7 mistakes every student should avoid
Summary
TLDRThis video script emphasizes that studying effectively is more crucial than the hours spent. It highlights common study mistakes, such as passive listening in class, failing to connect concepts, staying in the comfort zone, over-optimizing study systems, fearing judgment, holding preconceived notions, and disregarding sleep. The speaker encourages students to be aware of these pitfalls, to ask questions without fear, and to challenge their weaknesses for a deeper understanding and better academic performance.
Takeaways
- π The amount of time spent studying is less important than the quality of the study process.
- π Active listening in class is crucial; it involves understanding the deeper message rather than just hearing the words.
- π Taking fewer notes can improve comprehension; it encourages digesting the idea before jotting it down in your own words.
- π Connecting the dots between different subjects and concepts helps in gaining a deeper understanding of the material.
- π Stepping out of your comfort zone during study sessions can lead to better learning outcomes by tackling unfamiliar or difficult concepts.
- π§ Being adaptable in your study methods is important; don't let rigid systems or tools impede your learning process.
- π ββοΈ Overcoming the fear of judgment is essential for asking questions and seeking help, which are vital for learning.
- π‘ Letting go of preconceived notions about your abilities can open up possibilities for improvement in areas you find challenging.
- π€ Prioritizing sleep is vital for academic performance; inadequate sleep can negatively impact GPA and cognitive function.
- π Implementing strategies to improve sleep, such as setting screen time limits and avoiding phone use before bed, can enhance study effectiveness.
- π€ Recognizing that support systems, like teachers, friends, and family, are there to help and are not as judgmental as one might think can encourage seeking assistance.
Q & A
What is the main message of the video regarding studying?
-The main message of the video is that the amount of time spent studying is less important than the quality of the study process. Effective studying involves active listening, connecting concepts, stepping out of comfort zones, and avoiding common mistakes that hinder learning.
What is the first study mistake discussed in the video?
-The first study mistake discussed is not fully being present when listening to lectures, which means hearing but not truly listening and understanding the deeper message being conveyed.
How does the video suggest improving listening skills during lectures?
-The video suggests improving listening skills by taking fewer notes, pausing to digest ideas, and jotting down notes in your own words to ensure better comprehension.
What is the importance of connecting the dots when studying, as mentioned in the video?
-Connecting the dots is important because it helps students understand how individual facts and concepts relate to broader themes, leading to a richer and deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Why should students avoid staying in their comfort zone while studying, according to the video?
-Students should avoid staying in their comfort zone because it is through tackling unfamiliar and challenging concepts that they truly learn and grow academically.
What is the potential issue with having a rigid study routine, as highlighted in the video?
-Having a rigid study routine can become an issue when it impedes learning or when students are in environments where they cannot adhere to their usual study conditions, thus reducing their adaptability.
How does the video address the fear of judgment in the learning process?
-The video encourages students to overcome the fear of judgment by acknowledging that asking questions and seeking help is a normal part of learning, and that others are generally more supportive and less judgmental than students might assume.
What is the impact of preconceived notions on academic performance, as discussed in the video?
-Preconceived notions can negatively impact academic performance by creating a self-fulfilling prophecy where students underperform because they believe they are not capable in a certain subject.
Why is sleep important for students, and what is the relationship between sleep and GPA as mentioned in the video?
-Sleep is important for students because it improves concentration, energy, reduces stress, and enhances memory. The video cites a study showing that students who sleep 9 or more hours a night have a significantly higher GPA compared to those who sleep six or fewer hours.
What are some recommendations given in the video to improve sleep habits for students?
-The video recommends setting screen time limits on social media apps, especially on weekdays, and avoiding phone use at least an hour before bed to improve sleep habits.
Outlines
π Effective Study Techniques Over Time Spent
This paragraph emphasizes the importance of study quality over quantity. The speaker shares personal observations from high school, noting that some students could excel with minimal study time while others struggled despite longer hours. The video promises to address common study mistakes and offers strategies to improve study effectiveness. The first mistake discussed is a lack of active listening in the classroom, which leads to a superficial understanding of the material. The speaker suggests taking fewer notes to encourage deeper comprehension and engagement with the material.
