It's Not About Memorization - How to Study History

How to learn about history effectively? How could one gain a holistic view of historical studies? Is memorization necessary for great historical studies?

[@_veselin_5048]

overview: 1. read the entire story 2. make a timeline 3. memorize the most important things 4. repeat 1,2 and 3 until you know it.

[@trollenwaffen2055]

This still means you have to memorize everything, because apparently according to the teachers "this has only the most important things"

[@pasangoonewardene4308]

@@trollenwaffen2055 I think it would be easier if you act on the points above and analyse past papers... then you can get a clear understanding of re occurring questions and can study them first then you can move on to some of the other common facts or details that'll explain a certain incident regarding the the points from the re occurring questions that you collected. They cant compress a whole books worth of knowledge into a paper, so I think following the above 3 points and testing yourself occasionally will work . Hope this helps

[@user-cq7fo9gk9j]

@@trollenwaffen2055 for every subject ur not supposed to just memorize stuff, u have to understand what ur learning abt and take notes of important stuff which u will be memorizing after u understand everything

[@krystallee6631]

thanks i was too lazy to watch the whole video lol

[@Dirtydreamer2023]

@@trollenwaffen2055 Exactly, at the end of the day, everything starts with memorizing something, because if you don't have the information available in your memory, nothing can't be done. So it's about understanding and memorizing the flow of the information: organise information in your head, visualize it in terms of timeline, cause-efect, etc.

[@StevieTheGenie]

This video is fundamental. I'm a history phd student and this video is the back bone of physically studying history.

[@kiky.mp4]

how is your study going (dont know why, but im genuinely curious)

[@jaslavie]

What websites do you recommend to study off of?

[@shaneplante6963]

This video is incredibly informative but now I'll definitely make sure not to put the car in front of the horse so to speak

[@NoName-xc6cg]

Hi, what is researching history like? (We find you interesting as you can see from previous comments hahaha)

[@lindseymayo2822]

@@shaneplante6963 cars needs horses?

[@ceyhunyavuz3247]

It's helpful for students like me that do not know how to be more successful at history exams. Thanks a lot.

[@kamatv1716]

Bende sınavlarda yüksek yazamıyorum Tarih'i 😔

[@easternadventures9978]

@@groot6409 no one cares

[@studycorner9307]

For me, how I got very good at history is I look up videos on the topic, I get engaged like this guy said in the video, and I take few notes. For me, watching video that summarizes the topic up helps me a lot. I used to look at Hamilton(the musical) and it helped me so much in history class because I was engaged and I looked at it from a different perspective. Instead of looking at it like it’s School Work, I looked at it like it’s a movie or something interesting. It helps me memorize much more better! Thanks to this guy, I’m in AP classes, thank you!

[@bulbulayhub3307]

Thanks for helping me ee!!

[@kinleyharris6076]

Yes I am in AP US history rn and what really helps me to gain an understanding of topics, is thinking of it like an interesting story, as opposed to boring facts.

[@markrutte5637]

watching this for my class. never understood how tf to get into history. fuck the education system

[@tombolo4120]

I always hated History class. Finally after about 40 years I figured out why. The reason: because there were too many contradictions (lies); I was experiencing cognitive dissonance.

[@kylenorman9971]

@@tombolo4120 nigga what

[@tombolo4120]

@@kylenorman9971 ??

[@idcanymore8791]

@@kylenorman9971 -_-

[@jaslavie]

@@tombolo4120 may I ask what websites you recommend to study history off of? I’m not sure which ones are facts or which ones leave out particular details to boast their own image of history.

[@inquisitive2098]

It would have been great if someone had explained this to me when I was in school. I've avoided reading history coz I get overwhelmed by every detail thank you so much! This will be helpful when I read history from now on! Insha Allah.

