How to Study for Exams - An Evidence-Based Masterclass

Ali Abdaal โ€ข October 3, 2023
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Ali Abdaal

@aliabdaal

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Hey, I'm Ali, a doctor turned entrepreneur, and the worldโ€™s most-followed productivity expert ๐Ÿ˜œ On this channel, we explore evidence-based strategies and tools that can help us be more productive, and build a life that we love. If that sounds interesting, consider subscribing! See you in the next video x

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Hope you enjoyed the video! If you fancy getting more productivity tips and practical life advice, join ProductiveNotes - my free, weekly newsletter - https://go.aliabdaal.com/productivenotes_desc MY PRODUCTIVITY APPS ๐Ÿ“ Momentum: Energising Habits (iOS) - Download Here โ†’ https://go.sparkle.so/momentum/ytd ๐Ÿ‘ป Voicepal: AI Writing App (iOS/Android) - Download for Free โ†’ https://go.aliabdaal.com/voicepal/ytd MY BOOK ๐Ÿ“• My New York Times bestselling book Feel-Good Productivity (2,000+ 5-star reviews) https://go.feelgoodproductivity.com/a... MY COURSES ๐Ÿš€ Build a $100k/year lifestyle business without quitting your day job โ†’ https://go.aliabdaal.com/lifestylebusinessytd ๐Ÿง  My Productivity System: LifeOS โ†’ https://go.aliabdaal.com/lifeos/ytd ๐Ÿค‘ Grow / Monetise your YouTube Channel โ†’ https://go.aliabdaal.com/PTYA/yt CONNECT WITH ME ๐Ÿ’Œ Join LifeNotes, my weekly email where I share what Iโ€™m reading & learning: https://go.aliabdaal.com/lifenotes/yt ๐Ÿ“ธ Instagram: https://instagram.com/aliabdaal ๐Ÿ‘จ๐Ÿ’ป Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-abdaal/ ๐ŸŒ My website / blog: https://www.aliabdaal.com/ ------------ Hey friends, so this is a 3 hour evidence-based studying course that I filmed a few years ago and put on Skillshare, but now I want to make it available to everyone for free. In this class, I'll take you through the well-kept secrets of how to study effectively and organise your workflow to be ready for exams when they come around. We'll also discuss why studying effectively and efficiently is one of the best ways to maintain a work-life balance. We'll break down (1) how to understand our content using techniques like the Feynman Method, Active Recall and various note-taking strategies, (2) how to remember our material with Spaced Repetition, Interleaving and various memory techniques, and (3) how to maintain focus while studying, from developing the motivation and discipline to do the work, to taking appropriate breaks and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. ๐Ÿ”— LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO - ๐Ÿ“‘ Get My Ultimate Studying Bundle here! https://play.aliabdaal.com/studying-bundle?utm_campaign=The%20Ultimate%20Studying%20Bundle&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_term=Long&utm_content=How%20to%20Study%20for%20Exams%20%283%20Hour%20Video%29 - Check out my Flashcard Masterclass with Anki here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zaKVFC9Eu4 ๐Ÿ“‘ STUDIES CITED: Improving Studentsโ€™ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: https://www.skillshare.com/en/classes/How-to-Study-for-Exams-An-Evidence-Based-Masterclass/728748026/projects Effectiveness of highlighting for retention of text material (Fowler & Barker 1974): https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1974-33185-001 Type of Highlighted Material and Examination Performance (Leicht & Cashen 2014): https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220671.1972.10884329?needAccess=true&instName=University+of+Cambridge&journalCode=vjer20& Better Mood and Better Performance: Learning Rule-Described Categories Is Enhanced by Positive Mood (Nadler et al 2010): https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797610387441 โŒš๏ธTIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 01:53 - 3 Steps to Effective Studying 04:46 - Understand Anything with The Feynman Technique 06:40 - The Science of Active Recall 08:44 - How to Learn New Content with Active Recall 10:25 - Taking Notes During Class 12:45 - Taking Notes After Class 17:40 - Scoping The Subject 20:16 - The Importance of Understanding 26:11 - Finding a Syllabus For Yourself 31:06 - The Magic of Spaced Repetition 35:11 - The Retrospective Revision Timetable 37:07 - The Spaced Repetition Journal 40:53 - The Power of Interleaved Practice 43:10 - Should You Reread Your Notes 45:10 - How to Highlight Effectively 46:50 - How to Use Flashcards Properly 56:15 - Flashcard Alternative - Google Sheets vs Anki 01:08:42 - Mind Maps 01:13:18 - Memory Techniques - Mnemonics 01:18:18 - Memory Techniques - The Peg System 01:23:50 - Memory Techniques - The Mind Palace 01:26:07 - The Essay Memorisation Framework 01:41:10 - The Active Recall Framework 01:58:10 - How to Use Anki Flashcards Properly 02:24:30 - Motivation is a Myth 02:31:44 - How to Reduce Distractions 02:35:32 - The Pomodoro technique - Pros and Cons 02:40:37 - The Best Music to Study With 02:42:54 - Maintaining Work Life Balance while Studying 02:46:28 - How to Study Effectively with Friends 02:48:35 - Conclusion PS: I donate 10% of my income to charity every year. Would you like to join me? Learn more about the 10% Pledge: https://aliabdaal.com/giving-what-we-can/

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