7 mistakes every student should avoid

Summary

This video script emphasizes that studying effectively is more crucial than the hours spent. It highlights common study mistakes, such as passive listening in class, failing to connect concepts, staying in the comfort zone, over-optimizing study systems, fearing judgment, holding preconceived notions, and disregarding sleep. The speaker encourages students to be aware of these pitfalls, to ask questions without fear, and to challenge their weaknesses for a deeper understanding and better academic performance.

Takeaways

• 📚 The amount of time spent studying is less important than the quality of the study process.
• 👂 Active listening in class is crucial; it involves understanding the deeper message rather than just hearing the words.
• 📝 Taking fewer notes can improve comprehension; it encourages digesting the idea before jotting it down in your own words.
• 🔗 Connecting the dots between different subjects and concepts helps in gaining a deeper understanding of the material.
• 🚀 Stepping out of your comfort zone during study sessions can lead to better learning outcomes by tackling unfamiliar or difficult concepts.
• 🔧 Being adaptable in your study methods is important; don't let rigid systems or tools impede your learning process.
• 🙅‍♂️ Overcoming the fear of judgment is essential for asking questions and seeking help, which are vital for learning.
• 💡 Letting go of preconceived notions about your abilities can open up possibilities for improvement in areas you find challenging.
• 💤 Prioritizing sleep is vital for academic performance; inadequate sleep can negatively impact GPA and cognitive function.
• 🛌 Implementing strategies to improve sleep, such as setting screen time limits and avoiding phone use before bed, can enhance study effectiveness.
• 🤝 Recognizing that support systems, like teachers, friends, and family, are there to help and are not as judgmental as one might think can encourage seeking assistance.

Q & A

What is the main message of the video regarding studying?

The main message of the video is that the amount of time spent studying is less important than the quality of the study process. Effective studying involves active listening, connecting concepts, stepping out of comfort zones, and avoiding common mistakes that hinder learning.

What is the first study mistake discussed in the video?

The first study mistake discussed is not fully being present when listening to lectures, which means hearing but not truly listening and understanding the deeper message being conveyed.

How does the video suggest improving listening skills during lectures?

The video suggests improving listening skills by taking fewer notes, pausing to digest ideas, and jotting down notes in your own words to ensure better comprehension.

What is the importance of connecting the dots when studying, as mentioned in the video?

Connecting the dots is important because it helps students understand how individual facts and concepts relate to broader themes, leading to a richer and deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Why should students avoid staying in their comfort zone while studying, according to the video?

Students should avoid staying in their comfort zone because it is through tackling unfamiliar and challenging concepts that they truly learn and grow academically.

What is the potential issue with having a rigid study routine, as highlighted in the video?

Having a rigid study routine can become an issue when it impedes learning or when students are in environments where they cannot adhere to their usual study conditions, thus reducing their adaptability.

How does the video address the fear of judgment in the learning process?

The video encourages students to overcome the fear of judgment by acknowledging that asking questions and seeking help is a normal part of learning, and that others are generally more supportive and less judgmental than students might assume.

What is the impact of preconceived notions on academic performance, as discussed in the video?

Preconceived notions can negatively impact academic performance by creating a self-fulfilling prophecy where students underperform because they believe they are not capable in a certain subject.

Why is sleep important for students, and what is the relationship between sleep and GPA as mentioned in the video?

Sleep is important for students because it improves concentration, energy, reduces stress, and enhances memory. The video cites a study showing that students who sleep 9 or more hours a night have a significantly higher GPA compared to those who sleep six or fewer hours.

What are some recommendations given in the video to improve sleep habits for students?

The video recommends setting screen time limits on social media apps, especially on weekdays, and avoiding phone use at least an hour before bed to improve sleep habits.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Effective Study Techniques Over Time Spent

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of study quality over quantity. The speaker shares personal observations from high school, noting that some students could excel with minimal study time while others struggled despite longer hours. The video promises to address common study mistakes and offers strategies to improve study effectiveness. The first mistake discussed is a lack of active listening in the classroom, which leads to a superficial understanding of the material. The speaker suggests taking fewer notes to encourage deeper comprehension and engagement with the material.

05:01

🔗 Connecting Dots Between Concepts for Better Learning

The second paragraph highlights the importance of making connections between different concepts learned in school. It argues against treating education as a mere memorization exercise and instead encourages students to see how ideas relate to broader themes. The speaker uses the example of photosynthesis in biology to illustrate how understanding its connections to other concepts like cellular respiration and the carbon cycle can lead to a deeper grasp of the subject. The paragraph also touches on the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and tackling challenging topics directly.