[@markrutte5637]

>I've avoided reading history coz I get overwhelmed by every detail for real

[@misanthropyunhinged]

mad sad that you need common sense explained to you

[@TheAnarchist99]

@@misanthropyunhinged That depends a lot on your background. Some of us were brainwashed into thinking that memorization is the single handedly what carries you through high school and succedd as a result. I come from a third world country in which virtually no one can speak or read in English and if I were to ask my former classmates about school academics ,they will tell me that all they did was to regurgitate facts into a piece of paper (be it , science or social studies) and then proceed to forget it all soon afterwards , and some of them couldn't care less about it and just made the very bare minimum to make it through highschool and nowadays they can hardly remember anything at all they were taught in high school. Others with a more enriching high school experience and drive to learn , will have a very different perspective. This is especially true for people in developed nations. Try to speak to random people on the street about history , math , or science in general and you'll notice how little the average person knows about anything.

[@TheAnarchist99]

@@misanthropyunhinged in a nutshell the average person doesn't know how to approach studying at all. That's my point lol

[@RobenArjen]

History is very important to know and should treated in same importance as studying English, maths and science. I’m fascinated by ready History that at hindsight why didn’t chose History as my main pursuit of career. May Allah SAW grant me motivation and determination to study history as a hobby so I can talk about History to non Muslims who always have this negative perception of Islam

[@moshefabrikant1]

6:00 Ask yourself question why you do what you do. And move forward to make it so the story is interesting 9:00 Understand the basic field 9:20 Learn the backbone of time like a to b don't worry about details then read it again Understand the fundamentals of the subject you learn

[@aroomforepsilon8567]

One way I view learning is that there are different levels, and learners do different things at different levels. I would say that memorizing facts is a level 0 activity, associating the facts together is a level 1 activity, creating hypothesis is a level 2 activity, and defending that hypothesis is a level 3 activity. I'm sorry if my argument is poorly explained; I'm actually very new to studying history and I came here for some ideas on how to go about that. Thanks for the insight.

[@kyrlics6515]

Hi daddy. Search on google blooms taxonomy, what you're saying is somewhat similar.

[@frafraplanner9277]

These levels are called the trivium in classical education. There's the first stage, grammar (which is memorizing facts in any and all subjects; grammar means so much more than how to construct a sentence correctly). The second stage is logic, which is relating facts, and the third stage is rhetoric, which is communicating your insights.

[@farbodrad3084]

Bravo! Bravo! I signed in to say thank you. The video is rather “comprehensive” than short (as you repeat the word), but I was enjoying how authentic and from-the-heart you spoke! 3 am here and 12-mins of time well spent :-)

[@yy-mi3bg]

thanks so much for this video! i've always loved history but a heavy workload and intense academic year had made me start seeing it as something that i had to conquer in three to five focusing questions rather than letting myself be immersed in the greater connecting narratives of the world and people that had drawn me to the subject in the first place. really glad that i found this video and remembered that

[@NazAmari_]

I definitely needed to hear this advice. Learning history can be overwhelming because there is so much information but this is the best approach.

[@linroberts3902]

I am studying for Texes 7-12 social studies exam. R.C. you definitely saved me time. I'm open to any one of you professionals in history to help me study so I can past this test and get a job.

[@Mila_meow735]

I’m going to start homeschooling my first grader and I’m so glad I came across your video. Thanks!

[@salinamu]

This video is gold. Your words make viewers sense your passion and complete understanding of history as a subject. In other words, it's like you "have it figured out", as some say. I applaud you for explaining your path in a logical and inspiring way so that others may improve their relationship with a subject you value so much. Well done, and thank you!

[@cherryjuice9705]

I love to study history because of history teachers themselves. My history teacher in freshman year had a strange way of showing us the events. For explaining war, he made group of students represent certain countries and ask us how we feel when we get attacked and what we want to do.

[@princetundee]

Dude, you’re so brilliant and so good at communicating💯💯💯

[@porcupine3887]

This video helped me a lot!! Last year I struggled a lot with AP World because of the large amount of information we had to unpack that year. I didn’t do well on the test, but now I can see why and apply that newfound information when I enter U.S. history this year! Thank you!