π Connecting Dots Between Concepts for Better Learning
The second paragraph highlights the importance of making connections between different concepts learned in school. It argues against treating education as a mere memorization exercise and instead encourages students to see how ideas relate to broader themes. The speaker uses the example of photosynthesis in biology to illustrate how understanding its connections to other concepts like cellular respiration and the carbon cycle can lead to a deeper grasp of the subject. The paragraph also touches on the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and tackling challenging topics directly.
π οΈ Over-Optimizing Study Systems and Fear of Judgment
This paragraph discusses the pitfalls of over-optimizing study systems and the fear of judgment that can hinder the learning process. The speaker warns against becoming too attached to specific study formats or tools, as this can limit flexibility and impede learning in different environments. The paragraph also addresses the common anxiety of asking questions in class due to fear of judgment, emphasizing that learning requires vulnerability and that seeking help is essential for progress.
π‘ Challenging Preconceived Notions and the Importance of Sleep
The final paragraph addresses the issue of preconceived notions about one's abilities, which can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy of struggle in certain subjects. The speaker encourages students to challenge these beliefs and remain open to improvement. Additionally, the importance of sleep for academic performance is underscored, with the speaker sharing personal experiences and citing a study that links sleep duration to GPA. Practical tips for improving sleep habits are provided, such as setting screen time limits and avoiding phone use before bed.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Study Efficiency
π‘Active Listening
π‘Note-Taking
π‘Connecting Dots
π‘Comfort Zone
π‘Study Techniques
π‘Judgment
π‘Preconceived Notions
π‘Sleep
π‘Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
π‘Cognitive Functions
Highlights
The amount of time spent studying is less important than the quality of the study session.
Students who study for less time can outperform those who study longer if they engage more deeply with the material.
Active listening in the classroom is crucial for understanding the deeper message of the lecture.
Taking fewer notes can improve understanding by allowing time to digest the information.
Connecting the dots between different subjects and concepts is essential for a comprehensive understanding.
Staying in your comfort zone can hinder effective learning; it's important to tackle difficult concepts.
Preconceived study methods and environments can limit flexibility and adaptability in learning.
Over-optimizing study techniques can impede learning when rigidly adhered to without adaptability.
Fear of judgment can prevent students from asking questions and seeking help, which is vital for learning.
Clinging to preconceived notions about one's abilities can become a self-fulfilling prophecy and limit academic growth.
Disregarding sleep can significantly impact academic performance; adequate sleep is linked to higher GPAs.
Students should reflect on their weaknesses and consider that they might improve with a different approach or mindset.
The importance of sleep for concentration, energy, stress reduction, and memory improvement cannot be overstated.
Setting screen time limits and avoiding phone use before bed can improve sleep quality and academic performance.
The Pomodoro Technique is a useful study tool, but students should adapt it to their own energy levels rather than following it rigidly.
Students often underestimate their own intelligence and potential, which can be unlocked with the right support and mindset.
The video concludes with a call to action for students to join a Discord community for homework help and to subscribe for more educational content.
