Skip to main content

How to study Efficient like top students

While there is no perfect formula for everyone, I want to share some study techniques that have allowed various people to excel through high school and other academics.

  1. Top students practice self-discipline instead of relying on motivation. I’ve touched on this quite a bit in my previous posts, but the gist is if we wait until we feel motivated to complete an assignment, we will have wasted precious time putting it off and also added unnecessary stress. Instead, we need to schedule out or write down when we will be completing this assignment, whether we want to or not. This leads me to my next point.
  2. Top students stay organized. I carry a planner where I write down my schedule for the day and any new homework that I receive. I’ve written out important dates (like exams and essay due dates) on a large calendar in my room so that no assignment sneaks up on me. Knowing exactly what needs to be done allows me to be uber-productive and never be surprised by an assignment or exam.
  3. Top students actively review. A student who passively reviews will spend several hours rereading notes or the textbook and probably score worse than the student who actively reviews for half the time. Here are two different ways I actively review.
    1. For quantitative subjects like calculus and chemistry, I do as many problems as I can, and while I’m doing them, I explain my steps out-loud like I’m teaching a class.
    2. For subjects like anatomy and my introductory neuroscience class that require memorization, I use a program called Anki, which is basically a flashcard app. On one side of the flashcard, I’ll ask, “From which two sources does the NS receive blood?” I’ll ponder, and then answer from the left & right internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Actively reviewing and retrieving information helps you to internalize the material much better than passively rereading and/or highlighting.
  4. Top students use spaced repetition. Instead of cramming and forgetting everything two days after the exam, I use spaced repetition where I review the material almost every day (Anki is very beneficial for this process), and after the fourth or fifth time seeing it, I will have internalized the material so well that it will stick with me. Don’t cram; study a little every day.
  5. Top students use external sources to aid them. Who cares if your professor didn’t explain the material well enough? It’s up to you to stop complaining and figure it out. If I don’t understand the material, I first go to YouTube or Khan Academy and see if that can help me. If not, I call a friend. If that doesn’t work either (which rarely happens), I go to my professor’s office hours. You have to be proactive.
  6. Top students have a purpose. The majority of top students have a purpose. For me, I want to advance the field of paralysis and aid in finding a cure. Without that purpose, I doubt I would try as hard or care as much. If you find your purpose, you can do anything.
I hope this lengthy answer was somewhat beneficial in any way.
Labels:
Location: Japan

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Feynman Technique Model to learn better

The Feynman Technique is a  Mental Model  named after  Richard Feynman , a Nobel Prize Winning Physicist. It is designed as a technique to help you learn pretty much learn anything - so understand concepts you don't really get, remember stuff you have already learnt, or study more efficiently. The Feynman Technique was actually a big inspiration for this blog - I try and apply this to a lot of the concepts and Mental Models that I write about. The technique can be broken down into four easy steps, but first a quick video from  Scott Young  that sums it up very simply. Learn Faster with the Feynman Technique  So now for a recap of the steps: Step 1 Write the name of the concept at the top of a blank piece of paper. Step 2 Write down an explanation of the concept on the page. Use plain English. Pretend you are teaching it to someone else (e.g a new student). This should highlight what you understand, but more importantly ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How can you improve your life?

  The 18 unconventional ways to elevate your consciousness, expand your influence and ultimately improve your life. Have sex.  There's something unflinchingly "human” about a sexual experience. It builds something within you that connects deeply to nature. A confidence is built. From a person who went stretches- sometimes over a year- without having sex due to deeply rooted sexual anxieties (fear of climaxing too quick, that I wasn't “good enough” in bed, distaste of one-night-encounters etc) rediscovering the feeling you get in your life while being sexually active has really made a positive impact. Introduce yourself to anyone and everyone.  Human beings are social creatures by nature. With that in mind, it is imperative to make your presence known in any room you're in. Don't you hate that feeling when you're at a party or gathering, you go there with a friend and the friend doesn't introduce you to anyone? It sucks. Extreme responsibility is needed on y...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is life too short for?

Spending time  in damaging relationships  — whether its parents, partner or friends, put yourself first. Trying  to please everyone  — by doing meaningless favors, making decisions based on other’s opinion, etc. Pursuing  a career that you don’t care  about — to make your parents happy or to fit into society. Procrastination —  waiting for the day  when you will finally start crushing your goals. Avoiding pain  — not taking risks, staying in your comfort zone, not working enough, etc. Unconsciously watching Tv, movies, social media — trying to  escape the reality  of your life. Never growing as a person, realizing your potential — just  being okay with a mediocre you. You wouldn’t give away your money for free, then why do you give away your time — giving it away to  people you don’t like. Working a 9–5  job that you hate  but never making efforts to get out of it. Above all, not pursuing true joy and f...
Post a Comment
Read more