Psychology Professor's Viral Study Techniques: A+ Students Love It! (Part 1)

Summary

In this educational video, Dr. Marty Lobdell, a psychology professor, introduces four key study skills to transform average students into A+ achievers within a semester. The rules include taking strategic breaks to boost memory and creativity, creating a dedicated study area to enhance focus, prioritizing deep conceptual learning over rote memorization, and emphasizing the importance of adequate sleep for memory consolidation. These strategies aim to make studying more efficient and effective, leading to improved academic performance.

Takeaways

• 📚 Break up study sessions into smaller chunks with scheduled breaks to improve memory, reduce stress, and boost performance and creativity.
• 🏠 Create a designated study area that is only used for studying to train your brain to associate that space with learning.
• 💡 Use a 'study lamp' in your designated area to further reinforce the association between the space and studying, enhancing focus and efficiency.
• 🧠 Understand the difference between memorizing facts and grasping concepts; focusing on conceptual understanding can lead to deeper and more lasting learning.
• 🌙 Prioritize sleep as it plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, with REM sleep being particularly important for converting short-term memories into long-term ones.
• 🛌 Establish a consistent sleep schedule and follow sleep hygiene practices to ensure adequate rest and enhance learning capabilities.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Engage in physical activity within a few hours of your bedtime to improve sleep quality and potentially academic performance.
• 🚫 Limit caffeine intake and avoid electronic screens close to bedtime to facilitate better sleep and, by extension, better learning.
• 🎓 Recognize that deep conceptual learning is distinct from surface learning and involves thinking, discussing, and questioning to truly understand material.
• 🌐 Study breaks can be used as a reward system, where you enjoy a short break or treat after a focused study session, motivating you to be more productive.
• 📈 Implementing these study strategies can lead to significant improvements in academic performance, as evidenced by the one grade point increase in the study mentioned.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Dr. Marty Lobdell's course on College study skills?

The course focuses on teaching students how to study efficiently and effectively, transforming them from average students to A+ students within a semester.

According to the script, what is the first rule for studying smarter and why is it important?

The first rule is that the moment you start to slide, you're shoveling against the tide, which means taking breaks is crucial for effective studying. This is because continuous studying for extended periods can hinder learning, whereas breaking up study time into smaller chunks can improve memory, reduce stress, and boost performance and creativity.

What is the recommended duration for a study session before taking a break according to the script?

The script suggests studying for half an hour before taking a break to recharge.

What are the benefits of taking study breaks as mentioned in the script?

The benefits of taking study breaks include improved memory, reduced stress, improved health, increased energy, and boosts to performance and creativity.

How can creating a study area help with studying according to the script?

Creating a designated study area trains the brain to associate that space with studying, making it easier to focus and study effectively. It also helps to avoid distractions and multi-tasking that can occur in multi-purpose rooms.

What is the significance of using a 'study lamp' in the study area as per the script?

The 'study lamp' is used only for studying, creating a visual cue that signals it's time to study when the lamp is turned on. This helps to train the brain to automatically focus on studying when seated in the study area with the lamp on.

What are some characteristics of an effective study area according to Joyce University?

An effective study area should be well-lit, have noise and light control, and include personal touches that motivate the student.

Why is rote memorization not the most efficient method for learning in college according to the script?

Rote memorization is not the most efficient because it only covers memorizing facts without understanding the underlying concepts, which is crucial for deep learning and long-term retention.

What is the difference between deep conceptual learning and surface learning as per the script?

Deep conceptual learning involves thinking, discussing, and questioning more to understand concepts rather than just memorizing facts. Surface learning, on the other hand, focuses on memorization without delving into the understanding of concepts.

Why is sleep important for effective studying and what happens if it's inadequate?

Sleep is important because it aids in the consolidation process, where information transitions from short-term to long-term memory. Inadequate sleep can hinder this process, leading to poor memory retention and reduced learning efficiency.

What are some tips from Harvard's summer school for getting a more restful sleep?

