The study tips they’re NOT telling you | How I went from Failing to 1st at Cambridge University

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I was flopping my first year at Cambridge University despite all the hard work I was doing. Almost failing my January exams really made me think maybe this is my limit, maybe I just can’t do any better. Then I had a wake-up call. I realised my mistakes. I made some changes and ended up top 10 at Cambridge University. The whole reason I’m making this video is to help us realise that the problem isn’t within us, it’s not about intelligence, but it’s about the way we learn. There were 2 main mistakes limiting my learning, understanding and ability to memorise. I started by stopping these. Then, I made 3 changes to more efficiently learn new material and 2 further changes to improve my ability to memorise things both for retention and also for speed. I’m hoping that showing how I practically used evidence based techniques and also used my own rapid memorisation tactics, will help you get out of the slump and do the best you can! #howto #study #exam
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Timestamps:
00:00 -
01:02 - Two Mistakes
04:49 - Pre-read
07:48 - Active Presence
09:48 - Post-read
12:03 - Weekend Review
13:43 - Rapid Memorisation
If you have any questions, drop me a 📫 message on 📸 Instagram (@doctorshaene) or comment below. And, if you’d like to read the ✒️written blog post on this, please visit 📌www.doctorshaene.com.
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👨🏽‍⚕️Who am I?
My name’s Shaene and I’m a 🏥Doctor in Oxford, 🏛a Cambridge Uni grad and 🧠neuroscience supervisor. I produce content about writing✍🏽, study tips📚, productivity⏰, science🔬 and life🏃‍♂️.
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I use my channel to share advice and information for students about writing✍🏽, study tips📚 & productivity⏰.
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[@DoctorShaene]

Timestamps: 01:02 - Two Mistakes 04:49 - Pre-read 07:48 - Active Presence 09:48 - Post-read 12:03 - Weekend Review 13:43 - Rapid Memorisation

[@LeahRebecca]

include 00:00 and it puts them on the vid!

[@rakshithak6903]

hey r u indian

[@gionsina7373]

​@@rakshithak6903dinga dinga dinga

[@rlee1864]

these are some of the techniques that i've been incorporating into my study routine! and I actually went from getting a 1.4 GPA (nearly dropped out from school) to dean's list in a year's time! :)) i believe everyone has the ability to change substantially in a very short period of time!

[@ekramezziden9051]

Thankyou so much for sharing this story!

[@PGY2000]

Tell me more. I am currently a 2.6 GPA looking for ways to completely overhaul how I do things because I recently realized I wanted to persue medicine. Any schedules or anything that might help?

[@adam4311]

@@PGY2000 ik my suggestion might sound generic af but study to understand the content instead of just memorising, i used to have a 2.5gpa in high school n i started taking college srsly now i have a 3.8

[@PGY2000]

@@adam4311 That is AMAZING progress. I'll definitely try harde to understand rather than memorize. Thank you :)

[@adam4311]

@@PGY2000 btw what i meant then by understanding the content is to understand the concepts. For example, when you study something like economics and come across the monetary policy. One of the examples that governments use to help better the country's currency power is by buying back their own currency in the market to cut down on the supply of its currency available. When doing so, the supply which will decrease will then result in the increase of the power of the currency. Instead of just remembering that buying back currency = decrease in supply, understand why doing so causes the later. And try breaking complex things down into different basic things which makes understanding a lot easier for you.

[@joshuabinugeorge7444]

Came from tiktok and I'm gonna put these techniques for my Law degree . Thank you

[@DoctorShaene]

Whoo 🙌 wishing you the best with it 🙌

[@edwardblack9263]

damn, put tiktok in the bin man. for greatness. But great props for listening and implementing. Ad maiora

[@natashaxxiii]

I wish that I found this before my 3rd year of uni. I was so depressed. I was on the edge of failing. I worked so hard with no socialising whatsoever but I still ended up with 2:2. I spent majority of my time studying but I was wrong. I was genuinely depressed. This video helped me realised what a rookie mistake I did. I’m so thankful! It was well explained and structured! Thank you so so much!

