How I Ranked 1st at Monash University - 2 Mindset Shifts

Summary

In this video, Dr. Justin S shares key strategies for mastering a Master's degree while working full-time, focusing on two major mindset shifts. The first is to stop relying on grades as the sole measure of learning effectiveness, instead advocating for regular self-testing and seeking objective feedback. The second is to adopt a critical and skeptical approach to learning, questioning and evaluating information to build a strong foundation for future success. A bonus tip of dedicating 30 minutes daily for learning and reflection is also provided, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing personal growth.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker achieved high grades and received the Dean's award by implementing key strategies during their Master's at Mones University while working full-time.
• 🔄 The speaker emphasizes the importance of a mindset shift away from using grades as the sole measure of learning ability, which was a life-changing realization.
• 📚 In high school and early university, the speaker admits to inefficient studying habits, such as falling asleep and socializing more than focusing on learning.
• 🕒 The speaker discovered that reducing study hours without compromising results was possible by understanding what truly contributes to effective learning.
• 💯 The speaker aimed for quality in their Master's work, not just speed, understanding that fast but poor quality work is not beneficial.
• 🤔 The speaker experienced uncertainty and lack of confidence going into exams, realizing that study hours did not always correlate with better grades.
• 📝 The speaker suggests that frequent self-testing and seeking objective feedback are crucial for identifying knowledge gaps and improving learning efficiency.
• 👥 Having a study buddy to create and take mock exams can simulate real exam conditions and provide valuable practice.
• 🧐 The speaker encourages being critical and skeptical of all learned material to build a strong foundation for future learning and application.
• 🏆 The speaker's experience in medical school showed that just getting good grades was not enough to apply knowledge effectively in real-world scenarios.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Being ultra-critical and taking personal responsibility for understanding and evaluating information leads to deeper learning and retention.
• ⏰ The speaker recommends setting aside 30 minutes a day for focused learning and reflection, known as 'Priority Time,' to foster long-term learning habits.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial challenge while pursuing their Master's degree at Mones University?

The speaker wanted to complete their Master's degree while working full-time and also achieve the highest possible grades, which was a personal challenge.

How did the speaker rank in their cohort after a few weeks of studying for their Master's?

The speaker ranked first in their cohort and received the Deans award.

What is the purpose of the speaker's video?

The purpose of the video is to share two major changes the speaker made before starting their Master's degree, which made achieving high grades much easier.

What was the speaker's first major change in their approach to learning?

The first major change was to stop measuring learning ability based on grades and instead focus on getting real objective feedback on performance through frequent self-testing.

Why did the speaker feel that studying in the library during high school was not effective?

The speaker felt that studying in the library was not effective because they often fell asleep and spent time socializing with friends instead of focusing on studying.

What was the speaker's mindset regarding exam results before changing their learning approach?

The speaker used to view exam results as the main indicator of their learning effectiveness and felt uncertain and anxious about exams, hoping not to be asked certain types of questions.

How did the speaker approach studying during their undergraduate degree?

The speaker wanted to cut down on studying hours without compromising results but didn't know how, as they didn't understand what contributed to their results.

What is the speaker's advice on testing oneself during the learning process?

The speaker advises getting a study buddy, creating exams for each other, and doing practice exams under test conditions as part of the regular revision schedule.

What is the second major change the speaker made to their learning approach?

The second major change was to be critical and skeptical of everything learned, evaluating and critiquing information to build a strong foundation for future learning.

How did the speaker's approach to learning change after failing their first hospital placement?

The speaker realized the importance of building a strong foundation for future learning and started to be ultra-critical of what they learned, taking personal responsibility for forming independent evaluations.

What is the speaker's final tip for effective learning?

The final tip is to set aside 30 minutes a day for learning and reflection, which the speaker calls 'Priority Time,' to make sustainable changes in one's learning system.