[@mattreichmann8118]

This video has a very simple premise -- Understand the relationships between historical figures and events, rather than the events and figures in an isolated form. Only when you understand the relationships between things or "subthings" within events, you should start thinking about the details. When understanding the relationships between events, you'll start noticing the facts come to you pretty easily. I do need to say, Robin, that I'm thoroughly enjoying your content. I stumbled upon your channel this evening and have wathced like 20 videos already. I'm a computer science/math/physics student currently doing two bachelor's degree, but my true passion lies in history and politics. I have a huge array of books just sitting at home, and I've been unmotivated to fully read any of them. Your videos have shown me the thing I was missing -- the reminder that reading can be done as a learning experience, and not just a reading experience. Taking notes and making summaries is something I attributed to reading papers and doing things for school, but for one reason or another, it never crossed my mind that I could sit at home reading a some book, and take notes at the same time, concluding what I learned and making connections between the ideas in the books I read, through careful notetaking. Lots of love, keep up the amazing work

[@sophiatello886]

Taking art history this semester for my BFA in photography. Thank you so much, you’re a life saver.

[@gardenofmary9220]

Thank you for this video!! I’ve struggled a LOT with the things you’ve talked about, even as a second year history major. This gives me a new paradigm when it comes to approaching my work. :)

[@TheAnarchist99]

This video comes in handy now since I'm just starting my journey to learn about history. Because honestly I hardly know anything at all about it which makes me a bit ashamed since I'm oblivious of so many things that have happened throughout history. Great video

[@squidbread9880]

You are a life savor. I went from a 4.0 to a 6.6 in less than a year! It’s still hard, but it’s easier than before. Thank you :)

[@predatxr.6928]

Good job friendd

[@kylenorman9971]

Bruh what you scared about with a 4.0 I got a 3.1

[@Aysha_A]

I’m still struggling 🥺 I want to be your friend?!?

[@chickennuggets1837]

@@Aysha_A 🥺🥺🥺

[@keeptaiwanfree]

you went from straight A's to above and beyond. wowie. impressive

[@damfhokage4993]

Thanks for this video, I was one of those students who would memorize history to the T and even though I'd get 10/10 (sometimes 9/10) scores on my exams, the burnout and exhaustion I'd feel while studying bulks and bulks of information was not worth it which gradually made me think of history as a dull subject. I'll be applying this method from now on, thank you! Unrelated but I'm in love with you and your channel 😅

[@aldairsantos3221]

Wow dude! Thank you! The idea of “building a backbone” makes sense and seems effective! I can’t wait to put it to use! Again, thank you!

[@nurulhasan3953]

To be true, this such content I've been looking for. I'm chemistry student, but recently I'm really into history. It deepens my understanding of literally everything in the course of chemistry. In addition, I can't be more proud of today that I knew what I wanted, being life long learner (at heart). History just awesome. Terima kasih atas video Anda. Lanjutkan!

[@flying_afcat]

Thank You Man Before watching this video I was very tensed about all historical facts such as dates, places, names and what not. But after watching your video I've got clear cut idea or I can say "path" to study history. I'm gonna study Ancient, Medieval and Modern History. Great. Thank You.

[@meherinahmedroza4288]

Watching this video after 4 years of its publication. Good overall find from me. Great to know there are people ACTUALLY thinking like me. ❤

[@Alonemyname]

I've always been a history lover but only this year I want to really get into it, thank you so much

[@snakers7882]

One of the best video about learning history, thank you.

[@NotJamie]

I noticed this last school year when I took US History! It was the first history class I ever took, so at first I kept trying to memorize everything and it was super overwhelming and not very fulfilling. A few months into the year, I started really learning about different times in history, seeing how each event affected society and the world at large. Especially during second semester, I really started fully engaging in the class and always got the top score in the class for each test without studying for hours.

[@fvthvn]

yea its right, understanding every cause and effect of the events in history will give you context about how is this part of history is connected to each other.