[@DoctorShaene]

I wish you the very best 💕

[@Diamond-rl2on]

You got this

[@allenl9214]

You can go get multiple degrees online or in person now and never stop learning 😂

[@Diamond-rl2on]

@@allenl9214 true and get a beautiful job

[@hafiawafda4255]

Best Learning: 1. Pre-Read: - Understanding the materials - Mapping the concept - Search the unknown word/term - Make question for the class 2. Active Presence - Note the key point of the lecture 3. Post-Read - Chunking - Active Recall 4. Weekly Review - Spaced repetition: Use the same strategy as Post-read

[@victornegri9059]

That was gamechanging for me, thank you so much!

[@mahmoodarend1673]

I actually went through a similar experience last year in second year... also flunked a test and realized I needed to change my studying. I’ve been trying to find different methods to see what works for me but not many helped me. Your video really changed my opinion because during lockdown I was actually planning on making notes for all my lectures😅😅😅

[@DoctorShaene]

Honestly it’s so important to try new things to see what will work for you and actually be open to make changes. The changes I made worked for me and I’ve tried to tie it with research evidence as much as possible. So try it out and see what’ll work for you. Wishing you the best 🙌

[@rosea.2222]

As an a-level student the pre-reading makes so much sense and I feel like it’s going to be insanely helpful. Thank you!!

[@junweiau4601]

Doctor Shaene rly out here saving lives, honestly can't wait to use these concepts when I get to University! Thank you Shaene!!

[@stressedstudent-_-4398]

Bro these tips are gold, gonna use these towards my Biomed degree, it helps it draws similarity with medicine. I found a lot of the things you've said in the video but i struggled to come up with a framework of learning, so this is really helpful! Don't know why this doesn't have more views! :D

[@vansabali]

This video is a good reminder of training teachers to actually share material well and in a more interactive and fun manner across all ages.

[@Denti777]

I am currently struggling my way through studying for my biggest exam to date and this was a very informative and helpful video. I'm giving you a follow.

[@JuanGabriel-oi9vk]

I am in a Naval Construction Academy in the US and the amount of material that is required to learn in a few days is insane. But these techniques are going to help me accelerate and expand my retention rate. Thank you for this information!

[@musicbeachdance]

Just finding this video! I’ve been doing well throughout my first two years so far, but like you I felt a plateau and I am using these techniques to break through that! Thank you for sharing this advice/these techniques they really are helpful 😊

[@DC-in7cu]

Wow! I had been studying like this my entire school life until I tried to do something different while preparing for a licensing exam, I started using Anki and Notion for active recall by watching Ali's videos. Even paid for Quizlet!. Turns out I am a bit lazy and 5 months later, I have not even covered 30% for course material. The methods described by Shaene in this video is the only option I have left, unfortunately, and I had been accustomed to this way of studying in the past. At least, I now know that these worked for someone so well. Hopefully, I am able to cover the rest of the syllabus in 40 days. Please wish me luck!

[@fetabrown]

Have seen a fair few study videos and Learnt a few techniques over the years as well. But, still actually picked up a couple of good tips on this one. Thanks for this excellent video.🔥

[@havimar7574]

Thank you for the video! Will definitely be using these next year.

[@DoctorShaene]

Yesss 🙌

[@almadelatierra5153]

Mate you’re videos are so well made I just found your channel an hour ago and been watching your videos since, how come you dont have a million subscribers? Your videos give me inspiration to study! Greetings from Germany!

[@DoctorShaene]

Yoo thanks so much! 💕

[@lynn-rae]

This is incredible. Wish I knew this at the start of the academic year but better late than never. Best studying tips I've ever gotten. Thank you!!

[@DoctorShaene]

Best of luck!

[@susanlee5305]

thank you so much for providing these tips. very effective

[@ruthbambi2632]

He’s describing my whole study course, ist feels so good to be not alone 😭😭😭

[@RB-nh1om]

same lol i feel so exposed

[@rahmahmohamed1598]

Such a great video, everyone needs to see this!!!

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks so much!

[@fathmathhamna1133]

Thank you so much The video was really helpful. Will start implementing some of these changes ASAP. Looking forward for more uploads from you. ❤

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks so much! 🙌

[@Teddy-cj1fv]

The stories for memorising is actually amazing - great video!

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks so much!

[@cattelgibson5354]

God bless you, Shaene. This has helped me a lot!

[@rachael1010]

I started uni two months ago and your channel has been really helpful for me. Thank you so much!

[@DoctorShaene]

Best of luck!

[@elizabethshannon100]

Thanks, this really assists with the application of applied knowledge, which I need for my masters degree exams.

