How I Made Studying TOO Easy (you're doing it wrong...)

Summary

This video shares strategies to make studying automatic and improve grades effortlessly. The speaker explains how breaking tasks into small steps and focusing on the current task can make studying less intimidating. By lowering the barrier to success—such as aiming for just 5 minutes of study each day—students can easily get started and experience a sense of accomplishment, which leads to more productive study sessions. The speaker also emphasizes creating good habits, tracking progress, and applying proven techniques to make studying a consistent part of daily life, ultimately enhancing exam preparation and results.

Takeaways

• 😀 Make studying automatic to drastically improve your grades.
• 😀 The biggest barrier to studying is not knowing what to do, but simply starting.
• 😀 Use the 'focus on the current step' principle to break down tasks into manageable chunks.
• 😀 Procrastination occurs when tasks seem too big or overwhelming—focus on the next small step instead.
• 😀 Starting with small actions, like setting up study materials, makes studying feel easier.
• 😀 Breaking tasks into checkpoints helps reduce the feeling of overwhelm and encourages progress.
• 😀 Lower the barrier of success by starting with a goal as small as studying for 5 minutes a day.
• 😀 Once you start studying, you’re likely to continue—small successes snowball into more productivity.
• 😀 Setting small, easily achievable goals helps avoid the demotivation that comes from missing big goals.
• 😀 Make studying a habit by tracking your progress, such as with a habit tracker for daily study sessions.
• 😀 Reinforce your identity as a student by setting low barriers and making studying feel automatic and approachable.

Q & A

Why is studying automatic so important for improving grades?

Making studying automatic removes the mental barriers that lead to procrastination. It helps you start studying without overthinking or feeling overwhelmed, which results in better study consistency and ultimately higher grades.

What are some common study methods that don't work well, according to the speaker?

Rereading notes is mentioned as a study method that is ineffective. It's a passive approach that doesn't actively engage your brain in the learning process, which is why it doesn't lead to optimal grades.

What is the 'focus on the current step' principle and how can it help in studying?

The 'focus on the current step' principle suggests breaking down a large task into smaller, manageable actions. By concentrating only on the next step, such as bringing your materials to your desk, you avoid feeling overwhelmed and make starting easier.

How does the speaker compare studying to climbing Mount Everest?

The speaker compares studying to climbing Mount Everest by highlighting how climbers focus on small, immediate steps (e.g., reaching the first camp) instead of the entire 8,800 meters. This approach makes the task feel more achievable and less daunting.

What is the psychological benefit of breaking large tasks into smaller chunks?

Breaking down large tasks into smaller chunks makes them feel more manageable to the brain, reducing the perception of the task as overwhelming or scary. This helps reduce procrastination and increase the likelihood of starting and completing the task.

What is the biggest obstacle to studying that most students face?

The biggest obstacle is the inability to start studying. Students often know what they need to do, but the challenge lies in overcoming the initial reluctance to sit down and begin, which can be due to the perceived difficulty or size of the task.

How does setting a low barrier of success, like studying for just 5 minutes, improve study habits?

Setting a low barrier of success, such as studying for only 5 minutes, makes it easier to get started. Once you begin, it creates a positive cycle, as you often feel motivated to continue beyond the initial small goal, resulting in more productive study sessions overall.

How can lowering the barrier of success prevent feelings of demotivation?

By lowering the goal to something easy and achievable (like 5 minutes), you set yourself up for success. This prevents the demotivation that often arises when setting unrealistic goals, as you can feel accomplished even after just a short study session.

Why does the speaker recommend tracking study habits with a habit tracker?

A habit tracker helps reinforce the identity of a student by making studying a consistent part of your daily routine. By tracking small wins (like studying for 5 minutes), you create positive reinforcement that encourages continued study efforts.

How did the speaker use past papers to improve study effectiveness for their GCSEs?

The speaker used past papers as a core study method for their GCSEs. They found this method to be highly effective, as it actively engaged them with real exam content, helping to reinforce knowledge and improve exam performance.