My FINAL EXAM STUDY SYSTEM as a math prof

Dr. Trefor Bazett
2 Dec 202114:12
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script offers a comprehensive guide to effective cramming for exams, particularly for students of mathematics. The speaker, a math professor, shares personal experiences and strategies for studying efficiently when time is limited. Key points include mapping out a study schedule that spaces out and interleaves different types of content, engaging in active learning by solving problems and creating concept maps, and using technology like the Maple Calculator for efficient problem-solving. The importance of reviewing past mistakes, self-assessment, and making predictions about exam content is emphasized. Additionally, the script highlights the significance of maintaining physical health during exam periods through exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep.

Takeaways
  • 📅 Plan Your Study Schedule: Map out your exam period and study sessions, including review and practice for different subjects.
  • 🧠 Spaced Learning: Research suggests that learning is more effective when spaced out over time and interleaved with different subjects.
  • 🔍 Active Learning: Engage actively with the material by solving problems, creating concept maps, and making predictions about exam content.
  • 📝 Review Class Notes: Actively engage with class notes by covering up solutions and trying examples yourself, summarizing key points, and questioning why certain topics are covered.
  • 📚 Build a Concept Map: Create a visual scaffold of the course content to understand the connections between topics.
  • 📉 Practice Efficiently: Use tech tools like Maple Calculator to verify solutions and understand steps, focusing on understanding rather than just getting the answer.
  • 🤔 Reflect on Past Mistakes: Review past homework, quizzes, and tests to understand what went wrong and why, and adapt your study strategy accordingly.
  • 📝 Document Mistakes: Keep a record of past and new mistakes to review and understand the areas where you need to focus your studying.
  • 🤓 Self-Assessment: Regularly check your understanding by trying to solve problems without looking at the solutions first.
  • 🔮 Make Predictions: Practice predicting what types of problems will be on the exam to deepen your understanding of the course material and improve test performance.
  • 💪 Take Care of Yourself: Incorporate physical exercise, proper meals, and sleep into your study routine to maintain focus and memory.
Q & A

  • What is the speaker's profession and what experiences does he share about exams?

    -The speaker is a math professor who has taken various exams throughout his academic life, including undergraduate exams, graduate qualifying exams, and his PhD oral defense.

  • What does the speaker suggest about the ideal approach to learning?

    -The speaker suggests that ideally, learning should be spread out over time to avoid last-minute cramming, but acknowledges that this is not always possible due to human nature.

  • What is the speaker's first recommendation for preparing for exams?

    -The speaker's first recommendation is to map out a study schedule for the exam period, taking into account the timing of exams and the type of studying needed for each subject.

  • Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of spacing out study sessions and interleaving content from different courses?

    -The speaker emphasizes spacing out study sessions and interleaving content because research suggests it is more effective for learning and helps prevent forgetting from one study session to the next.

  • How does the speaker feel about the psychological effect of having a study schedule?

    -The speaker feels that having a study schedule provides a psychological boost and motivation, as it allows for a sense of accomplishment when tasks are completed and crossed off.

  • What is the speaker's opinion on passive learning activities such as reading notes or watching videos?

    -The speaker believes that while passive learning activities are useful, they are less effective than active learning where students take charge of their own learning by solving problems or building concept maps.

  • What are the three tricks the speaker suggests to make note-reading an active learning process?

    -The three tricks suggested are: 1) Covering up worked-out solutions and trying examples yourself, 2) Summarizing the main points of a class after reviewing notes, and 3) Reflecting on the 'why' behind the content and examples presented in class.

  • Why does the speaker recommend creating a scaffold of the entire course content?

    -The speaker recommends creating a scaffold to visualize all the connections between topics and to understand where new information fits into the larger context of the course.

  • What is the speaker's advice on how to approach practice problems efficiently when cramming?

    -The speaker advises using tech tools like Maple Calculator to verify solutions and understand steps, focusing on similarities and differences between problems, and doing one problem from each block of similar questions to ensure mastery of the learning objective.

  • How does the speaker suggest students deal with past mistakes in their studies?

    -The speaker suggests students go back through past homeworks, quizzes, and tests to understand what they did right and wrong, and to be self-reflective about the reasons for mistakes, which can inform their study strategies.

  • What is the speaker's view on the importance of physical health during exam preparation?

    -The speaker believes that physical health is crucial during exam preparation and advises students to exercise, eat well, and get enough sleep to maintain focus, memory, and recollection.

Outlines
00:00
📚 Effective Cramming Techniques for Exams

The speaker, a math professor, shares personal experiences and strategies for effective studying, especially when time is limited. They emphasize the importance of spreading out study sessions and interleaving different subjects for better retention. The professor suggests mapping out a study schedule, incorporating active learning techniques such as problem-solving and concept mapping, and engaging in self-reflection to understand the 'why' behind the material. They also highlight the psychological benefits of having a structured plan and the importance of being kind to oneself during stressful exam periods.

