HOW TO START your NEW ACADEMIC YEAR STRONG & GET AHEAD of your PEERS 💯

Summary

In this educational video, the speaker, a top-performing dental student, shares a step-by-step guide to achieving academic excellence. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing self-imposed limitations, choosing delayed gratification over instant pleasures, and making small, consistent adjustments to study habits. The video also touches on the benefits of active revision through flashcards, the use of AI technology like Cify to streamline study processes, and the necessity of mental discomfort to push beyond one's limits. The speaker advocates for discipline over motivation and suggests practical strategies for increasing focus and productivity, aiming to inspire viewers to rise to the top of their class.

Takeaways

• 🏆 To excel academically, one must prioritize delayed gratification over instant gratification, which involves resisting distractions like social media for long-term academic success.
• 📚 Acknowledging that personal choices, not lack of intelligence, are the main obstacles to academic success is the first step to improvement.
• 📈 Small, consistent adjustments in study habits, such as understanding material before note-taking and converting notes into flashcards, can lead to significant academic progress.
• 🤝 Engaging with teachers to clarify doubts during class is more effective than passively copying notes, leading to better comprehension and note condensation.
• 📖 Preparing for class by previewing topics and potential exam questions helps identify key points and gaps in knowledge, facilitating more effective learning.
• 🔄 Transforming notes into flashcards early in the academic year aids in active revision and is crucial for exam preparation, unlike passive note-taking.
• 🤖 Utilizing AI technology like Cify can streamline the study process by creating condensed study guides, exam questions, and flashcards, saving time and effort.
• 📝 Taking mock exams seriously and using them as a diagnostic tool to identify weaknesses is essential for strengthening areas that need improvement before the actual exams.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Embracing discomfort by pushing beyond one's comfort zone in studying challenging topics leads to better retention and understanding, which is vital for exam success.
• ⏱️ Gradually increasing study focus time and maintaining discipline, rather than relying on motivation, is key to building a consistent study routine and achieving academic excellence.

Q & A

What is the main message of the video about academic success?

The main message is that becoming top of the class is achievable and it involves acknowledging one's own role in holding oneself back, making small adjustments in study habits, and embracing discomfort to push beyond one's limits.

Who is the speaker in the video and what are their academic achievements?

The speaker is a fifth-year Dental student named Scha, studying in London. They have achieved straight A stars and grade NES in both their GTSs and A levels, and they are in the top 2% of the country, attending a Russell Group University for a competitive degree.

What is the significance of choosing delayed gratification over instant gratification as mentioned in the video?

Choosing delayed gratification is significant because it helps in focusing on long-term goals rather than short-term pleasures. It allows for sustained effort towards academic success, as opposed to the fleeting happiness from instant gratification sources like social media.

What is the first step recommended by Scha to improve academic performance?

The first step recommended is to acknowledge that one's own actions and choices are what's holding them back, rather than a lack of natural intelligence or effort.

Why is it important to understand the class material before taking notes, as suggested in the video?

Understanding the material before taking notes allows for more effective note-taking by focusing on key points and comprehending the information, which is crucial for later revision and exam preparation.

What role do class tests and mock exams play in academic success according to the video?

Class tests and mock exams are important as they provide opportunities to identify gaps in knowledge and understanding, and to practice exam conditions, which can significantly improve performance in actual exams.

How does the video suggest transforming notes into a more effective study tool?

The video suggests converting notes into flashcards focused on examinable content, which aids in active revision and better retention of information.

What is the purpose of the AI technology 'cify' mentioned in the video?

Cify is an AI technology designed to help students by condensing notes, creating exam questions, and generating flashcards, thereby streamlining the study process and reducing the time spent on note-taking and revision.

What does the video suggest about the relationship between discomfort and academic improvement?

The video suggests that experiencing some level of discomfort while studying is necessary for improvement, as it pushes students to tackle difficult topics and study beyond their comfort zone, leading to better exam results.

How does the video recommend managing distractions like phone usage during study time?

The video recommends physical discipline to manage distractions, such as giving the phone to someone else, locking it away, or using apps that block access to certain apps, ensuring a focused study environment.

What is the importance of discipline over motivation in achieving academic goals as per the video?

Discipline is emphasized over motivation because motivation can be fleeting, while discipline ensures consistent effort towards academic goals, leading to long-term success and avoiding regret.