[@daisymaypr2]

Wow...what a great video. I chose to watch this video to help my niece who has trouble with history...thank you so much for sharing. Love your speaking.

[@bokchoichicken7925]

great vid! been looking for something like your channel lately. one suggestion, can you make an intro vid wherein you tell us what you do, your course in college, etc. stuff like that to know you more

[@piecis5017]

My teacher sent me here, and now i have a understanding of what to do in history class, thanks

[@johnmassaquoi4333]

This video is incredibly informative and absolutely stunning; thanks a lot brother!

[@trappedinpodcast7182]

Glad I found this video start my journey into history I’ve collected so much now it’s up to me to make the necessary steps to bring it to the world.

[@reed6152]

Great explanation of one of the fundamental problems with education.

[@munisapulatova5490]

My guy, you literally confirmed my thoughts to be true, I've been telling this thing to all of my friends for years. Thank you for spreading this important notion of how to study, because most of the people don't bother to know if the way they learn is even the correct way. But another sad thing is that many teachers (in my school and many other institutions) teach in the wrong way themselves. They tell us we need to memorize this and that important guy and that event happening somewhere, and then they just have us repeat those pieces of information automatically and get our mark and go. This way, I remember having no clue what did I just retold in front of the blackboard, but I got my mark so that was the most important thing. I really changed the way I approach history since then. Now I definitely consider those books novels and try to read them the way I would normally do with books. So thank you for this helpful video! Appreciate it:)

[@vegetableturner9499]

Thank you! Finally someone put it to words...

[@everythingnothing2978]

yeah now I kinda understand how to understand history more. I think using critical thinking about the events really is a good way to study like how you said in the video instead of just memorizing while having blank thoughts about it.

[@07kstephen]

I searched 'how to learn about history' . Now, I'm pleased with the results.🎉 Great work bro 👏

[@nominchoisuren]

this guy is a genius, i'm very impressed and mesmerized by the way he talks.

[@thiagogregory1]

Outstanding video, thank you.

[@Jide-bq9yf]

Most useful “how to study history “ video ever . Give this kid a History Seat Now .

[@gohyuting8819]

Thank you!! It helped me a lot! I was wondering how to study history and was wanting to just memorise everything lol.

[@grinderfoot3371]

Good practical video, will help me with my History notes. Thanks. I enjoy history, so being able to do better in school and enjoy my history reading to a further extent will be great, Mr. Waldun.

[@Xinaaaaa0506]

I just graduated from The University of Texas at Austin and majored in history. I so appreciate the light you shined on the subject matter here. Too many people rule it off as boring when they never took the time to really understand...

[@leonn5148]

Thank you so much!! This video was very helpful to me who often sees history as a subject of memorising facts.

[@TommyLee-te9xd]

Great video, I found this very informative. I'll give it a go!

[@priyankaa5108]

This is so helpful, In Satisfied, thank you for your counsel

[@OmgAuntySuzanne16]

thank you from someone who ends up highlighting almost the whole paper!

[@aditidey5155]

Well I saw somewhere that a farmer learned watermelon farming through youtube videos. That was the moment I got the feeling that yes youtube can help you learn things which are important for life. I am a history student from India. Never liked this education system and always thought of changing it. Infact I have to the point where I have started disliking history. Because all my college teach is how to mug up. They literally say mug up so that you can be the first. Every subject exists for a purpose. And you taught the way to discover it rather than just mugging it up. Thanks a lot.

[@soumopatra6392]

I fully agree with you.... I am from India also which part of India are you from? Are you a history student ?

[@aditidey5155]

@@soumopatra6392 Yes I am from India and also a history student.

[@AnalyticalWanderer]

Just say that your memory is weak and you can't memorize.

[@mohamedkamara8225]

Thank you so much Robin

[@balgyzmammetyarova4902]

Thank you so much! Your video was very helpful!

[@vessiealdakou2292]

Thanks a lot for making such a video!! It gives me relief as a student.