05:01
📈 Utilizing Tools and Active Learning for Study Efficiency

This paragraph focuses on the use of technology and active learning to enhance study efficiency. The professor recommends tools like the Maple Calculator for verifying solutions and understanding steps for problem-solving. They also suggest creating a comprehensive concept map to visualize connections between course topics. The importance of practice problems is stressed, with tips on being efficient by focusing on similarities and differences between problems and categorizing them based on learning objectives. The speaker also advises on reviewing past mistakes to identify and address gaps in understanding.

10:02
🧠 Embracing Self-Regulated Learning and Physical Well-Being

The final paragraph discusses the concept of self-regulated learning, where individuals tailor their study methods to their needs by reflecting on their progress and adapting strategies accordingly. The professor introduces Maple Learn as a tool for organizing and reviewing challenging problems. They also emphasize the role of self-assessment in identifying areas for improvement. Moreover, the speaker highlights the importance of physical well-being during exam periods, advocating for regular breaks, exercise, proper nutrition, and sleep to maintain cognitive function and overall health.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Exam cramming
Exam cramming refers to the practice of studying intensively for a short period of time before an exam, often as a last-minute effort. In the video, the professor acknowledges the commonality of cramming and shares strategies to make it more effective. The script mentions that ideally, learning should be spread out over time, but the professor admits to cramming until 3:30 a.m. for a PhD defense, illustrating the reality of cramming.
💡Spaced learning
Spaced learning is a study technique where learning is spread out over time, allowing for better retention and understanding of the material. The video emphasizes that research suggests learning is more effective when it's spaced out, rather than crammed into a single session. The professor recommends mapping out a study schedule that includes different types of studying for various courses throughout the exam period.
💡Interleaved learning
Interleaved learning involves mixing different types of content or subjects while studying, which can enhance learning by requiring the brain to differentiate between similar concepts. The script explains that interleaved learning is more effective because it helps to prevent forgetting and allows for better retrieval of information during an exam.
💡Study schedule
A study schedule is a plan that outlines when and how a student will study for upcoming exams. In the video, the professor suggests mapping out a study schedule that includes different types of studying, such as reviewing past tests or doing practice problems. The schedule helps in managing time and ensures that all subjects are covered effectively.
💡Active learning
Active learning is an approach where students engage in activities that require them to take charge of their own learning, such as solving problems or creating concept maps. The video contrasts passive learning, like reading notes or watching videos, with active learning, which is more effective for retaining information and understanding complex concepts.
💡Concept map
A concept map is a visual tool used to organize and represent knowledge, showing the relationships between different concepts. The professor recommends creating a concept map to visualize the connections between topics in the course, which helps in understanding the big picture and how different ideas relate to each other.
💡Practice problems
Practice problems are exercises that students work on to apply and reinforce their understanding of a subject. The video emphasizes that practice problems should be the bulk of studying, especially when cramming, and suggests being efficient by focusing on understanding the underlying concepts and strategies behind each problem.
💡Past mistakes
Reflecting on past mistakes is an important part of learning, as it helps students identify their weaknesses and areas for improvement. The script advises students to go through past homeworks, quizzes, and tests to understand what they did wrong and why, which can inform their studying strategy and help them avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
💡Self-regulated learning
Self-regulated learning is the ability of a student to take control of their own learning process, including setting goals, monitoring progress, and adjusting strategies as needed. The video mentions this concept in the context of reviewing past mistakes and self-assessing the effectiveness of one's studying methods.
💡Predictions
Making predictions about what will be on a test is a study technique that involves anticipating the types of problems and concepts that might be included. The professor suggests predicting easy, medium, and hard problems for each section of the textbook, which helps in preparing for the exam and understanding the learning objectives.
💡Physical health
Physical health refers to maintaining good physical well-being through exercise, proper nutrition, and sleep. The video emphasizes the importance of physical health during exam preparation, as it can affect memory, focus, and overall performance. The professor recommends taking breaks for exercise, eating well, and getting enough sleep to support effective studying.
Highlights

Learning should ideally be spread out over time to avoid last-minute cramming.

Exams can be stressful, but your grade does not define your success in mathematics.

Creating a study schedule for the exam period is crucial for effective learning.

Research suggests that spaced out and interleaved learning are more effective.

Active learning, such as solving problems yourself, is more beneficial than passive learning.

When reading class notes, cover up the solutions to verify your understanding.

Reflect on the big picture summary of class content to reinforce learning.

Understand the 'why' behind the material to engage actively with the content.

Creating a scaffold of the entire course content helps visualize connections between topics.

Practice problems should be the bulk of your studying, but be efficient with your time.

Use tech tools like Maple Calculator for efficient problem-solving and verification.

Focus on the structure and categories of problems to quickly formulate strategies on tests.

Review past mistakes to understand your weaknesses and improve your study plan.

Maple Learn can help collect and review challenging problems in one document.

Self-regulated learning involves reflecting on your study habits and adapting as needed.

Constant self-assessment helps gauge the effectiveness of your studying.

Making predictions about exam questions enhances understanding and preparation.

Maintaining physical health with exercise, proper meals, and sleep is crucial during exam season.

Use the Pomodoro Technique (50 minutes on, 10 minutes off) for focused studying with breaks.

Transcripts

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