Train Yourself to Efficiently Study 10+ Subjects in School

Summary

In this educational video, the speaker, a former top student, shares effective study strategies for managing multiple subjects. They advocate for focusing on two subjects per day in separate study blocks, alternating between problem-based and content-based subjects. The speaker emphasizes the importance of daily goals, understanding over note-taking, and creating self-assessment questions. They also stress the value of recap sessions to solidify learning, suggesting that these methods can significantly enhance study efficiency and interest in various subjects.

Takeaways

• 📚 Studying two subjects a day in separate blocks is more effective than trying to cover multiple subjects in short sessions.
• 🧠 The brain needs time to lay a foundation, associate new knowledge, and encode information, which is why focused study blocks are beneficial.
• 📈 Start with a problem-based subject like maths or physics, followed by a content-based subject like biology or geography to balance practical and conceptual learning.
• 📅 Mimic your school timetable for home study to prioritize subjects that require more attention and practice.
• 🎯 Set daily goals for subjects you're struggling with to ensure consistent progress and improvement.
• 🚫 Avoid wasting time on excessive note-taking; instead, focus on understanding and practicing the material.
• 🤝 Engage in active learning by teaching or discussing what you've learned with others to reinforce your understanding.
• 🔄 Create recall questions or summaries during or after class to convert taught material into a format that aids self-assessment and retention.
• ⏰ Implement recap sessions before or after study sessions to solidify learning and identify areas of strength and weakness.
• 💡 Continuously seek ways to absorb new content more fully and efficiently to enhance overall learning and understanding.

Q & A

How many subjects did the speaker study in secondary school?

The speaker studied around 12 subjects in secondary school.

What was the speaker's routine for studying multiple subjects efficiently?

The speaker's routine involved studying two subjects a day in two separate study blocks, focusing on one problem-based subject and one content-based subject.

Why does the speaker suggest not studying five subjects in one day?

The speaker suggests not studying five subjects in one day because the brain needs time to lay a foundation, associate new knowledge, and encode information, which is difficult to achieve with short study sessions for multiple subjects.

What is the significance of giving uninterrupted time to grasp concepts?

Uninterrupted time is significant for grasping concepts and making connections, which is essential for understanding and retaining information rather than just memorizing facts.

How did the speaker develop an interest in subjects they initially disliked?

The speaker developed an interest in initially disliked subjects by giving them a good chunk of time regularly, which led to understanding and improvement in those subjects.

What strategy does the speaker recommend for selecting subjects to study each day?

The speaker recommends selecting one problem-based subject like maths or physics and one content-based subject like biology or geography for each study session.

Why does the speaker advise against scheduling subjects too far in advance?

Scheduling subjects too far in advance can take the fun out of studying and create stress if something unexpected happens and a subject is missed, leading to a feeling of falling behind.

How does the speaker suggest replicating the school timetable for home studying?

The speaker suggests giving more attention and time to subjects that are done every day in school, as they are more important, and replicating this pattern in home studying.

What daily goal did the speaker set for improving in a subject?

The speaker set a daily goal of doing 100-plus flashcards of anatomy every single day to improve in that subject.

Why did the speaker stop handwriting notes during studying?

The speaker stopped handwriting notes because it was time-consuming and did not aid in understanding or retention; instead, they focused on understanding, practicing, and explaining concepts to others.

What habit did the speaker develop to solidify learning before starting a new study session?

The speaker developed the habit of having a 15-minute recap session about what was learned in the past and pre-read what was to be learned, involving doing multiple choice questions or practicing on previously learned material.

How does the speaker suggest improving the efficiency of absorbing new content?

The speaker suggests always thinking about how to absorb new content more fully and efficiently, possibly by creating recall questions and engaging with the material actively.