🛠️ Over-Optimizing Study Systems and Fear of Judgment

This paragraph discusses the pitfalls of over-optimizing study systems and the fear of judgment that can hinder the learning process. The speaker warns against becoming too attached to specific study formats or tools, as this can limit flexibility and impede learning in different environments. The paragraph also addresses the common anxiety of asking questions in class due to fear of judgment, emphasizing that learning requires vulnerability and that seeking help is essential for progress.

💡 Challenging Preconceived Notions and the Importance of Sleep

The final paragraph addresses the issue of preconceived notions about one's abilities, which can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy of struggle in certain subjects. The speaker encourages students to challenge these beliefs and remain open to improvement. Additionally, the importance of sleep for academic performance is underscored, with the speaker sharing personal experiences and citing a study that links sleep duration to GPA. Practical tips for improving sleep habits are provided, such as setting screen time limits and avoiding phone use before bed.

Keywords

💡Study Efficiency

Study efficiency refers to the effectiveness of the study process, not just the time spent. In the video, it's emphasized that the quality of study matters more than the quantity, as students can achieve better results by studying smarter rather than longer. The script mentions students who 'Crush an exam' with less study time, illustrating the importance of efficient studying.

💡Active Listening

Active listening is the process of fully concentrating, understanding, and responding to what is being said. The video script points out that merely hearing in class without truly listening can hinder understanding. It suggests that students should not just hear the words but grasp the deeper message, which is crucial for better learning and exam performance.

💡Note-Taking

Note-taking is the act of recording information during lectures or while studying. The video advises taking fewer notes to allow for better digestion of ideas. It argues that students should pause, understand the concept, and then jot down notes in their own words, which helps in deeper learning rather than just transcribing information.

💡Connecting Dots

Connecting dots is the ability to see relationships and make connections between different pieces of information. The script uses the example of photosynthesis to explain how understanding its connection to other concepts like cellular respiration and the carbon cycle can lead to a richer comprehension of the subject matter.

💡Comfort Zone

Comfort zone refers to a state of minimal stress and risk where one feels at ease. The video encourages students to step out of their comfort zones during study sessions, as facing challenging concepts is an essential part of the learning process. It warns against the complacency that can come from only reviewing familiar material.

💡Study Techniques

Study techniques are methods used to enhance learning and retention. The script mentions tools like the Pomodoro Technique but advises against strict adherence to any single method. It emphasizes adaptability and the importance of finding what works best for the individual in terms of study routines and environments.

💡Judgment

Judgment, in the context of the video, refers to the fear of being evaluated or criticized by others. The speaker encourages students to overcome this fear, as it can prevent them from asking questions and seeking help. The video script highlights the importance of being open to learning, even if it means appearing vulnerable.

💡Preconceived Notions

Preconceived notions are pre-existing beliefs or opinions that can influence one's actions or attitudes. The video discusses how negative self-talk, such as believing one is not good at a subject, can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. It encourages students to challenge these notions and remain open to improvement.

💡Sleep

Sleep is vital for cognitive functions, including learning and memory. The video script emphasizes the importance of adequate sleep for academic performance, citing a study that shows a correlation between longer sleep and higher GPAs. It also provides tips for improving sleep habits, such as setting screen time limits and avoiding phone use before bed.

💡Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

A self-fulfilling prophecy is a belief that, because it is held, causes behavior that leads to its own validation. In the script, it is mentioned in the context of students who believe they are not good at a subject and, as a result, underperform. The video encourages students to challenge these beliefs to unlock their full potential.

💡Cognitive Functions

Cognitive functions are the mental processes that include memory, attention, perception, and thinking. The video script discusses how sleep impacts cognitive functions, particularly in relation to concentration and memory, which are essential for effective studying and academic success.

Highlights

The amount of time spent studying is less important than the quality of the study session.

Students who study for less time can outperform those who study longer if they engage more deeply with the material.

Active listening in the classroom is crucial for understanding the deeper message of the lecture.

Taking fewer notes can improve understanding by allowing time to digest the information.

Connecting the dots between different subjects and concepts is essential for a comprehensive understanding.

Staying in your comfort zone can hinder effective learning; it's important to tackle difficult concepts.

Preconceived study methods and environments can limit flexibility and adaptability in learning.

Over-optimizing study techniques can impede learning when rigidly adhered to without adaptability.

Fear of judgment can prevent students from asking questions and seeking help, which is vital for learning.

Clinging to preconceived notions about one's abilities can become a self-fulfilling prophecy and limit academic growth.

Disregarding sleep can significantly impact academic performance; adequate sleep is linked to higher GPAs.

