinking for a positive learning attitude.

Takeaways

• 🧽 Absorb information like a sponge: Learn to retain and recall information effortlessly by using the right strategies.
• 🎥 Four learning pillars: Structure your learning capabilities around Input, Output, Review, and Application.
• 📚 Input is key: Prepare your mind for learning by previewing information before a deep dive into content.
• 🔍 Focus to multiply brain power: Eliminate distractions and concentrate to increase the effectiveness of learning.
• ✍️ Handwrite notes: Handwriting notes strengthens mental connections with the content compared to passive methods.
• 🗣️ Talk to yourself: Speaking out loud after learning helps evaluate your understanding and grasp of the information.
• 👥 Teach to learn: Explaining what you've learned to others reveals your strengths and weaknesses in understanding.
• 💤 Absorption breaks: Take short breaks or naps during study sessions to enhance information absorption and retention.
• 🔁 Systematic review: Use spaced repetition for long-term memory retention, studying a little at a time over a longer period.
• 💡 Minimize negative thinking: Maintain a positive attitude by focusing on the end result and monitoring self-talk.
• 🏆 Success depends on attitude: Your approach to learning, whether as a student or in business, hinges on a positive mindset.

Q & A

What are the seven smartest strategies mentioned in the script for absorbing information like a sponge?

The script outlines strategies such as previewing information, focusing to multiply brain power, hand-writing notes, talking to oneself out loud, explaining to someone else, taking absorption breaks, and reviewing information systematically.

What is the significance of the 'sponge' analogy used in the script?

The 'sponge' analogy is used to illustrate how quickly and effortlessly the brain can absorb information when the right strategies are applied, similar to how a sponge effortlessly absorbs water.

What does the script suggest as the first step in the learning process?

The first step suggested in the script is 'input,' which involves getting information from a source like a book, PowerPoint, or lecture and getting that information into your head.

Why is it important to preview information before a deep dive into the content?

Previewing information is important because it prepares the mind for what's going to be delivered, making it easier to absorb and understand the material when studied in-depth.

How does focusing enhance learning according to the script?

Focusing enhances learning by increasing brain power many times over, similar to how a magnifying glass focuses sunlight, allowing you to concentrate and absorb information more effectively.

What is the significance of hand-writing notes in the learning process as mentioned in the script?

Hand-writing notes creates a stronger mental connection with the content, as it is proven to be far superior to passive methods like underlining or highlighting, and even typing out notes.

What is the 'production effect' in learning and why is it important?

The 'production effect' refers to the phenomenon where learning occurs not just when information is put into the brain, but when it comes out of you, as in when you express or apply the knowledge, which reinforces the learning.

Why should you talk to yourself out loud after studying a chapter or lecture?

Talking to yourself out loud helps evaluate how much and how well you grasp the information, and it can reveal areas of strength and weakness in your understanding.

What is the benefit of explaining what you've learned to someone else?

Explaining what you've learned to someone else helps solidify your understanding and reveals gaps in knowledge, as teaching is considered one of the best ways to learn.

What are the two types of breaks suggested in the script for better information retention?

The two types of breaks suggested are taking a full night's sleep or a nap, and taking a 10 to 20-second break during a study session to relax and let the information sink in.

How does the script define 'systematic review' and why is it beneficial for long-term memory?

Systematic review, also known as spaced repetition, involves studying a little bit at a time over a longer period. It is beneficial for long-term memory because it allows for better retention and absorption of information compared to cramming.

What is the bonus strategy mentioned at the end of the script for successful learning?

The bonus strategy is to minimize negative thinking and focus on maintaining a positive attitude, which is crucial for success in learning and other areas of life.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Effective Learning Strategies

This paragraph introduces seven strategies to enhance learning efficiency, inspired by the effortless absorption of a sponge in water. The speaker, Uncle Matt, emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to learning, based on four pillars: input, output, review, and application. The focus is on understanding how to absorb information effectively through a one-time process and recalling it with ease, contrasting with traditional lengthy study sessions that often result in mediocre performance.

05:01

🧠 Maximizing Learning Through Focus and Output

The paragraph delves into the first two strategies for effective learning: previewing information to prepare the mind and focusing to multiply brain power. It highlights the detrimental effects of multitasking on focus and suggests eliminating distractions to concentrate better. The speaker also introduces the concept of multi-sensory perception (MSP), advocating for handwriting notes to create a stronger mental connection with the content, and the importance of talking out loud to oneself to evaluate understanding and explaining concepts to others to solidify learning.

