Summary
Highlights
The speaker, having studied a wide range of subjects, highlights that studying different subjects like math and English with the same approach is ineffective. He shares his accumulated knowledge on how to achieve good grades across various disciplines by categorizing them into three main types.
Conceptual subjects, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Psychology, require extensive understanding of concepts. The recommended approach involves three steps: memorize, understand, and apply. Flashcards are suggested for memorization due to their effectiveness in practiced informational retrieval. Understanding is crucial, as it simplifies memorization, and tables are recommended to grasp connections between concepts. Finally, applying knowledge through practice questions and past papers is essential to master these subjects.
Technical subjects like Math, Computer Science, Engineering, and Music, require 'doing stuff'. The key to excelling in these subjects is consistent practice and repetition. For instance, in math, solving numerous questions builds proficiency. While practice is paramount, understanding the 'why' behind certain procedures, often achieved through watching work solutions, is also vital. Flashcards can still be useful for recalling specific details among the heavy practice.
Analytical subjects such as Literature, English, History, and Philosophy, primarily involve essay writing. Excelling in these subjects combines elements of conceptual and technical approaches. It requires memorizing effective essay structures and applying them through extensive writing practice. Reviewing exemplar essays and utilizing acronyms for analysis are recommended strategies.
The speaker notes that subjects often fall into multiple categories (like Economics, which is technical due to math and analytical due to essays) and encourages students to mix and merge these study techniques. He promotes his 'Student Accelerator' program for further resources and personalized guidance.