Tips include limiting caffeine close to bedtime, avoiding electronic screens an hour before bedtime, engaging in physical activity within two hours of bedtime, and establishing a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Effective Study Techniques for Students

Dr. Marty Lobdell, a psychology professor, developed a course on college study skills to address common issues students face with studying. The first rule emphasizes the importance of taking breaks after every 30 minutes of study to recharge and improve memory, reduce stress, and enhance performance and creativity. Creating a designated study area and using cues like a 'study lamp' can train the brain to associate the space with focused study, leading to better academic results. The summary also touches on the benefits of breaking up study sessions and using rewards to stay motivated.

05:01

🧠 Understanding Concepts Over Memorization

This paragraph highlights the difference between memorizing facts and understanding concepts in college learning. Deep conceptual learning (DCL) is contrasted with surface learning, with the former involving more thought, discussion, and questioning to achieve a deeper understanding. The importance of grasping concepts for long-term retention is emphasized, as opposed to merely memorizing facts. The paragraph also discusses the impact of sleep on learning, explaining how inadequate sleep can hinder the consolidation of memories. Tips for better sleep, such as limiting caffeine, avoiding screens before bedtime, engaging in physical activity, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, are provided to enhance learning efficiency.

Keywords

💡Study Skills

Study skills refer to the techniques and strategies that students use to learn and retain information more effectively. In the video, Dr. Marty Lobdell emphasizes the importance of developing efficient study habits to transform average students into high achievers. The video discusses various study skills such as taking breaks, creating a study area, understanding concepts, and prioritizing sleep.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency in studying is the ability to achieve more with less time and effort. The video script highlights the need for students to study smarter, not harder, by breaking their study sessions into smaller chunks and taking breaks to recharge. This approach is shown to improve memory, reduce stress, and boost performance and creativity, ultimately leading to more efficient learning.

💡Study Breaks

Study breaks are short periods of rest taken during study sessions to prevent mental fatigue and enhance retention. The video mentions that taking breaks can improve memory, reduce stress, and boost energy and creativity. It suggests a half-hour study followed by a five-minute break as an effective method to maintain focus and productivity.

💡Study Area

A study area is a designated space where a student focuses solely on studying. The video explains that creating a dedicated study area can help students get into the right mindset for learning. It also discusses an experiment where students used a 'study lamp' to signal that it was time to study, which led to improved academic performance.

💡Memorization

Memorization is the process of committing information to memory through repetition. While it is a common study technique, the video emphasizes that it is only effective for remembering facts. The script suggests that understanding concepts is more important for long-term retention and application in exams and papers.

💡Conceptual Learning

Conceptual learning involves grasping the underlying principles and ideas behind the facts. The video contrasts memorization with conceptual learning, stating that understanding concepts leads to a deeper and more lasting understanding of the subject matter. This approach is crucial for students to apply their knowledge in various contexts.

💡Sleep

Sleep is essential for consolidating and storing information in long-term memory. The video discusses the role of REM sleep in memory consolidation and how inadequate sleep can hinder learning. It also provides tips from Harvard's summer school on how to improve sleep quality, emphasizing the importance of a consistent sleep schedule.

💡REM Sleep

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is a stage of sleep associated with memory consolidation. The video script explains that REM sleep is crucial for the brain to store information permanently. It suggests that without sufficient REM sleep, the brain cannot effectively consolidate and store new information, impacting learning and memory.

💡Motivation

Motivation is the drive or desire to achieve a goal, such as studying effectively. The video mentions the use of rewards, like a treat after a study session, to motivate students to be more productive. It also discusses the importance of creating a study routine that eventually becomes a habit, which can further enhance motivation.

💡Habits

Habits are regular patterns of behavior that are performed automatically. The video script suggests that creating a study routine can eventually lead to the formation of habits, which can help students study more efficiently. Habits, once formed, can reduce the mental effort required to engage in study activities.

