How I SAVE 10+ Hours a Week By Prestudying (The New Way I Study)

Summary

In this educational video, Archer, a second-year medical student, emphasizes the importance of pre-study as a strategic learning technique. He explains that pre-study is not about early studying but creating a mental 'bookshelf' to optimize understanding and recall. By breaking down complex topics into smaller, interconnected concepts, or 'chunking', students can prime their brains for faster learning and save time in the long run. Archer also discusses advanced pre-study methods, including syntopical reading across multiple lectures to uncover hidden relationships between concepts.

Takeaways

• 📚 Pre-study is not the same as early studying; it's about creating a framework for understanding before diving deep into content.
• 🕒 The concept of 'one hour of pre-study saves 10 hours of studying later' highlights the efficiency of pre-studying.
• 🧠 Pre-study is crucial for structural priming, which helps in building relationships between different pieces of information and concepts.
• 📚 The importance of not learning the nitty-gritty details during pre-study to avoid turning it into early studying.
• 🔍 Pre-study involves breaking down complex subjects into smaller, more manageable chunks, a process known as 'chunking'.
• 📈 The script emphasizes the importance of understanding the hierarchy and relationships within the content, akin to organizing books on a bookshelf.
• 🤔 Inquiry-based learning during pre-study helps in understanding why certain topics are important and how they fit into the bigger picture.
• 🔑 Pre-study should be a quick process to create a preliminary understanding, not a detailed study session.
• 🔄 The process of verifying and adjusting the hierarchy of concepts during actual lectures or studying sessions is essential for solidifying understanding.
• 🌐 Syntopical reading, or studying multiple lectures or areas at once, can reveal hidden relationships and improve the efficiency of pre-study.
• 📝 The speaker suggests using mind mapping as an effective note-taking method that aligns well with the pre-study process.

Q & A

What is pre-study and how does it differ from early studying?

Pre-study involves organizing and priming your brain to understand the relationships between concepts before they are taught in class. It is not about learning all the details in advance, unlike early studying, which is essentially studying the material ahead of time in detail.

What are the benefits of pre-study according to Archer?

Pre-study can save significant time in the long run. One hour of effective pre-study can save up to ten hours of studying later on because it helps in structural priming, which makes it easier to build relationships between concepts.

Why did Archer initially think pre-study was a waste of time?

Archer believed that it was more efficient to go through content as it was taught in class rather than spending time pre-studying. He thought it would be better to learn the material when he first encountered it during lectures.

What analogy does Archer use to explain the importance of pre-study?

Archer compares pre-study to organizing information in a bookshelf rather than stacking books in a pile. A bookshelf allows for easier access and retrieval of information, whereas a pile of books is disorganized and time-consuming to navigate.

What is the concept of 'structural priming' in the context of pre-study?

Structural priming involves organizing information in a way that helps the brain build relationships between different concepts, making it easier to understand and recall information later.

How does Archer suggest breaking down complex topics during pre-study?

Archer suggests using the concept of chunking, which involves breaking down a large topic into smaller, more manageable pieces. This helps in understanding and retaining the information more effectively.

What is the role of inquiry-based learning in pre-study?

Inquiry-based learning involves asking questions and seeking answers actively during pre-study. This approach helps in making the material relevant and engaging, which enhances understanding and retention.

How does Archer recommend verifying the hierarchy created during pre-study?

Archer recommends verifying the hierarchy of concepts created during pre-study by cross-referencing with lecture slides, textbooks, or directly asking questions online to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information.

What is syntopical reading and how does it relate to advanced pre-study?

Syntopical reading involves studying multiple lectures or topics at once to see the relationships between them. This advanced technique helps in creating a more comprehensive understanding of the material and saves time by building connections between concepts from different lectures.

What is the main caution Archer gives about pre-study?

Archer cautions against spending too much time on pre-study, as it can lead to diving into the details of the content, which is not the goal. Pre-study should be shorter and more focused on organizing and priming for later detailed study.