Transcripts
I'm here to break some important news
and look you might not be that happy but
I think it's important you know this the
amount of time you study doesn't matter
back in high school I realized there
were some students who could study for
just one or two hours and absolutely
Crush an exam and then some students
might study for 3 four or even 5 hours
and not fully grasp the material more
important than the amount of time you
study is how you actually study in this
video I'm going to cover some common
study mistakes that might be holding you
back from an A okay the first mistake
actually happens inside the classroom
it's when you're hearing but you're not
listening and what this refers to is
that when someone is talking to you
you're not fully present you hear the
individual words you have a vague idea
of what they're talking about but you
don't understand the deeper message and
this happens very often with students in
the classroom for example let's say
you're sitting in history class and your
teacher is talking about the Boston Tea
Party he tells you that a group of
American colonists disguised as Native
Americans Bard British ships and dump
tea into the Boston Harbor to protest
the Tea Act now if you're sitting in
class and simply hearing lecture you
might think to yourself wow these guys
seem pretty rebellious but if you're
actually listening to your teacher and
think about the deeper themes and
broader implications of the story you'll
have a much stronger grasp on the
content you'll realize that the Boston
Tea Party was a catalyst for
revolutionary change that it was a
symbolic Act of defiance and these are
the ideas that will help you Ace an exam
or an essay not the fact that a random
group of colonists got mad on some
winter day in 1773 so now how do you
become better at listening now this
might sound a bit controversial but take
fewer notes don't rush to write down
every single word your teacher says or
every single thing you see on the slides
when your teacher says something pause
for a second digest the idea and jot
down a note in your own words okay
mistake number two is forgetting to
connect the dots if you treat school
like it's one giant memory exercise that
simply requires you to regurgitate a
bunch of facts and formulas you're doing
yourself a disservice everything you
learn exists in some context every idea
is somehow related to a broader theme or
lesson that you need to be aware of and
if you can maintain this awareness while
you're in class and while you're
studying for exams you will excel in
school now you might be saying gohar
what are you talking about let's work
through an example okay so let's say
you're sitting in Biology class and your
teacher is talking about photosynthesis
she tells you that photosynthesis is a
way for plants to convert light into
chemical energy that it occurs in the
chloroplast and she even gives you the
formula a B+ or an A minus student might
just focus on memorizing these facts but
an A+ student might realize hey
photosynthesis relates to some of the
stuff we learned about previously for
example they might instantly realize
that photosynthesis is connected to
cellular respiration that is connected
to the cycle of energy transfer within
ecosystems and that it's even connected
to the carbon cycle the A+ student will
connect these dots and gain a much
richer and deeper understanding of the
content compared to the student who
might just memorize these facts in
isolation Okay now the third mistake is
something I've touched upon before but
I'll say it again because I think it's
something every student should avoid
staying in your comfort zone studying
effectively is supposed to be a
rewarding process but it's not
necessarily supposed to be a comfortable
process now yes you can and should try
to make studying more fun by maybe
studying with music or studying with
friends but you shouldn't go into a
study session just assuming it's going
to be super easy or go by and a breeze
because the reality is as you're
studying you'll often come across
Concepts that make no sense to you and
you'll come across formulas and facts
that look like hieroglyphics and this is
a good thing because it means you're
about to learn something as you're
studying don't spend too much time
reviewing notes or concepts you're
already familiar with really spend some
time figuring out your biggest
weaknesses and Tackle them head on and
the truth is deep down we know what our
strengths weaknesses are we know the
topics that are easy for us and we can
pick up in an instant and we know the
topics that might be a bit more
difficult for example back in high
school AP Cal wasn't too bad for me but
APUSH was a little bit tougher but I was
honest with myself and spent way more
time studying for AP push even though
studying for AP Cal would have been a
lot more comfortable now on this channel
I've talked about the importance of
having a nice study environment having a
study routine and using tools like
Google Calendar and notion and while I
think it is important to have have some
sort of structure I also know it's very
easy to get carried away I often see
students who think they can only take
notes in a certain format students who
think they can only listen to a certain
soundtrack while studying students who
think they can only study with a certain
set of stationary and look while there
is nothing wrong with finding something
that works for you and I myself am a fan
of trying new things you have to be
adaptable having these requirements
becomes an issue when you're in an
environment where you don't have access
to them for example maybe you're
studying at a friend's house and don't
have access to certain tools maybe your
