Psychology Professor's Viral Study Techniques: A+ Students Love It! (Part 1)
Summary
TLDRIn 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
- π Break up study sessions into smaller chunks with scheduled breaks to improve memory, reduce stress, and boost performance and creativity.
- π Create a designated study area that is only used for studying to train your brain to associate that space with learning.
- π‘ Use a 'study lamp' in your designated area to further reinforce the association between the space and studying, enhancing focus and efficiency.
- π§ Understand the difference between memorizing facts and grasping concepts; focusing on conceptual understanding can lead to deeper and more lasting learning.
- π 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.
- π Establish a consistent sleep schedule and follow sleep hygiene practices to ensure adequate rest and enhance learning capabilities.
- ποΈββοΈ Engage in physical activity within a few hours of your bedtime to improve sleep quality and potentially academic performance.
- π« Limit caffeine intake and avoid electronic screens close to bedtime to facilitate better sleep and, by extension, better learning.
- π Recognize that deep conceptual learning is distinct from surface learning and involves thinking, discussing, and questioning to truly understand material.
- π 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.
- π 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
π 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.
π§ 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Study Skills
π‘Efficiency
π‘Study Breaks
π‘Study Area
π‘Memorization
π‘Conceptual Learning
π‘Sleep
π‘REM Sleep
π‘Motivation
π‘Habits
π‘Academic Performance
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
[Music]
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