The study tip they’re NOT telling you | How I went from a 2:2 to 80% at Cambridge University

Abbey Robins

18 Jan 202317:41

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRAbby, a Cambridge chemical engineering graduate, shares transformative study tips that elevated her academic performance. She emphasizes working less and more effectively, debunking the myth of long study hours. Abby advocates for active learning over passive note-taking, using question cards and deep focus to enhance understanding and recall. She also stresses the importance of doing past papers without time limits to train the brain for exam conditions, ultimately achieving a balance between study and enjoyment.

Takeaways

🎓 Abby graduated with a master's in chemical engineering from Cambridge University after four years of study.
📚 Initially, Abby struggled with university workload and found it difficult to find effective study techniques.
🔍 Abby discovered a study technique that significantly improved her academic performance, which she shares in the video.
🕒 The video emphasizes the importance of working less, contrary to the common belief that more hours lead to better results.
🚫 Abby warns against the ineffectiveness of studying for long hours without breaks, which can lead to exhaustion and poor understanding.
💡 She introduces the concept of deep focus and how it differs from the type of work done by successful individuals like Elon Musk.
📉 Abby cites studies that show a decrease in productivity after working more than 50 hours a week, suggesting a limit to effective studying hours.
📝 She advises against relying solely on note-taking as a study method, as it can be a form of passive learning that doesn't necessarily lead to understanding.
🤓 Abby promotes active learning, which involves engaging with the material to create deep connections in the brain for better recall.
📖 For wordy subjects, Abby recommends reading, highlighting key points, and creating question cards for active recall practice.
📝 She also suggests using past papers as a study tool, but emphasizes the importance of doing them without time limits to encourage deep thinking.
🧘‍♀️ Abby concludes by encouraging a balanced approach to studying, including taking breaks, having fun, and avoiding overwork for better learning outcomes.

Q & A

What did Abby graduate with from Cambridge University in 2022?
-Abby graduated with a master's degree in chemical engineering from Cambridge University in 2022.
What was Abby's initial academic performance at university?
-Abby initially struggled with the workload at university and was not a straight-A student as she had been before.
What did Abby find as the study technique that transformed her academic results?
-Abby found that working less and focusing on active learning and deep focus was the study technique that transformed her academic results.
Why is working long hours not effective for studying according to Abby's experience?
-Working long hours is not effective for studying because it leads to exhaustion and a lack of deep focus, which is necessary for understanding complex concepts and material.
What is the difference between studying and working as described by Abby?
-Studying involves deep focus on complex tasks, while working, as exemplified by Elon Musk, includes various activities like phone calls, emails, and meetings that do not require the same level of concentrated effort.
Who is Terence Tao and what does he suggest about the波动nature of deep focus?
-Terence Tao is a renowned mathematician who suggests that the ability to do serious work fluctuates greatly from day to day, indicating that deep focus comes in waves and is not consistent.
What does the study by John Pencavel suggest about working hours and productivity?
-The study by John Pencavel suggests that productivity decreases after working more than 50 hours a week, which equates to more than 7.2 hours a day.
Why did Abby find making notes ineffective for her learning process?
-Abby found making notes ineffective because it was a passive learning process that did not create deep connections in her brain necessary for recalling information during exams.
What is active learning and how does it differ from passive learning?
-Active learning is a method where you not only absorb information but also reproduce it in ways that confirm your understanding, allowing for analysis, evaluation, and improved memory retention. It differs from passive learning, which involves simply rewriting or reading information without deeply engaging with it.
What is Abby's advice on using past papers for studying?
-Abby advises to work on past paper questions without a time limit, focusing on deep thinking and understanding rather than rushing through questions to meet an artificial deadline.
What is the main takeaway from Abby's video on studying?
-The main takeaway is to avoid overworking, focus on active learning and deep focus, take enjoyable breaks, and not to strive for perfection in studying, as it should be a chaotic and engaging process.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 From Overwhelm to Mastery: Abby's Academic Transformation

Abby, a chemical engineering graduate from Cambridge University, shares her journey of academic struggle and eventual success. Initially a straight-A student, she faced challenges adapting to university workloads. After numerous trials, she discovered an unconventional study technique that significantly improved her results. Abby emphasizes the importance of working less and more effectively, debunking the myth that longer study hours equate to better grades. She introduces the concept of deep focus and contrasts Abby's previous ineffective 11.5-hour study days with the reality of what constitutes productive studying.

05:02

📚 The Myth of Productivity: Balancing Study and Life

This paragraph delves into the ineffectiveness of Abby's initial study routine, which involved long hours but lacked deep focus. Abby references studies by John Pencale and Anders Ericsson to argue that overworking leads to exhaustion and reduced productivity. She suggests a maximum of 7.2 hours of focused study per day, advocating for a balance that includes leisure activities and self-care to prevent burnout. Abby's personal experience with scheduling fun and maintaining separation from work during off hours is highlighted as a key strategy for her improved academic performance.

10:03

🚫 Beyond Note-Taking: Embracing Active Learning

Abby challenges the common practice of extensive note-taking, describing it as a passive learning method that often leads to superficial understanding. She admits her own previous reliance on this method and its ineffectiveness. Abby introduces active learning as a superior approach, which involves engaging with the material deeply to enhance comprehension and recall. She provides a step-by-step guide on how to apply active learning in studying, especially for complex subjects like mathematics, by deriving equations and creating question cards for periodic review.

