How to Cram 4 Months of Studying in 4 Hours (I'll delete this if you don't get A*s)

Summary

This video video provides a simple yet effective cramming method for exams, focusing on how to prioritize, learn, and retain key information quickly. The process involves triaging topics based on their frequency and difficulty, using a speed learning cycle, and leveraging techniques like skimming, mind mapping, and flowcharts. It emphasizes the importance of active recall, space repetition, and mixed question reviews for long-term retention. With a structured approach, the video aims to help students make the most out of their limited time before exams, ensuring efficient studying under pressure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Triaging your topics is essential: Prioritize your studies by focusing on the most common and weakest areas first, followed by strong areas you are familiar with. Skip uncommon topics and strong areas you already know.
• 😀 Speed learning is key: Follow a four-step cycle: read questions, skim topics, learn in layers, and do a full question session to reinforce learning.
• 😀 Skimming saves time: Spend 10-15 minutes skimming each topic to grasp the basics and understand how it links to past exam questions.
• 😀 Build a solid foundation quickly: Start with the basics, then grasp general concepts, and finally, dive into details, especially for priority topics.
• 😀 Mind mapping is a powerful technique: Use mind maps or flowcharts to organize and connect related concepts, helping you better understand and remember the material.
• 😀 Avoid making notes: Instead of detailed note-taking, focus on creating visual tools like flowcharts or mind maps to organize information.
• 😀 Focus on mistakes, not right answers: When reviewing questions, prioritize learning from the mistakes and refine your understanding of the topic.
• 😀 Review system is critical for retention: Implement spaced reviews and mixed question sessions to ensure long-term retention and recall of studied material.
• 😀 Space reviews based on time left before exams: Review topics within 48 hours if under two weeks or follow a day 1, day 4, and day 14 pattern for longer study periods.
• 😀 Mixed question sessions reinforce learning: Do mixed question reviews from weak topics daily to improve your ability to handle exam chaos and switch between topics.
• 😀 Cramming can be effective with a clear plan: A structured approach focusing on priority topics, testing, and reviewing ensures that you can make the most of limited study time.

Q & A

What is the first step in preparing for exams when you're short on time?

The first step is to triage your topics. This involves assessing which topics are frequently tested, which are your weaknesses, and organizing them into a triage table. This helps you prioritize your study efforts efficiently.

Why is triaging your topics so important before starting to study?

Triaging ensures you focus on the most important topics that are frequently tested and areas where you're weakest. It prevents wasting time on topics that won’t help you score highly in your exam.

How should you prioritize topics in your triage table?

Prioritize topics based on two factors: how often they appear in exams and how strong or weak your understanding of them is. The most important topics to focus on are common and weak ones, followed by common and strong topics, and finally, uncommon ones.

What is the speed learning cycle, and how does it help with cramming?

The speed learning cycle consists of four steps: 1) Start by reviewing past exam questions to understand what’s being tested. 2) Skim the chapter to get the basics. 3) Focus on deep learning for Priority 1 topics. 4) Test yourself using practice questions and learn from mistakes.

What role does skimming play in the learning process?

Skimming helps you quickly familiarize yourself with the basics of a topic in a short amount of time. It provides a broad understanding, allowing you to focus on essential details without getting bogged down by unnecessary information.

How should you use practice questions during your study sessions?

Use practice questions to test your knowledge and identify areas of weakness. Focus on understanding why you got a question wrong and learn from those mistakes. Keep track of your mistakes and review them later to strengthen your understanding.

Why should you avoid making notes while studying?

Making notes often wastes time, as it can become too detailed and overwhelming. Instead, focus on creating mind maps or flowcharts, which help organize information visually and make it easier to understand and remember.

What is the purpose of creating mind maps, and when should you use them?

Mind maps help organize and visualize relationships between concepts, making them easier to remember. They should be used for weak, important topics that require a deeper understanding. For topics you already know well, skip the mind maps and focus on practice questions instead.

What is spaced repetition, and how does it enhance retention?

Spaced repetition is the practice of reviewing material at increasing intervals to enhance long-term retention. It helps reinforce learning and prevents forgetting. The method involves reviewing weak topics regularly within 48 hours and following specific review intervals for topics learned earlier.

How does the concept of mixed question reviews improve your exam preparation?

Mixed question reviews involve practicing questions from different topics simultaneously, which mirrors the unpredictable nature of an exam. This helps your brain adapt to switching between concepts quickly and improves overall recall under exam conditions.