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.