[@vincentzevecke4578]

I love your metaphor about Frankenstein related to structure of history

[@qwarrio8886]

oh boy, ı just found you you re the channel ı was looking for. greeeat. love you ı think this is a revulotion for me . believe me it is. anyway keep going ı m gooing to suggest you to all my friends thank sa lot byeeeee

[@sadazell]

Thank you! My friend's are really interested in world history, it's sounded interesting and I'd love to join conversation. This helped me a lot, this should help me get into it. :)

[@FreeMeal4You]

you are amazing. thanks for the video

[@predatxr.6928]

Yo that's actually useful deep gratitude m8

[@TheMSRXD]

Thank you for this video, was fundamental for me

[@emiatorfavourofficial]

Nice video ❣️❣️.Much love

[@sokphirakourn615]

I've never watched your videos before, you're good.

[@user-gv5te8es2o]

This helped a lot I hate details like names or phrases but Instead, I remember years and matters easily but my teacher wants those details but you gave me a good tip I'm going to read a textbook like a novel before the teacher talks about it in a class genius ideaaaa🍃

[@anthonyrabadam1097]

Dude, thank you so much. You rock :)

[@abedakil2944]

i learned alot from this video, thank you very much for making this.

[@Warriordda]

Thank you for this video 🙏🏻❤️

[@nishiharach.]

A fool learns from mistakes, and a wise man learns from history. -Girls und Panzer, History Buffs Club.

[@mariusleroy8895]

Mistakes could only be in the past though. Therefore it makes mistakes history. Its all the same fool and wise... 🤯

[@robertpietraru1939]

Well that's just dump

[@darreideamos2309]

@? Well it's from Girls und Panzer. THat's a pretty shit anime

[@ash-rn7ld]

Thanks bro you really helped me a lot 👍🏼

[@mirmaryam2895]

Wow this is so helpful and sounds way professional

[@Kiki-zt8tq]

Amazing video!!!

[@rorbephobic]

thank you for videos!

[@kidstagram354]

Thanks man! It's very useful!! 🤜🤛🥳

[@nicholassalmon8054]

Thanks you for making my life easier!

[@omnaik8833]

Man you are awesome you think exactly the way i think

[@yohanesliong4818]

Thank you for the video.

[@karolinekjrgaard7394]

this was so helpful. Thank you

[@janellee2224]

as someone indignantly studying for her humanities final, this is a gem.

[@admirljubovic717]

great video!

[@melody0007]

I am an undergrad history student in college and I agree fully with this, all you said since the start is so so true and the reason I went in for the career. I always worried about memory, thinking everyone that was a historian had such a bright lucid memory that could remember EVERYTHING and I panicked badly. I recently found this video and it calmed me so much to know this and to learn how to study and do better. Sadly I don't understand why if history is so important cause indeed, it is the source of everything, the jobs opportunities are so low after you graduate, it should be more important and acknowledged just like STEM careers. Before anyone replies, STEM is so so needed too! not throwing that under a train, cause I went to a STEM centered high school ( we had a lot of hours weekly of all that's maths, science, biology, so on) and its needed to keep on evolving, and changing and well due to the actual crisis, get better too. This is literally the backbone of history truly and i couldn't agree more with you! MUCH LOVE!

[@minrinie]

[ BACKBONE ] 1: pick up the structure of history, before class (pre read) 2: take notes during class/after class. It would be easy as you already know what goes where and what is worth memorising

[@alcejaylos.4257]

I'm not exactly a historian but I completely agree with what you say!

[@zhyakoxalid6892]

Thank you for this video. As I am having quite a few history classes in University, I am always having the knee jerk reaction, to pick up the details and memorize them. I do know that this is wrong, I should not do it, but trying to build the skeleton of the prethemius as you said is very hard, it is not doable in a semester with 4 more classes, or another history class. Liberal arts education confuses me, they try to teach you a lot of things in 4 months, it sounds easy but it is not.