💡Academic Performance

Academic performance refers to the level of achievement in educational activities, such as exams and assignments. The video script connects various study skills and habits to improved academic performance. It suggests that by implementing effective study strategies, students can enhance their understanding and retention of information, leading to better grades.

Highlights

Dr. Marty Lobdell created a course on College study skills to help students study efficiently and effectively.

Rule 1: Break up study time into smaller chunks with scheduled breaks to improve memory, reduce stress, and boost performance and creativity.

Taking study breaks can recharge your batteries and make studying more effective.

Creating a designated study area can train your brain to associate that space with studying, increasing focus and productivity.

Using a 'study lamp' in a specific area can help reinforce the association between that space and studying.

Students who created a study area saw a one grade point increase the next term compared to the control group.

Memorization is important, but understanding concepts is crucial for deep learning and long-term retention.

Deep conceptual learning involves thinking, discussing, and questioning more, leading to a stronger grasp of the material.

Facts are discrete pieces of information, while concepts involve understanding the function and purpose of those facts.

In college, professors are more concerned with students grasping concepts rather than just memorizing facts.

Adequate sleep is essential for the consolidation of memories from short-term to long-term storage.

REM sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, and not getting enough sleep can hinder learning.

Students who improved their sleep habits saw a significant improvement in their academic performance.

Harvard's summer school suggests limiting caffeine, avoiding screens before bedtime, and engaging in physical activity to improve sleep.

Establishing a consistent sleep schedule can help train your body to get better rest and support academic success.

Creating a study routine that becomes a habit is key to acing your academic life.

Transcripts

[Music]

