Cramming. Relearning over notes. As students, we have all been there. But what if the secret to acing tests resides in smarter systems instead of studying harder? In this case, we will explore game changing strategies to aid your learning, inspired by Scott Young’s Ultra learning. Fueling your desire to learn and remember more, while actually working alongside study sessions. Thoughtful for transforming your approach and learning to enjoy the process? Let us begin.
Discover Metal earning and Its Advantages
While we all get stuck in reading the same fragments, some students breeze through. ` It’s like that famous quote, sharpening your axe before chopping down a tree. Understanding how to tackle a certain subject effectively is called, metal earning. Beating a new subject requires asking the right questions, studying how other people resolved the issues and breaking it down into core elements. Just a little time aimed towards planning your approach can be beneficial and save loads of time that would otherwise be frustrating.
Study with Directness for Real Results
Think about trying to learn Japanese by watching grammar videos compared to actually speaking with people in Tokyo. Which seems more helpful? Directness is about perfecting skills within the context where they will be needed. If your exam is multiple choice questions, for example, skip all the note writing and focus on question answering. Learning to ride a bike is like this—no one reads a manual; everyone gets on a bike and pedals. Engaging in the real activity allows you to gain the confidence and ability to perform the task that is required on the day of the exam.
Incorporate Active Recall to Boost Retention
Here’s a truth bomb: just because studying feels easy doesn’t mean it’s working. Just going through your notes or watching the lecture videos may feel fluid to some, but it is equivalent to filling a bucket that has holes in it. Accessing your brain is highly stimulated during active recall—this is when true learning happens. So, try giving yourself flashcards, test yourself, or explain the concepts to someone who has no clue without looking at your notes. Even though those methods are strenuous, that difficulty is an indication that the brain is wiring itself to remember. Stronger the struggle, stronger the learning.
Shift Your Mindset About Effort
Thinking of studying as an effort, and an instant “I’m getting it” glow doesn’t come as a part of the process, effort is something that we try to avoid. But consider this: “effective” as an adjective has the ability to modify learning which in itself is overarching and often encompasses a plethora of techniques. Learning through stimuli in the shapes of practice tests or in the form of step-wise explaining builds stamina and that ‘mental glow.’ Mental glow is very similar to the muscular hypertrophy one is capable of achieving from spending time in the gym and the same applies for learning. When put in this light it helps us reframe our frustrations and lift our pensive attitude towards learning. The next time dreading the textbook for the xth time, ask yourself: “If am I too comfortable at this as an assumption, can this lead to effectiveness?” Yes, highlight your textbook instead, it stretches you to think laterally.
Prioritize Efficiency Over Hours
With striving long study sessions arises burnout as the only study high or close to it. Per goal progress never increases, chasing the deep work will lead towards goal completion. Stay off the radar and focus on high-level concepts like active recall and direct practice. Emphasizing these needs to less time to become versed with the material, which is not limited to passing exams. It is alongside gaining laze time at work, meeting with friends, or engaging in that side hustle fretting one has been dreaming about. Thrive in life needs to come to these statements merged with ‘smarter studying’.
Key Takeaways
- Master Metalearning: Plan your study approach upfront to learn faster and more effectively.
- Practice with Directness: Study in the context of your goal, like practicing exam-style questions for tests.
- Use Active Recall: Engage with material through flashcards or teaching to lock in knowledge.
- Embrace the Challenge: Hard study methods often yield the best results, so lean into the discomfort.
- Focus on Efficiency: Prioritize high-impact techniques to save time and reduce burnout.
Make It Your Own
Studying smarter isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula, and that’s the beauty of it. Whether you’re prepping for a final exam, learning a new skill, or chasing a passion project, these strategies can flex to fit your life. The key is to experiment—try active recall for a week, or test directness on a tough subject. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Start small, notice what works, and build from there. You’ve got the tools to unlock your potential, so why not take the first step today? Your future self will thank you.