To Do Well In College: Don't Work Hard, Work Efficiently
How to Succeed in College Courses Without Working Hard
In this video, the speaker provides advice on how to succeed in college courses without working hard. The key is to work efficiently and use your time effectively.
Reading Before Class
- Read the material before class to have background information in your head.
- This allows you to absorb and understand what's being said in class more efficiently.
- A later video lecture will cover how to read in a way that retains material.
Taking Notes in Class
- Taking notes forces you to pay attention during class.
- It also produces notes that can be looked back on later.
- Using time spent in class efficiently can lead to higher grades.
Taking Notes While Reading
- Take notes while reading for added efficiency.
- This process yields 50% comprehension of the material.
- After attending lecture with notes, comprehension increases to 95%.
- Spending 15 minutes revising notes after class bumps comprehension up to 99%.
Exam Review Process
- Spend three hours reviewing all of the notes taken throughout the semester for efficient exam preparation.
- Due to having comprehensive notes, there is no need for re-reading everything.
- Following this process leads to a high retention rate.
How to Get an A in College
In this section, the speaker explains how students can get an A in college by properly managing their time and studying efficiently.
Inefficient Study Methods
- Many students use inefficient study methods such as skimming readings and not taking notes during lectures.
- This leads to a low comprehension rate of only 5% for each reading and 25% for each lecture.
- Despite spending less time studying, these students end up with a poor understanding of the material.
Cramming vs. Consistent Studying
- Students who cram before exams end up with a retention rate of only 20%, resulting in poor grades.
- By consistently studying throughout the semester, students can spend less time overall while achieving better grades.
Efficient Study Methods
- To study efficiently, students should read thoroughly before class, take detailed notes during lectures, and review their notes regularly.
- By following these methods, students can achieve a high comprehension rate of 80% or more and earn an A in college.
Efficient Studying
In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of efficient studying and how it can lead to better grades with less effort.
Distribute Effort Throughout Semester
- Less cramming and craziness at the end if you distribute the effort throughout the semester.
- Take advantage of being in class with the professor who made or knows all the answers to the exam.
Efficient Process
- Getting a good grade efficiently is possible by working efficiently.
- Students who get an A do not necessarily work harder or are smarter but work more efficiently.
Notes as a Tool for Efficiency
- Taking notes during reading, lectures, and revising them after class is a tool for efficiency.
- Notes help in squeezing out more comprehension and retention from time spent on reading or attending lectures.
- Notes are a time-saving tool if used effectively.
Focus During Study Time
In this section, the speaker uses an analogy of bodybuilding to emphasize that students should focus during their study time like bodybuilders focus during their workout time.
Bodybuilder Analogy
- The speaker shares an anecdote about two bodybuilders where one was stronger than the other despite spending equal amounts of time in the gym.
- The stronger bodybuilder attributed his strength to focusing on lifting weights instead of distractions like looking at himself in mirrors or fussing with headphones.
Focusing During Study Time
- Students should think of their college time like a bodybuilder thinks about their gym time.
- During class, students should focus on taking notes and listening carefully without distractions like phones.
- During reading sessions, students should put away their phones and avoid distractions.