Summary of How to Finish 6 Months of Study in 72 Hours

Main Ideas and Concepts

• Introduction to Cramming: Dr. Justin Sun discusses the necessity of effective Cramming techniques for exams when time is severely limited, emphasizing that while Cramming is not ideal, it can be a useful skill.
• Personal Experience: He shares a personal anecdote from medical school where he had to cram for an exam, resulting in a poor grade, which taught him valuable lessons about studying effectively under pressure.
• Understanding Exam Structure
  • Exam Creation Insight: Understanding how exams are structured helps students focus on what to study. Most exams are based on Learning Objectives and frameworks like Bloom's Taxonomy.
  • Levels of Learning: Exams often test different levels of understanding, ranging from basic recall to higher-order thinking, such as analysis and evaluation.
• Strategic Cramming
  • Identify Learning Objectives: Before studying, identify the key Learning Objectives and the levels of understanding required for each.
  • Focus on High-Value Information: Prioritize studying material that offers the most logical connections and reasoning capabilities (referred to as "logic points").
  • Be Selective: Accept that you will miss some information and strategically choose what to focus on based on its relevance and potential to help with logical reasoning.
• Three-Day Study Plan
  • Day 1: Spend 1-2 hours identifying Learning Objectives and prioritizing high-logic-point material. Focus on simpler lectures that cover essential topics.
  • Day 2: Review lower-logic-point material that was skipped on Day 1, still aiming to cover as many lectures as possible.
  • Day 3: Fill in any remaining gaps in knowledge, focusing on details that may be necessary for the exam. Use techniques like flashcards or Memory Palaces for memorization.
• Long-Term Learning: While this method is tailored for Cramming, it can also be adapted for longer study periods, allowing for deeper processing of information.
• Conclusion: Dr. Sun emphasizes that while Cramming is not the best approach, utilizing a strategic method can enhance the likelihood of passing an exam.

Methodology for Cramming

• Identify Learning Objectives:
  • Review the syllabus or course materials to determine key Learning Objectives.
  • Assess the expected levels of understanding (lower-order to higher-order thinking).
• Prioritize Study Material:
  • Focus on content with high "logic points" that can help with logical deductions.
  • Skip less relevant, detailed information initially.
• Three-Day Study Schedule:
  • Day 1:
    • Identify Learning Objectives and levels of assessment.
    • Focus on high-logic-point material.
  • Day 2:
    • Review lower-logic-point material that was previously skipped.
  • Day 3:
    • Address any gaps in knowledge and memorize necessary details.

Featured Speaker

• Dr. Justin Sun: Learning coach and former medical doctor, who shares his expertise in efficient learning strategies and Cramming techniques.

Notable Quotes

— 03:00 — « If you haven't started studying for something 3 days before your exam and you're expecting to still do really well, you're either a genius or you're delusional. »

— 03:02 — « Dog treats are the greatest invention ever. »

— 08:26 — « How can we help our brain figure out what the right answer is even when it doesn't actually know the right answer? »

— 10:00 — « Not all information is the same value from a logical reasoning perspective. »

— 15:10 — « If you can do that, there is a really good chance that with that alone you could pass. »

Category

Educational

Video