[@tinerojc5385]

Amaizing

[@Micofaceprinter]

Thank you.❤

[@itsmetalaa]

nah cuz i'm having a history test on sunday and this helps so muchh THANK YOU ♡

[@yadukrishnakb]

Thank you It was helpful

[@vonivan3559]

thanks for this, great guy!

[@AprilHunter-fg8ct]

Thank you! It was useful

[@shawnshell5961]

Excellent!

[@roisin9401]

i struggle hardcore with leaving all the little details alone. i feel like i need to know everything all at once and retain every piece of information forever as soon as i read it.

[@Bibi-do8tc]

Same! If you ever wanna chat about it I’m here to talk with like minded ‘perfectionists’ - always feel like as a historian I should be able to ramble on about a specific topic and include specific names and dates.

[@TheAnarchist99]

I'm on the same boat and it has to do with the subconscious approach that school that has ingrained in us. A bad habit to get rid of but it's easier said than done and I still struggle not to leave every single detail 😅

[@nicolebiancaperadilla6355]

My history teacher making me watch this and i love it

[@lawabidingcitizen2936]

From Philippines? 🇵🇭

[@nicolebiancaperadilla6355]

@@lawabidingcitizen2936 yass

[@jazzn6904]

just a stoner interested in history and i like the approach, are there any books you would recommend to build that "backbone"?

[@jahnizabella3989]

Well, that was helpful! :D Thanks!

[@Emma-ly7cb]

Thank you this helped me!

[@frenzeegabule7665]

Lol, i'm taking an art course and i want my works based on historical events but i just realized i definitely slept throughout my elementary & highschool classes in history. 😬 thank god i'll be able to study everything effectively

[@lostcloud6615]

thanks waldun i needed this vid

[@Xiatle]

Great video, but what books would you recommend to start with and read like a novel?

[@JDG602]

People do seem to get memorization and understanding confused. If you can memorize something all your doing is robotically repeating something back to someone. If you cannot explain the event, idea, or concept in your own words and explain who, what, where, when, and why then your memorization means nothing. You are nothing but an audio recording. Great video this youngin is more intelligent than most adults you come across these days.

[@ReeBoi17]

I know this video is old, but yes. That makes a ton of sense as to how to fully understand a time period. General idea and main story first, then the extra bits to easily digest and put them where they need to go. I've been studying Ancient Mesopotamia for 2 weeks now. Only 2 weeks. I found myself wanting to learn World History with a little more elaboration. Not skipping over the battles that were fought, the lands that were lost. I decided to pick a point, and branch out from there. I started with the Akkadian Empire. Not fully understanding what made them Akkadian, not understanding the whole who was who, and what was what. All I knew was that there was a guy named Sargon that ruled over the Akkadian Empire. I thought "Well, I better learn about this guy." So I stopped reading that book, and read a book solely based on Sargon. It built the pieces up- But I couldn't quite get what it was leading up to. He had two sons that later rose to power, learnt about them, learnt about the previous rulers that he had conquered. Had to do some backtracking. I found myself tired out, and not fully understanding it. So I decided to go back to the first book, and read the whole picture. Sargon ruled, got land, his son took over, was assassinated, his older son took over, was assassinated as well, Sargon's grandson rose to power, was egotistical, got the blame for the decline of the empire by "Upsetting the gods" His supposed Son took over from there, Gutians from the Zagros Mountains and raided the place after many failed attempts. That, partnered with rebellions, and climate change causing the Euphrates River to dry up/move further away caused the actual disappearance of the Empire. Fascinatingly, knowing that linear progression- I was able to be like "Ah. So I know how this goes. I wonder how this guy will react to the outcome that I already know." makes it a tad bit LESS exciting, but still exciting. History to me is like a never ending story, and to get the big details and main idea down and understood first- Actually does surprisingly help. I am able to branch off of that, and next I will be able to learn about the Third Dynasty of Ur with Ur-Nammu. : ) Thank you for this video.