foreign

I wish somebody had told me these things

when I was a student the first time it

would have been a lot easier

Dr Marty Lobdell is a psychology

Professor who created a course on

College study skills he realized that

many students had issues with proper

studying and made it his mission to

create a course that allowed students to

learn to study efficiently and

effectively taking them from average

students to a plus in a semester's time

in this video we'll go over the first

four rules for studying smarter not

harder

first rule the moment you start to slide

you're shoveling against the tide

what you need to do is what

take a break here's what's cool about it

you can study for a half hour it doesn't

take a half hour break to recharge your

batteries for most people about five

minutes

we always dread sitting down to study

for extended periods of time but what

you may not realize is that you are

hindering yourself from studying

effectively if you do this as Marty

Lobdell explains in his lecture things

that are reinforced we tend to do more

of things that are punished or ignored

we tend to do less of

this can transfer to how we study as

well if we dread sitting down to study

for five hours straight we aren't going

to study nearly as well as if we break

up our study into smaller chunks of time

according to London's Global University

five of the benefits of taking study

breaks include improved memory reduced

stress improved health and boosts to

your energy as well as boosting your

performance and creativity

the main point to take away from this is

to make sure to break up your study time

from longer periods to Shorter ones with

scheduled breaks as a bonus add on a

well-deserved treat at the end of the

study time it'll help motivate you to be

more productive during your allotted

study time

and this is where you go away do

something fun for five minutes call a

friend talk to a child talk to a parent

a roommate enjoy some music do something

you enjoy and actually say this is my

treat for having studied for 30 minutes

effectively go back and here's what

happens

your efficiency is nearly a hundred

percent study a half hour take a break

study a half hour study a half hour

creating a study area is one of the best

ways to help you when it comes to

studying researchers ask the students

what's the biggest problem with studying

they said we can't get into it the

university in question had primarily

dorm rooms one side bed another side of

bed study area study area right in one

room you sleep you groom you talk with

people you socialize you study you snack

it's a multi-purpose room

and yet you're supposed to study

as Marty explains we have certain cues

as people when in certain areas of our

homes by using a designated study area

where all you do is study you train your

brain and yourself that this is the area

where you study and that's all it is

used for in the Hawaiian dorms all of

the rooms had a gooseneck lamp so the

professor said we're going to try a

little experiment take that lamp make a

little sign and put it on it study lamp

use it only for studying you don't dress

by it you don't have BS sessions by you

know it's snack bite you don't clean the

Roomba it nothing use the other lights

for all other functions you're ready to

go turn on the lamp and start studying

the moment you lose your Edge 15 20 30

minutes later turn the lamp off get up

and leave the desk what you're training

yourself to study while seated there and

it becomes increasingly automatic you

sit turn the lamp on and you're ready to

go it's like magic this students who did

that were one grade point higher the

next term compared to the control group

that didn't do it one great Point simply

by creating a study area

not sure how to create a good study

space

according to Joyce University make sure

your study area is well lit has noise

and light control as well as some

personal touches that will help motivate

you when you don't feel like studying

these are some of the best ways to

create a study environment that keeps

you motivated and happy

memorization is a great way to remember

facts but not every class you are in

wants you to know just facts lots of

classes do a combination of both

memorization effects and understanding

of Concepts if you can memorize facts

you are only halfway there when you're

reading it over and over or saying it

over and over

the term for that is wrote memorization

spelled rot it can work it is the way

most of us were taught in elementary

school and some of you may be darn good

at it but for most of us it's not the

most efficient or effective way the way

to learn efficiently in college first

you have to decide what am I learning is

it a concept or a fact

students who understand the importance

of Concepts have a stronger and more

powerful grasp on what they need to know

for their upcoming exams by

understanding what the concept is you

are able to remember it for your exams

papers and the rest of your life

according to the Department of Education

research suggests deep conceptual

learning DCL is distinctly different

than surface learning deep conceptual

Learners tend to think discuss and

question more seeking to understand

rather than only memorize

a fact is the discreet little piece of

information

understanding the name of a bone is a

fact understanding what it does in the

body gets into a concept so in studying

sometimes there are a lot of facts in

fact I use Anatomy as a good example you

got to memorize bones muscles organs

tissues a lot of it but if you simply

memorize and don't understand the

function of it the comprehension of the

actual Concepts

it's a lot of wasted learning really

just to know a name of a bone is like

yeah so what what does it do how does it

function but in most college classes

what we as professors are most concerned

about is that you grasp the concept

because Concepts once grasped will stay

with you a lifetime

by being able to not only memorize but

dive deeper into your study topics you

can become more efficient in your

learning and have a better grasp on your

subject material

most of you undo good studying by not

sleeping adequately some of the latest

work on

we're not sure exactly how but there's

something going on it involves the

hippocampus and involves the storage

from a transitory long-term memory to a

permanent what we call consolidation but

we're getting increasing evidence that

that consolidation process is dependent

on rapid eye movement sleep

which if you're an adult happens about

every hour and a half once you fall

asleep if you're not getting a good

night typically around eight hours

you're not getting enough REM what

you've studied doesn't become permanent

and I can tell you there are studies

that show simply by getting better rest

some students improve markedly in their

performance because their brain now

stores it a lot more efficiently without

a good sleep your brain cannot function

properly and will not be able to absorb

the information you are trying to learn

by the way if you know anybody with

sleep apnea biggest thing they'll tell

you is I can't remember anything my

brain shot it's like my memory is gone

yeah it is because your reming isn't

happening because you wake up so often

and you can't consolidate and Store

permanent memories if you have trouble

prioritizing sleep Harvard's summer

school has a few tips for you to try to

get a more restful sleep try limiting

caffeine close to bedtime avoid

electronic screens an hour before

bedtime and engage in physical activity

two hours within your bedtime window

make sure to establish a sleep schedule

by going to bed at the same time and

waking up at the same time every day it

will help train you to get to bed

by prioritizing your sleep you will help

create a healthy routine that not only

benefits your academic life but other

aspects of your life as well

remember dreams don't work unless you do

by creating a study routine that

eventually becomes a habit you'll be

acing your academic life in no time

to hear four more study tips to help you

Ace your studies stay tuned for part two

thanks for watching

[Music]

[Music]

thank you

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