teacher wants you to take notes in a
format you're not too comfortable with
over optimizing your study system also
becomes an issue when you're impeding
your own study sessions for no reason
for example many students follow the
Pomodoro Technique 25 minutes of
studying followed by a 5 minute break if
this works for you great but if one day
you feel like you have more energy and
can study for 30 minutes or maybe even
40 minutes don't let this arbitrary rule
stop you and that's the big IDE aidea
here a lot of these tools and techniques
you hear me and other influencers
talking about are simply meant to guide
your studying they're not things you
have to follow exactly all the time all
right now the fifth mistake is fearing
judgment I want you to think about the
last time you raised your hand in class
now if you're like most people you
probably felt a little bit nervous maybe
you were afraid your teacher would judge
you or that your classmates would judge
you and while this feeling is completely
normal you should do your best to not
let this nervousness prevent you from
asking the question question in the
first place learning is a vulnerable
process and you only make progress as a
student when you own up to the things
you don't understand and look I've been
there myself I know it can be a bit
intimidating to ask a question
especially if you're in a lecture with
like dozens or hundreds of people but I
promise you nobody is going to remember
your question a few hours after class
ends in fact I don't remember any
embarrassing questions my classmates
might have asked during my lectures in
college and I'm sure the same goes for
them this advice also applies to more
than just race in your hand it applies
to the time you're sitting at home stuck
on a homework problem and you want to
ask your friend for help it applies to
the time you want to ask an older
sibling or a parent to explain a topic
to you it applies to the time you want
to email your teacher clarifying
questions I promise you these people in
your life want to help you and they're
probably judging you way less than you
think they are the sixth mistake is
clinging on to preconceived notions and
this is one I see all the time I think a
lot of students today after they get a
bad grade on an exam or struggle in a
class might just think they're not cut
out for a certain subject for example
someone who struggled in algebra their
freshman year of high school might just
think to themselves oh math isn't for me
or I just struggle with numbers and I
find this sort of negative selft talk
can sometimes become a self-fulfilling
prophecy for example maybe the student
isn't bad at math maybe he just has a
teacher who explains things poorly but
because he now has this mindset Because
he believes he can't do math he actually
becomes bad at math this mindset might
prevent him from fully paying attention
attention in class it might make it
easier for him to give up on a homework
assignment and blame his poor number
skills look we all have our strengths
and weaknesses and I understand that
some students are genuinely stronger at
some subjects and weaker in others but
don't let your preconceived notions
about your ability prevent you from
trying in class I genuinely believe the
vast majority of students are so much
smarter than they think they are and I
think it's so important that we have
systems and teachers who can help
students see their full potential even
in their weaker subjects so I want you
to take some time to reflect and open
yourself up to the possibility that your
weaknesses are not actually weaknesses
realize that with a different study
approach or maybe even a different
mindset you might be able to do better
in math or science or history I know you
have it in you all right and mistake
number seven and this is a big one
disregarding your sleep back in freshman
year of high school I would go to bed at
around 10: p.m. wake up at around 6:00
and get 8 hours of sleep each night but
starting my softt year which is when I
started taking AP classes I started
going to bed at like 1 or 2:00 a.m.
every night I even remember going to bed
at 4:00 a.m. multiple times so yeah I
probably should have prioritized my
sleep a bit more and you're probably
aware of all the benefits improved
concentration increased energy less
stress better memory but there's one
study I want to show you in particular
it's called the causes and consequence
of sleepiness among college students and
it finds that students sleeping 9 plus
hours each night have a significantly
higher GPA than those sleeping six or
fewer hours those who got more sleep had
an average GPA of 3.24 and those who got
less sleep had an average of 2.74 now if
you want to improve your sleep I
recommend you do a few things as soon as
possible and I've been doing these
things myself first set up screen time
and turn on time limits for every single
social media app you have on your iPhone
you can even set different limits for
different days of the week so if you're
a student I recommend setting a more
aggressive time limit on on weekdays I
also recommend you stop using your phone
at least an hour before bed a research
paper from Harvard says and I quote we
found that the use of these devices
before bedtime prolongs the time it
takes to fall asleep delays the
Circadian rhythm suppresses levels of
the Sleep promoting hormone melatonin
reduces the amount and delays the timing
of REM sleep and reduces alertness the
following morning so yeah get your
sleeping and with that we have wrapped
up today's video join my Discord for
more homework help and like And
subscribe for more videos like this in
the future
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