How to STUDY so FAST that it feels ILLEGAL😱

Summary

In this video, Colin, a Yale computer science student, shares effective study techniques to achieve top grades in less time. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, efficient strategies, and active recall. Key points include focusing on quality over quantity, using Parkinson's Law to limit study time, and adopting active recall for better retention. Colin also encourages making studying enjoyable, removing distractions, and identifying your 'genius time' for peak productivity. By following these tips, viewers can balance academic success with personal interests and lifestyle goals.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Focus on effective studying, not long hours: The key to success is studying smart, not necessarily studying more. It's possible to get top grades with less time spent studying.
• 💡 Rewire your mindset: Believe that you are an 'academic weapon' and that you can conquer any exam or class, no matter how hard it seems.
• 🧠 Make learning fun: Even if the material seems boring, convince yourself it's interesting and important to make studying feel effortless.
• ⏳ Apply Parkinson's Law: Limit your study sessions to short, focused periods (like 2-3 hours) to boost productivity and avoid wasting time.
• 🔄 Use active recall: Instead of passively reading, test yourself through practice questions to reinforce memory and understanding.
• 🚀 Focus on problem-solving: Redo homework and quizzes, especially the questions you got wrong, as soon as you get feedback to improve retention.
• 📱 Eliminate distractions: Keep your phone far away or on airplane mode during study sessions to stay focused and productive.
• 🎶 Make studying enjoyable: Listen to music that helps you focus, such as jazz, house music, or binaural beats, even if studies suggest otherwise.
• ⏰ Identify your peak productivity time: Find your 'genius time'—the hours when you're most focused and productive—and use that for deep work.
• 🧩 Balance study and life: Design a system that lets you work efficiently so you can have time for hobbies, projects, and personal growth outside of academics.

Q & A

What is the main reason students get bad grades, according to Colin?

According to Colin, students get bad grades because they don't study, and the reason they don't study is that it takes too long.

How does Colin suggest students can study more efficiently?

Colin suggests that students can study more efficiently by changing their mindset, tricking their brain into enjoying the material, and using Parkinson's Law to set shorter, focused study sessions.

What is Parkinson's Law and how does it apply to studying?

Parkinson's Law states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. In studying, Colin recommends setting shorter, focused study sessions to prevent wasting time and becoming more productive.

Why does Colin prefer to study for only 2 hours a day?

Colin prefers to study for 2 hours a day because he believes in studying smart rather than long. This allows him to maintain a balanced life where he can also focus on his hobbies and projects.

What is active recall, and why does Colin consider it the best study technique?

Active recall is a study technique where you learn by testing yourself and answering questions rather than just reading material. Colin considers it the best technique because it helps reinforce learning by countering the forgetting curve.

What is the 'forgetting curve' and how can it be overcome?

The forgetting curve is a concept that suggests we quickly forget new information unless we keep practicing it. Active recall helps overcome the forgetting curve by consistently testing and recalling the learned material.

How does Colin make studying fun, and what tools does he recommend?

Colin makes studying fun by using flashcards on Quizlet, where he turns his notes into questions and approaches it like a game. He also suggests using tools like ChatGPT to generate practice questions from notes.

Does Colin recommend studying alone or with friends?

Colin recommends studying alone most of the time because it allows for better focus, but he acknowledges that occasionally studying with friends in a different environment, like a cafe, can be refreshing.

What are Colin's tips for eliminating distractions while studying?

Colin suggests putting your phone on airplane mode or placing it far away to avoid distractions. He mentions that some people use a locked timer box for their phones, but simply keeping it out of reach works well.

What is Colin's 'Genius time' and how can students find theirs?

Colin's 'Genius time' is his peak productivity window, which is usually around 6-8 a.m. He advises students to identify their own best time for deep work, whether it's in the morning or at night, based on their personality and habits.