[@stevenschnabel7578]

Love this - I’ll being applying this over the summer in prep for 3rd year 😁

[@DoctorShaene]

Sick! Hope it works out!

[@mathisg28]

Thank you so much... It really helps me to find out my mistakes.. Thank you once again♥️

[@TraversingSacred]

Nice video, very insightful!

[@Warrage666]

Thank you very much for these great tips. Wish you all the best :)

[@anu0180]

Thank you so much. I find all your videos really useful and informative. I found your channel via tik tok and I’m glad I did. Keep doing what your doing❤️!!

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks so much! So glad you’re finding it useful! 🙌

[@lndnx4449]

This is brilliant, keep up the great videos!!!

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks 🙌

[@imaanali5092]

I tried this and jumped from a grade 6 to a grade 9 in gcse. Great channel!!

[@sailing9434]

This is amazing. Thank you !!!

[@DoctorShaene]

Glad you like it!

[@ziakanji6562]

this was really good thank you so much !

[@DoctorShaene]

Glad it was useful! 🙌

[@TheGreatVerlin]

Thanks for this great video, sir

[@Jazz-469]

I Literally love you due, i have been studying hard and falling behind. Watching this video is a chef kiss.

[@tabarakqassim]

well done on the editing, quite resembles Ali Abdaal's quality, good job! :)

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks! Haha Ali’s GOAT

[@comet3439]

Man tnk god I needed this…. I did do bad in my test today… I’ve been feeling so bad, I couldn’t even sleep….tnk you so much 😭😭 this is why I like internet sometimes it helps u out….

[@nusratjahandola4596]

That was really helpful information ♥️♥️

[@peterjones6226]

Really well explained 👍

[@sujata8957]

what better way to spend a Tuesday evening than binge-watching your videos!

[@DoctorShaene]

🙏🏽💕

[@AmritaSRajj]

I am going to implement these strategies now...thankyou..🙏

[@EstherMNan]

Realising that the problem isnt me, inherently. Beautiful. thank you for this

[@IOwnKazakhstan]

holy shit top 10 at cambridge is fkn insane. I used to be low key a bit of a deadbeat but I kinda revived my grades and got my first ever academic award in years and I didn't realize how huge the community of school sweats is. Kinda cool to see the type of person like you who gets insane grades but can also be a chill and cool guy and not the typa anti social person I thought all u guys were.

[@harrietking8768]

This was very useful thank you. I do chunking/make up stories/and mnemonics too! But I need to get better at my reading. Thank you

[@sehanpunchihewa2945]

Awesome content!

[@marcworkout2484]

you described exactly my whole studying method, glad to know i'm going in the right direction 👺

[@alinesantana7925]

that is a very helpful video! Congrats

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks 😊🙌

[@sarahaitham73]

the rapid memorization idea was certainly unique, thank you

[@agumualiuspumm1331]

Gonna practice this method right now!

[@DoctorShaene]

best of luck! let me know how it works out 😄

[@carolinemcgovern8059]

As someone with Spld's who never had any reasonable adjustments, I found this fascinating. Will really try to implement them in my upcoming studies.

[@DoctorShaene]

Best of luck!

[@semilorekaji-hausa2078]

Spids?

[@dhritibindra1248]

solid content, presentation, connectivity🔥keep going! worth subscribing👍🌟

[@saifmunir2081]

I'm currently in my 2nd year studying building surveying. expected a 2:2 but border line on a fail. going to try this study method and at least get a 2:1 or even a 1st.

[@DoctorShaene]

You’ve got this!

[@DrDinooshDeLivera]

Thank you!

[@sundaysmith5942]

Been trying for past few years to find better way to study, i wish they would taught this back in the 80s when i was in high school, try to survive college and a career change, thank you, will try this for my microbiology class

[@PeterLawrence193]

Great video, I am sure that this video will help my son and daughter

[@JakeRichardsong]

Thank you, useful.

[@Mr_Reb3llion]

Wow. Mind=blown. Thank you so much :)

[@DoctorShaene]

Glad it was useful!

[@LeahRebecca]

this is great!

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks so much!

[@sopafria6039]

whoa what a great video! you explained everything so well. i am actually... excited (?) to implement this into my academic life since all I do is write notes... seriously, thanks! also, your video editing skills are wonderful and makes it even more interesting to keep watching :-) woo

[@sonitclef8675]

11:00 this is similar to the memorization strategy i use when revising psychology at A-level.

