Study LESS, Study SMART – What I Wish I Knew in College

Summary

In this informative video, Dr. Jubbal from MedSchoolInsiders.com shares effective study strategies he learned in medical school, emphasizing active learning over passive methods. He covers organizing information, creating study aids like charts, and applying knowledge through practice. The video also discusses the importance of the study environment, the Pomodoro Technique for focused studying, and the benefits of teaching others. Dr. Jubbal advises against re-watching lectures and instead suggests using textbooks actively and leveraging spaced repetition with flashcards for memorization.

Takeaways

• 📚 Active learning is more effective than passive learning, requiring more effort but leading to better understanding and retention.
• 🔍 To employ active learning, one must identify important information, organize it, memorize actively, and apply it through practice.
• 📈 Organizing information in your own words or diagrams, such as tables and charts, can enhance understanding and provide useful study tools.
• 🏠 Personalize your study environment by choosing the right location, whether it's at home, a coffee shop, or a library.
• 🤝 Balance between group and solo studying can optimize review rates and reinforce difficult concepts while maintaining focus and motivation.
• 👥 Keep study groups small to avoid distractions and maintain productivity; teaching others in the group can reinforce your own learning.
• 🔄 The trade-off between novel stimuli and routine suggests varying study locations can improve recall, but a consistent routine can boost productivity.
• ⏱ The Pomodoro Technique, using 25-minute focused study sessions followed by 5-minute breaks, can combat procrastination and improve focus.
• ✍️ Writing notes by hand can improve recall due to the slower pace and increased engagement compared to typing.
• 🎧 Lecture podcasts offer flexibility but require discipline; using increased playback speed can help maintain focus and save time.
• 🚫 Avoid rewatching lectures, which is a passive activity; instead, use textbooks and active learning methods for review.
• 📝 Use summary sheets and spaced repetition with flashcards to actively memorize information, improving recall and making the most of study time.

Q & A

What is the primary benefit of studying more effectively according to the video?

Studying more effectively allows you to learn more and retain more information in less time, which results in less time spent studying, better grades, and more time for activities you enjoy.

What is the difference between active and passive learning?

Passive learning is the default, easier, and more comfortable method of studying, which involves less effort. Active learning, on the other hand, is more challenging and requires more effort, but it is ultimately much more effective for understanding and retaining information.

What are the four steps involved in active learning as mentioned in the video?

The four steps involved in active learning are: 1) Identifying what is important, 2) Organizing the information in a way that you understand, 3) Memorizing the information actively, and 4) Applying the information through practice questions and quizzes.

How can the studying environment affect productivity?

The studying environment requires personalization. Some people prefer studying in coffee shops or libraries to reduce distractions, while others may find studying at home more comfortable and effective. Group versus solo studying also plays a role, with group study being beneficial for reinforcing difficult concepts, but solo study often allows for faster review.

What is the Pomodoro Technique and how does it help with studying?

The Pomodoro Technique involves studying in 25-minute blocks with 5-minute breaks in between. This method helps fight procrastination, improves focus, and maintains endurance during study sessions.

Why does the video suggest that rewatching lectures is a waste of time?

Rewatching lectures is considered a waste of time because it is an extremely passive activity. Instead, the video suggests using time to review, synthesize, and actively engage with the material through methods like questions and flashcards.

How does summarizing textbooks and notes improve memorization?

Summarizing textbooks and notes into your own words makes the process more active by helping you identify important information and organize it in a way that enhances understanding and recall. This method also creates a condensed study resource for later review.

What is spaced repetition and how does it aid in memorization?

Spaced repetition is a memorization technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals, just before you are likely to forget it. This method enhances long-term retention by spacing out study sessions based on the forgetting curve.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of attending lectures in person versus listening to lecture podcasts?

Attending lectures in person offers the benefits of a structured routine, reduced distractions, and the ability to ask questions in real-time. However, lecture podcasts provide flexibility, allowing you to watch at your convenience and at increased speeds, although they require more discipline to avoid procrastination.

Why is using flashcards considered an effective study method?

Flashcards are effective because they require active recall, which is more similar to test conditions than recognition. They also allow for quick, frequent reviews, making them convenient for spaced repetition. Creating your own flashcards also enhances learning through the active engagement of organizing information.