10:03

💤 Absorption Breaks and Systematic Review

This paragraph discusses the benefits of taking absorption breaks, including sleep and short pauses, to enhance information retention. It introduces the concept of spaced repetition and the effectiveness of distributed practice over massed practice for long-term memory. The speaker also presents a bonus strategy of minimizing negative thinking and focusing on positive outcomes to maintain motivation and interest in learning, especially in challenging subjects.

Keywords

💡Absorb

Absorb refers to the process of taking in or assimilating information, knowledge, or a substance. In the context of the video, it is used metaphorically to describe the efficient and effortless way in which a sponge takes in water, akin to how the brain should take in new information. The script emphasizes the need to absorb information like a sponge, suggesting a natural and effective learning process.

💡Strategies

Strategies are systematic approaches or methods used to achieve a goal. The video outlines seven specific strategies for effective learning, each designed to enhance the absorption of information. These strategies are integral to the video's theme of improving study habits and retention of knowledge.

💡Input

Input is the process of receiving or taking in information from an external source. The script discusses the importance of input as the first part of the learning process, where information moves from a book, lecture, or other sources into the learner's mind. It is a foundational concept in the video's framework for enhancing learning capabilities.

💡Output

Output in the context of learning refers to the act of expressing or producing what has been learned. The video emphasizes that learning truly occurs when information is not just received but also produced by the learner, such as through discussing or teaching the material to others.

💡Review

Review is the act of looking over or going over material again to reinforce learning. In the script, review is described as a consolidation process, which is essential for the mind to digest information fully. It is part of the four pillars that support the learning structure presented in the video.

💡Application

Application is the practical use or implementation of knowledge or skills. The script mentions application as a key pillar of learning, highlighting the difference between theoretical understanding and the ability to apply concepts in practice, such as playing a piano scale or solving math problems.

💡Multi-sensory Perception (MSP)

Multi-sensory Perception (MSP) involves engaging multiple senses in the learning process to create a stronger mental imprint. The video suggests that using MSP, such as writing notes by hand or speaking out loud, can enhance the learning experience and retention of information.

💡Handwriting

Handwriting is the act of writing by hand rather than typing or using other methods. The script argues that handwriting notes is superior to passive highlighting or typing, as it creates a stronger mental connection with the content and is more effective for long-term retention.

💡Spaced Repetition

Spaced Repetition is a learning technique where material is reviewed at increasing intervals over time, which has been shown to improve long-term retention. The video recommends this method over cramming, suggesting that reviewing information in smaller chunks over time is more beneficial.

💡Consolidation

Consolidation in the context of learning refers to the process by which information is integrated into a person's long-term memory. The script discusses consolidation as a type of break, such as sleep or a brief pause, which helps in processing and retaining information more effectively.

💡Negative Thinking

Negative Thinking involves a focus on negative aspects or outcomes, which can hinder learning and motivation. The video advises minimizing negative thinking and focusing on positive self-talk and desired outcomes to enhance learning and personal growth.

Highlights

Seven smartest strategies to absorb information like a sponge for faster and less effort learning.

The analogy of a sponge absorbing water to illustrate the effortless nature of effective learning.

Four foundational pillars for learning: input, output, review, and application.

Importance of not just inputting information, but also outputting it to solidify learning.

The effectiveness of previewing information before a deep dive to prepare the mind.

The power of focus in multiplying brain power without additional energy or effort.

Handwriting notes as a superior method for creating a mental connection with content.

Talking to oneself out loud as a way to evaluate understanding and retention of information.

Teaching others as a method to solidify one's own understanding and identify knowledge gaps.

The concept of absorption breaks, including sleep and short breaks, to enhance information processing.

Systematic review of information through spaced repetition for better long-term memory retention.

Minimizing negative thinking and focusing on positive outcomes to enhance learning motivation.

The practicality of the strategies for students and their potential impact on academic and business success.

The comparison of learning in chunks over time versus cramming for immediate results.

The importance of self-talk in maintaining a positive attitude towards learning.

The encouragement to apply these strategies and share results for community learning.

A call to action for viewers to subscribe and engage with the channel for more learning strategies.