[@tameshwarpersaud6926]

Today is my first day watching your videos and I love them

[@arilein5699]

First year of uni spend with making notes and when exam periods cane i realised i remember nothing and have to rely on guess from seniors...Already am working on improving study methods for 2nd year

[@neezamdaud4029]

Hi Doc, you definitely deserve more subscriber. I am definitely subscribing. This seems like an awesome wake up call for a "staying at benchmark" student like me . I am getting my predicted grades soon and I am getting super nervous. Wish me luck

[@DoctorShaene]

BEST OF LUCK U GOT THIS!!

[@neezamdaud4029]

@@DoctorShaene got triple Ds for predicted🥴

[@fattigedjvel618]

@@neezamdaud4029 BAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@omairshahab8137]

active presence - zone into lecture when relevant (e.g. something you didn't get in pre-reading) part comes active retrieval - look at topic (sub)heading and try to think of as many points in that topic without reading. Then go read the topic, if you missed out a few points, repeat the process of looking away space repetition - after a week

[@almog1910]

do you have tips for more mathmetic topics? and great video!! super useful😃😃

[@akramjaafar3084]

back when i was in high school i used to think something was wrong with me because i didn't get results even though i worked hard, but one day i told my dad randomly and he was like, it's probaby just the methods not you, turns out i was making hella mistakes in my approach to studying, the first semester i tried correcting my approach i got the best grade i have ever gotten in a semester. This applies to everything in life, your lack of results are probably not because of your capabilities, but due to you making mistakes.

[@Papa_n_Charlie]

Thank you so much , you're for real just like me

[@focusssss994]

How would you approach textbooks with the active retrieval method i.e:Anatomy and Histology? Personally I find this method to be really effective in terms of consolidating the informations but it only works with lecture handouts because the informations are much less compared to the textbook.

[@hannahlucxk750]

How would you recommend incorporating wider reading into this method for subjects that have it? I’d like to adopt your method for lectures but I’m not sure what to do for reading - would I still make notes for that?

[@lomebarghathi3062]

I'm surprised that u didn't talk about flashcards They're so time consuming imo and overwhelming, that's probably because I'm doing them wrong but I regret the time I spent on them.. Nice video it helped me finding my mistake I usually start memorizing via mnemonics before I understand the concept very well, I just realized lately that there's huge differences between knowing and understanding Ps: I love ur accent!

[@darshan7771]

What’s the best way to go about understanding stuff

[@ancythomas6834]

Very helpful

[@mariemnassef7789]

رااااائع... انت نورت لي دماغي really thank you, that was very useful 🤗❤❤😍😍

[@yusufyusuf9903]

extremely useful

[@DoctorShaene]

Glad it was useful!

[@moonchild2113]

*this is really good, I'm gonna try it for my exam in January 2021:)) i will update yall, I wish you all the very best !*

[@DoctorShaene]

Best of luck!

[@UchechukwuBalogun]

Good luck!

[@wiktoria5863]

I have my first University exam next Monday too! Very best of luck to you!!

[@studymaterial1149]

But what to do if one has already lagged behind quite a lot and still has a ton of the lecture notes as screenshots? Like I have my lecture notes as screenshots and I’m yet to complete the lectures I missed at the first few classes if the semester and in a process of noting down all of it, I realized I actually don’t know and remember much of the topics and am yet to go through those chapters in the book. Solving practice problems are a far away thought at this point. What to do?

[@bilalsiddique-ke4in]

Hi there I really liked your story making idea and I made a couple for the nerve trajectories in anatomy (helped a lot) but it is really tedious. Would you mind sharing your created stories.

[@Elimentz]

Hey Doctor Shaene awesome vid! How do you take notes during the lecture? I at times find myself get distracted while writing notes while the lecturer is speaking and thus miss the point they were saying..

[@knw-seeker6836]

Thanks a lot

[@JohnWick-rw6gz]

for a level choices do oxbridge give preference to students w 4 a levels over 3 ?

[@ganeshmistry4458]

An absolute gem of a video I'm in year 10 atm and I was wondering how you manage to find enough practice questions for your subjects.? Also how did you teach yourself the exam technique (mainly for science)?