Students should reflect on their weaknesses and consider that they might improve with a different approach or mindset.

The importance of sleep for concentration, energy, stress reduction, and memory improvement cannot be overstated.

Setting screen time limits and avoiding phone use before bed can improve sleep quality and academic performance.

The Pomodoro Technique is a useful study tool, but students should adapt it to their own energy levels rather than following it rigidly.

Students often underestimate their own intelligence and potential, which can be unlocked with the right support and mindset.

The video concludes with a call to action for students to join a Discord community for homework help and to subscribe for more educational content.

Transcripts

I'm here to break some important news

and look you might not be that happy but

I think it's important you know this the

amount of time you study doesn't matter

back in high school I realized there

were some students who could study for

just one or two hours and absolutely

Crush an exam and then some students

might study for 3 four or even 5 hours

and not fully grasp the material more

important than the amount of time you

study is how you actually study in this

video I'm going to cover some common

study mistakes that might be holding you

back from an A okay the first mistake

actually happens inside the classroom

it's when you're hearing but you're not

listening and what this refers to is

that when someone is talking to you

you're not fully present you hear the

individual words you have a vague idea

of what they're talking about but you

don't understand the deeper message and

this happens very often with students in

the classroom for example let's say

you're sitting in history class and your

teacher is talking about the Boston Tea

Party he tells you that a group of

American colonists disguised as Native

Americans Bard British ships and dump

tea into the Boston Harbor to protest

the Tea Act now if you're sitting in

class and simply hearing lecture you

might think to yourself wow these guys

seem pretty rebellious but if you're

actually listening to your teacher and

think about the deeper themes and

broader implications of the story you'll

have a much stronger grasp on the

content you'll realize that the Boston

Tea Party was a catalyst for

revolutionary change that it was a

symbolic Act of defiance and these are

the ideas that will help you Ace an exam

or an essay not the fact that a random

group of colonists got mad on some

winter day in 1773 so now how do you

become better at listening now this

might sound a bit controversial but take

fewer notes don't rush to write down

every single word your teacher says or

every single thing you see on the slides

when your teacher says something pause

for a second digest the idea and jot

down a note in your own words okay

mistake number two is forgetting to

connect the dots if you treat school

like it's one giant memory exercise that

simply requires you to regurgitate a

bunch of facts and formulas you're doing

yourself a disservice everything you

learn exists in some context every idea

is somehow related to a broader theme or

lesson that you need to be aware of and

if you can maintain this awareness while

you're in class and while you're

studying for exams you will excel in

school now you might be saying gohar

what are you talking about let's work

through an example okay so let's say

you're sitting in Biology class and your

teacher is talking about photosynthesis

she tells you that photosynthesis is a

way for plants to convert light into

chemical energy that it occurs in the

chloroplast and she even gives you the

formula a B+ or an A minus student might

just focus on memorizing these facts but

an A+ student might realize hey

photosynthesis relates to some of the

stuff we learned about previously for

example they might instantly realize

that photosynthesis is connected to

cellular respiration that is connected

to the cycle of energy transfer within

ecosystems and that it's even connected

to the carbon cycle the A+ student will

connect these dots and gain a much

richer and deeper understanding of the

content compared to the student who

might just memorize these facts in

isolation Okay now the third mistake is

something I've touched upon before but

I'll say it again because I think it's

something every student should avoid

staying in your comfort zone studying

effectively is supposed to be a

rewarding process but it's not

necessarily supposed to be a comfortable

process now yes you can and should try

to make studying more fun by maybe

studying with music or studying with

friends but you shouldn't go into a

study session just assuming it's going

to be super easy or go by and a breeze

because the reality is as you're

studying you'll often come across

Concepts that make no sense to you and

you'll come across formulas and facts

that look like hieroglyphics and this is

a good thing because it means you're

about to learn something as you're

studying don't spend too much time

reviewing notes or concepts you're

already familiar with really spend some

time figuring out your biggest

weaknesses and Tackle them head on and

the truth is deep down we know what our

strengths weaknesses are we know the

topics that are easy for us and we can

pick up in an instant and we know the

topics that might be a bit more

difficult for example back in high

school AP Cal wasn't too bad for me but

APUSH was a little bit tougher but I was

honest with myself and spent way more

time studying for AP push even though

studying for AP Cal would have been a

lot more comfortable now on this channel

I've talked about the importance of

having a nice study environment having a

study routine and using tools like

Google Calendar and notion and while I

think it is important to have have some

sort of structure I also know it's very

easy to get carried away I often see

students who think they can only take

notes in a certain format students who

think they can only listen to a certain

soundtrack while studying students who