15:05

📝 Mastering Exam Preparation: Active Recall and Past Papers

In the final paragraph, Abby discusses the importance of using past papers for effective exam preparation. She criticizes her initial approach of time-pressured practice, which failed to foster deep thinking. Abby recommends an alternative method of tackling past papers without time constraints to encourage active recall and problem-solving skills. She emphasizes the benefits of this method in building confidence and familiarity with exam material. Abby concludes with a reminder to avoid perfectionism in studying, to maintain a chaotic yet focused study environment, and to prioritize balance to ensure effective learning.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the design, development, and production of chemicals, materials, and related processes. In the video, the speaker mentions graduating from Cambridge University with a master's degree in Chemical Engineering, which provides the context for the academic challenges and study techniques discussed throughout the video.

💡Study Techniques

Study Techniques refer to the methods and strategies used to enhance learning and retention of information. The video's theme revolves around the transformation of academic results through effective study techniques. The speaker shares her personal journey and the discovery of a study technique that significantly improved her academic performance.

💡Deep Focus

Deep Focus is a state of concentration where one's attention is fully absorbed in a task, allowing for high levels of cognitive engagement and understanding. The video emphasizes the importance of deep focus in studying, contrasting it with the ineffectiveness of long hours of passive studying and advocating for shorter, more focused study sessions.

💡Productivity

Productivity in the context of the video refers to the efficiency and effectiveness of one's study time. The speaker discusses how working long hours can lead to decreased productivity and instead promotes the idea of working less to achieve better focus and understanding, citing studies to support this approach.

💡Passive Learning

Passive Learning is the process of acquiring knowledge without actively engaging with the material, such as simply listening or reading without applying the information. The video criticizes passive learning methods like excessive note-taking, which the speaker found to be ineffective for her, and instead encourages active learning strategies.

💡Active Learning

Active Learning involves actively engaging with the material to be learned, such as through questioning, discussing, or applying the knowledge in various ways. The speaker advocates for active learning as a method to create deep connections in the brain, which aids in understanding and recall, using examples from her own experience in Chemical Engineering.

💡Note-Taking

Note-Taking is the act of recording information during a lecture or while studying. In the video, the speaker reflects on her previous reliance on note-taking, which she later realized was not an effective study method for her. She suggests that note-taking can be a form of passive learning and encourages viewers to consider more active learning techniques.

💡Past Papers

Past Papers refer to previous years' examination papers, which are often used for practice and to familiarize oneself with the exam format and types of questions. The video discusses the importance of using past papers as a study tool but criticizes the approach of rushing through them under time pressure, instead advocating for a more thoughtful and in-depth engagement with each question.

💡Overworking

Overworking is the act of working excessively long hours without adequate rest or breaks. The speaker shares her experience of overworking, which led to exhaustion and poor academic performance. The video's message warns against overworking and suggests that a balanced approach to studying, including taking breaks and engaging in enjoyable activities, is more beneficial.

💡Academic Performance

Academic Performance refers to the achievements and outcomes of a student's educational activities, such as grades and understanding of subject matter. The video's central theme is improving academic performance through the implementation of effective study techniques and a balanced approach to studying, as illustrated by the speaker's personal transformation.

Highlights

Graduated from Cambridge University with a master's in chemical engineering after four years of study.

Achieved an 80 in the Master's thesis after overcoming initial academic struggles.

Abby introduces a transformative study tip that improved her academic performance.

Initially struggled with university workload despite being a straight-A student.

The importance of working less for better study effectiveness.

The myth of working long hours for academic success debunked.

Differentiating between productive work hours and study hours.

Elon Musk's workweek example and its inapplicability to studying.

The distinction between deep focus in studying versus varied tasks in working.

Terence Tao's approach to studying with fluctuations in deep focus.

The inefficiency of studying for over 11.5 hours a day.

John K. Pencale's study on the reduction of productivity after working more than 50 hours a week.

Anders Ericsson's research suggesting a limit to deep work capacity.

Scheduling fun and relaxation to prevent burnout and enhance study efficiency.

The downside of passive learning through excessive note-taking.

Advocating for active learning to create deep connections in the brain.

Using question cards and active recall to improve information retention.

The ineffectiveness of timed practice for past papers in learning.

The benefits of tackling past papers without time constraints for deep learning.

The importance of balance and not overworking for effective studying.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

How to study for exams - Evidence-based revision tips

4.O GPA IN COLLEGE ~ 10 TIPS FOR STRAIGHT A'S | PRE-MED & STEM

how to ALWAYS get straight A's WITHOUT BURNING OUT (study + time management tips)

How to EASILY score A+ for ALL SCIENCE SPM + NOTES | Biology, Chemistry, Physics

the ASIAN SECRET to STUDYING EFFECTIVELY

How to Make an Interview Conversational

The study tip they’re NOT telling you | How I went from a 2:2 to 80% at Cambridge University

Takeaways

Q & A

What did Abby graduate with from Cambridge University in 2022?

What was Abby's initial academic performance at university?

What did Abby find as the study technique that transformed her academic results?

Why is working long hours not effective for studying according to Abby's experience?

What is the difference between studying and working as described by Abby?

Who is Terence Tao and what does he suggest about the波动nature of deep focus?

What does the study by John Pencavel suggest about working hours and productivity?

Why did Abby find making notes ineffective for her learning process?

What is active learning and how does it differ from passive learning?

What is Abby's advice on using past papers for studying?

What is the main takeaway from Abby's video on studying?