[@DoctorShaene]

Thanks! 🙌 So at uni, there’ll often be a uni website that lets you access past exams questions for every subject. For GCSE or A-level, the exam board will have past exam papers on their websites so just download them and do is what I’d recommend!

[@DoctorShaene]

In terms of teach technique, look at mark schemes and you’ll realise they often repeat same questions and always follow same structure or points!

[@riana8588]

Thank you so much fór the video. May main problem is space repetition....I feel like the new everyday content takes up too much time that going back to th old work feels like I am gonna lose time for the new work.

[@DoctorShaene]

Honestly this was my problem too. I found that post-reading on the day of the lecture. And then the weekend review (where I didn’t have any new lectures to pre-read for). Both were very manageable whilst learning new material in between. And then I’d revise everything using spaced repetition during the holidays where no new material is being learnt. Hope that makes sense 😊

[@riana8588]

Doctor Shaene yeah, totally understand. Thank you so much.

[@pr44m6i6]

hey,love your videos im in year 12 going to year 13 can I still use these techniques for a-levels as well?

[@sajjadkhan8406]

You just nailed it! I love your each & every video. But what you suggest to a person weak in english. Tips to improve english. That we be able to write in exam, let’s say in essay especially. I really need your favor for my exam. 🙏🏻

[@faithlesshound5621]

For those of an obsessional bent, rule no. 1 is STOP TAKING NOTES WHEN YOU READ. That means you, Hermione Granger! Of course, that works best when your lecturer provides detailed notes in advance, which might be too much like work for him. It also assumes that you go to the lecture in the first place, and that the course of lectures covers the whole syllabus and not just the highlights or the teaching staffs' research interests. With any luck the lecturer covers all the basics, so you know what you HAVE TO understand/remember.

[@willloosley3214]

There was no way Shaene would have failed... he already had the doctor handwriting

[@iamTochi]

Thank you

[@elisac1264]

Hello, I want to tell you that I am going to try these methods. Just for you to know my current situation: I am a 1st year double degree in law & economics. I got 3.2 GPA without working so much because I felt so drown in every class… During my high school I used to learn by heart and was a 4.0 GPA. But this was high school. At university, during my 1st semester, I was so depressed by the quantity of information and just ended up by only revising 2 weeks before… It was so stressful. Now I feel like I can do better, but I just don’t know how because it’s really impossible to learn everything by heart. Today we are the 03/03/2022. Tomorrow will be my first day of try. I have 1 month left before finals (didn’t start to revise yet). Please remind me on June to tell you my results and experience !!

[@Mantha1203]

would love to know how u did now:))

[@RD-trixiedixie]

Yes - it’s July - how did you do?

[@riot__grrrrl]

How did you do????

[@fawn3893]

how’d it go?

[@sophiehibbs3293]

I am going into second year at Nottingham uni and was just wondering how to get lecture material before i go to the lecture , due to Covid we haven't had any paper copies nor word documents with summarizing paragraphs , thank-you

[@AK-vj6ld]

does chunking and active retrieval work for mathematics degree?

[@jackielh75]

Thanks Shaene, this is really helpful. I'm going to try and put your suggestions into practice for my Physio degree. The only problem I've got at the moment is our lecturers don't always upload the lecture prior to it being delivered on Zoom. I have dyslexia so having information in advance is even more important to be some I can process better.

[@DoctorShaene]

Ahh that’s not great from the lecturers! Is there anyway you could email them in advance to explain and ask for a copy in advance?

[@zamzamali7997]

Im in a similiar position Im in my first year I've tried notes and I'm currently trying flash cards but i have so much lecture material to go through since october and i have full days of lectures and new material. Kinda makes me worried that ill flop my end of year exams

[@KateLiuLaoshi]

this is so great, but after rapid memorisation - mne sth, cant really get it

[@seanharrison7009]

Yeah man big up. I need to help myself too.

[@DoctorShaene]

You got this 🙌

[@serenanaidoo4729]

Do you recommend taking notes during the lectures?

[@betrinab8992]

How about quizlet is that useful as well?

[@ankitharobinpoothavelil6516]

I’ve no idea why your views and subs are not as particularly high. Your content is solid, presentation very much on-point and editing really cool... There’s gonna come when your channel is gonna blow up. Good luck Shaene

[@DoctorShaene]

I appreciate that!

[@STEEL_VI]

How do you do all the passes with multiple class ?