Transcripts

I'll bet you never thought about what it

really means to absorb information like

this before here are my seven smartest

strategies to absorb what you study like

a sponge imagine being able to learn

everything and anything you want faster

than ever and with far less effort that

would be great wouldn't it if it were

true hey there smart people your

favorite Uncle Matt here with a question

how much effort does it take for a

sponge to absorb water let's say the

pink water in this dish represents what

you want to learn and the sponge is your

brain look at how fast and effortlessly

the sponge absorbs it that's what we're

talking about here I'm going to give you

seven specific strategies that will

enable you to go through the information

one time using this system and be able

to retain it and recall it with ease

compare that to study sessions that take

hours upon hours only to deliver

mediocre grades and when you stay tuned

to the end I've got a Bonus strategy for

you that'll be the icing on the cake but

we need to have the cake first also if

you enjoy my channel I hope you

subscribe and ring that little bell to

be notified when I release a new video

if you haven't done so yet think about

the process like this it's like watching

a movie you don't sit there saying to

yourself wow I really have to

concentrate and work hard to remember

all this stuff no you simply allow it to

happen if I were to ask you about the

movie a week later you'd be able to tell

me all about it what took place is that

you let it happen you didn't force

yourself to make it happen the seven

strategies rest upon four pillars these

four pillars provide the foundation for

how you'll structure your new learning

cap capabilities the four pillars are

input output review application let's

elaborate input how you get the

information to go from The Source a book

PowerPoint recorded session or live

lecture and get that information into

your head unfortunately where most

students stop is during input but that's

just the first part of the process

output getting the information to flow

through you and be produced externally

by you you may have heard me talk about

the fact in other videos that learning

doesn't happen when you put the

information in but rather when the

information comes out of you I cover it

specifically in my video how to remember

more of what you study with the

production Effect Review this step is

also called consolidation you need to

take your time for your mind to digest

the information only in that way can it

be more fully

absorbed application this is simply the

manifestation of the phrase learn by

doing there's a big difference between

understanding how to play a scale on the

piano very rapidly and actually being

able to play it there's a big gap

between understanding the concept and

formulas for solving math problems and

then being able to do it yourself so now

here in order are the seven smartest

strategies to absorb what you study like

a sponge the first two deal with how you

input

information number one preview the

information before doing a deep dive

into the content pave the road to

prepare your mind for what's going to be

delivered it's like with the movies give

yourself previews of Coming

Attractions as I point out in my

Breakthrough video how to absorb

textbooks like a sponge you don't want

to read a textbook the same way you read

a novel that is to start at the

beginning of a chapter and read straight

through you first want to prepare

yourself for what you're about to read

by giving yourself multiple previews of

what's included in each chapter watch

that video for the specific details if

you haven't seen it yet if you're

attending a live lecture be sure to do

the appropriate reading in advance of

attending the class

with a PowerPoint presentation you

should look over the full slide deck in

a similar way to the textbook technique

look at all the slides quickly then go

back and read the headlines subheads and

captions and so forth with a recorded

video look to see if there's a table of

contents as with many YouTube videos

read the description to see if there are

chapters number two multiply your brain

power through

Focus yes without using any additional

energy or effort when you focus you

increase your brain power many times

over in the same way that children will

use a magnifying glass to burn leaves or

ants there is no more sunlight being

used than was there before using the

magnifying glass simply focuses what

solar energy is present but the power is

dramatically increased so stop doing

things that damage your focus

multitasking is the opposite of focus

eliminate all distractions with your

phone other people your surroundings and

whatever else may steal your attention

pay attention to what is being said

listen to the instructor during lectures

whether live or recorded pay attention

to your thoughts if you're reading and

begin thinking of other stuff catch

yourself doing it bring your mind back

to the present do it deliberately stop

your mind from

wandering our next three strategies deal

with output you want to use MSP which is

multi- sensory perception the more

senses you use when learning something

the stronger of a mental imprint you

create number three hand write your

notes it has been proven time and time

again that handwriting your notes

creates the strongest mental connection

with the content writing out information

by hand is far superior to underlining

or highlighting which are completely

passive and it is also dramatically

better than typing out your notes

whether using a note taking app or not

yes writing things out by hand takes

longer but in the long run it's actually

much faster because the information

stays in your head longer and with much

