How I avoid feeling overwhelmed when studying MASSIVE content

Summary

In this video, Justin shares his unconventional approach to tackling a daunting 900-page textbook in just three days while battling illness. He emphasizes the importance of learning in a way that's relevant and meaningful to the individual, rather than following a linear order. Justin suggests skimming and focusing on content that resonates, building a strong foundation and gradually adding layers of knowledge. He also introduces Shortform, a service that offers book summaries and compares ideas across various sources, as a helpful tool for efficient learning.

Takeaways

• 😷 The speaker is sick with COVID-19 but still plans to study and make the most of the situation.
• 📚 The speaker has 900 pages of textbook material to cover in three days, but suggests focusing on what's most relevant rather than trying to cover everything linearly.
• 🤔 Learning in a linear order, as presented in a textbook, may not be the best approach. The speaker emphasizes that knowledge should be prioritized based on relevance to the learner.
• 🔍 The speaker plans to skim through the textbook and pick out the most relevant sections instead of reading it all page by page.
• 🧠 The strategy involves building a broad, fundamental understanding on day one, then deepening that understanding over the following days.
• 📖 The speaker suggests that learning is more effective when it follows a path of relevance rather than a strict order, allowing for better retention and understanding.
• 📅 By day three, the speaker aims to have a deeper mastery of the material, even if it means not achieving 100% retention.
• ⚖️ The approach is about making learning less overwhelming by focusing on the most relevant and impactful content.
• 🔗 Creating anchor points and prior knowledge helps make new information easier to learn and retain.
• 💡 The speaker emphasizes the importance of relevance in learning, as it helps reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and enhances understanding.

Q & A

Why does Justin feel overwhelmed about studying?

Justin feels overwhelmed because he has to study 900 pages of a textbook in three days while also dealing with COVID-19, which is affecting his cognitive function and focus.

What mistake does Justin mention people often make when approaching large volumes of study material?

Justin mentions that people often make the mistake of trying to study in a linear order, focusing on getting through a certain number of pages each day, which he argues is not the most effective approach.

How does Justin suggest approaching the study of a large textbook?

Justin suggests skimming through the textbook and focusing on the most relevant information, rather than trying to go through it in a linear order. He emphasizes building a fundamental understanding by selecting the content that is most relevant and makes the most sense for his brain.

What is the purpose of going through the entire textbook in one day, according to Justin?

The purpose of going through the entire textbook in one day is to create anchor points and build a strong foundation by identifying the most relevant and understandable information, which will make it easier to learn more detailed content in the following days.

Why does Justin plan to go through the textbook multiple times?

Justin plans to go through the textbook multiple times because each pass will allow him to build on the prior knowledge he gained from the previous day, making the content easier to understand and retain.

How does Justin address the concern of missing important information by not following a linear study order?

Justin acknowledges that he might miss some information by not following a linear order, but he believes that by repeatedly going through the material and focusing on the most relevant parts, he will eventually cover all important concepts.

What does Justin mean by 'path of least resistance' in the context of studying?

The 'path of least resistance' refers to Justin's strategy of focusing on the content that is most relevant and easiest to understand for his brain, rather than trying to force himself to study in a way that doesn't align with how his mind processes information.

Why does Justin think his approach will reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed?

Justin believes his approach will reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed because it allows him to focus on the most relevant and manageable chunks of information, rather than trying to cover an unrealistic amount of material in a rigid, linear way.

What advice does Justin give for creating relevance in new information when studying?

Justin advises starting with prior knowledge to create relevance, which then makes new information easier to understand and retain. Building a broad, fundamental understanding before diving into more detailed content is key.

How does Justin's perspective on studying differ from traditional methods?

Justin's perspective differs from traditional methods in that he advocates for a non-linear, relevance-based approach to studying. He focuses on understanding the material in a way that makes the most sense for his brain, rather than adhering to a strict page-by-page approach.