think they can only study with a certain

set of stationary and look while there

is nothing wrong with finding something

that works for you and I myself am a fan

of trying new things you have to be

adaptable having these requirements

becomes an issue when you're in an

environment where you don't have access

to them for example maybe you're

studying at a friend's house and don't

have access to certain tools maybe your

teacher wants you to take notes in a

format you're not too comfortable with

over optimizing your study system also

becomes an issue when you're impeding

your own study sessions for no reason

for example many students follow the

Pomodoro Technique 25 minutes of

studying followed by a 5 minute break if

this works for you great but if one day

you feel like you have more energy and

can study for 30 minutes or maybe even

40 minutes don't let this arbitrary rule

stop you and that's the big IDE aidea

here a lot of these tools and techniques

you hear me and other influencers

talking about are simply meant to guide

your studying they're not things you

have to follow exactly all the time all

right now the fifth mistake is fearing

judgment I want you to think about the

last time you raised your hand in class

now if you're like most people you

probably felt a little bit nervous maybe

you were afraid your teacher would judge

you or that your classmates would judge

you and while this feeling is completely

normal you should do your best to not

let this nervousness prevent you from

asking the question question in the

first place learning is a vulnerable

process and you only make progress as a

student when you own up to the things

you don't understand and look I've been

there myself I know it can be a bit

intimidating to ask a question

especially if you're in a lecture with

like dozens or hundreds of people but I

promise you nobody is going to remember

your question a few hours after class

ends in fact I don't remember any

embarrassing questions my classmates

might have asked during my lectures in

college and I'm sure the same goes for

them this advice also applies to more

than just race in your hand it applies

to the time you're sitting at home stuck

on a homework problem and you want to

ask your friend for help it applies to

the time you want to ask an older

sibling or a parent to explain a topic

to you it applies to the time you want

to email your teacher clarifying

questions I promise you these people in

your life want to help you and they're

probably judging you way less than you

think they are the sixth mistake is

clinging on to preconceived notions and

this is one I see all the time I think a

lot of students today after they get a

bad grade on an exam or struggle in a

class might just think they're not cut

out for a certain subject for example

someone who struggled in algebra their

freshman year of high school might just

think to themselves oh math isn't for me

or I just struggle with numbers and I

find this sort of negative selft talk

can sometimes become a self-fulfilling

prophecy for example maybe the student

isn't bad at math maybe he just has a

teacher who explains things poorly but

because he now has this mindset Because

he believes he can't do math he actually

becomes bad at math this mindset might

prevent him from fully paying attention

attention in class it might make it

easier for him to give up on a homework

assignment and blame his poor number

skills look we all have our strengths

and weaknesses and I understand that

some students are genuinely stronger at

some subjects and weaker in others but

don't let your preconceived notions

about your ability prevent you from

trying in class I genuinely believe the

vast majority of students are so much

smarter than they think they are and I

think it's so important that we have

systems and teachers who can help

students see their full potential even

in their weaker subjects so I want you

to take some time to reflect and open

yourself up to the possibility that your

weaknesses are not actually weaknesses

realize that with a different study

approach or maybe even a different

mindset you might be able to do better

in math or science or history I know you

have it in you all right and mistake

number seven and this is a big one

disregarding your sleep back in freshman

year of high school I would go to bed at

around 10: p.m. wake up at around 6:00

and get 8 hours of sleep each night but

starting my softt year which is when I

started taking AP classes I started

going to bed at like 1 or 2:00 a.m.

every night I even remember going to bed

at 4:00 a.m. multiple times so yeah I

probably should have prioritized my

sleep a bit more and you're probably

aware of all the benefits improved

concentration increased energy less

stress better memory but there's one

study I want to show you in particular

it's called the causes and consequence

of sleepiness among college students and

it finds that students sleeping 9 plus

hours each night have a significantly

higher GPA than those sleeping six or

fewer hours those who got more sleep had

an average GPA of 3.24 and those who got

less sleep had an average of 2.74 now if

you want to improve your sleep I

recommend you do a few things as soon as

possible and I've been doing these

things myself first set up screen time

and turn on time limits for every single

social media app you have on your iPhone

you can even set different limits for

different days of the week so if you're

a student I recommend setting a more

aggressive time limit on on weekdays I

also recommend you stop using your phone

at least an hour before bed a research

paper from Harvard says and I quote we

found that the use of these devices

before bedtime prolongs the time it

takes to fall asleep delays the

Circadian rhythm suppresses levels of

the Sleep promoting hormone melatonin

reduces the amount and delays the timing

of REM sleep and reduces alertness the

following morning so yeah get your

sleeping and with that we have wrapped

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