better clarity you don't have to write

everything down remember paro's law

which is often called the 8020 rule 80%

of the importance comes from only 20% of

the content concentrate your notes on

the 20% of the information that's most

important definitions formulas examples

and so forth number four talk to

yourself out loud after you've gone

through one chapter or one lecture

stop and talk to yourself out loud for a

few minutes tell yourself what you've

learned you may have to do it several

times if it's a long lecture you will

often find that even though you heard

what was said you may have difficulty in

simply repeating some of the ideas

talking to yourself enables you to

evaluate how much and how well you grasp

the information number five explain what

you learned to someone else there's an

old expression whose meaning may become

clearer to you now the best way to learn

is to teach one of the chief advantages

of having a study budy or a study group

is that you have other like-minded

people you can talk to about what you're

learning do your best to explain things

as simply as possible this process will

reveal where you're strong and also your

weaknesses so you can go back and for y

yourself especially when they ask you

questions number six take absorption

breakes this is also called

consolidation there are two types of

breaks that are proven to help you

process and retain information better

the first is to Simply get some sleep I

discussed that Concept in more detail in

my video boost brain power with the

Sleep sandwich technique you study and

get some sleep then immediately upon

arising study the same topic you'll be

impressed at how well it works this

isn't limited to getting a full night's

sleep you can get the same effect with a

20-minute

catnap however recent Studies have shown

that by simply taking a 10 to 20 second

break during your study session you can

dramatically increase your brain's

absorption rates the idea is that after

studying for 30 minutes or so you take a

20 second break where you do nothing you

don't even have to close your eyes but

you can you don't look at your phone you

don't have a conversation with someone

else you don't do anything other than

just relax and let what you've studied

sink in some people claim it multiplies

your retention by as much as 20 times

you heard me 20 times wow number s

review the information systematically

this is also called spaced repetition

psychologists refer to this as mass

versus distributed practice which is

better study a little bit at a time over

a longer period or hunker down and do a

marathon study session well in a

nutshell it's better for your long-term

memory if you do a little a lot rather

than doing a lot for a little it's not

double talk when you do a little bit

over the course of a lot of sessions

it's better than when you try to cram a

lot of information into a little bit of

time the great martial artist Bruce Lee

shared this idea from his unique

perspective he said I fear not the man

who has practiced 10,000 kicks once but

I fear the man who has practiced one

kick 10,000 times when you study it's

far better to do it in bite-sized chunks

over a longer period of time you want to

review it the same way review a few

important points several days in a row

that doesn't mean that cramming has no

value but you want to reserve it for

when you've got no other options you can

learn the best way to prepare for an

important exam at the last minute with

my video last second exam prep

strategies when you've

procrastinated well I promised you a

bonus and it's a big one in fact your

entire success either as a student or in

business depends on you doing this one

thing minimize negative thinking notice

I didn't say to eliminate your negative

thoughts I said for you to minimize them

it's foolish to ignore the negatives in

life but it's even worse if you dwell on

them instead Focus your energy on

maintaining a positive attitude the way

to do that is to monitor your selft talk

what are the things you say to yourself

and to others if you have a class that

you're not interested in stop saying

things like it's boring the truth is

that it is not boring you are bored big

difference the solution is to think

about the outcome you want for example

if you have a chemistry class that's

causing you trouble and it's not holding

your attention but you need to pass in

order to become a doctor

then you must Focus your thoughts on

becoming a doctor that is where you'll

find the personal strength to power

through those tough classes Focus your

thoughts on the end result you're

striving to achieve see yourself

successfully accomplishing that goal for

that is where you'll gain the power to

make it your reality we've covered a ton

of stuff in this lesson go back and take

a look at each of the four pillars and

seven strategies you'll see that none of

them require you to work very hard you

don't have to put in much effort to

preview your lessons put away your phone

and other distractions hand write the

most important part of your notes talk

to yourself out loud talk to a study

buddy about what you've learned take

naps or 20 second breaks and review the

information a little bit at a time on a

regular basis it's just like that sponge

it doesn't take much effort but you can

absorb a lot more of what you study and

do it faster and easier than ever before

leave a comment about which of these

strategies you intend to put into use

more often or let us know what results

you get with these strategies I read all

your comments and reply to a great many

of them next I have these two videos

picked out for you to watch I think

you'll enjoy them and I'll look forward

to having you join me on my next video

soon thanks for watching