FINALS? #1 tip to study SMARTER, not harder

Hey everybody, what’s up? This is Seth from SethPerler.com.

This video is for middle school, high school, and college students.

I’m an executive function coach based in Santa Monica, California. We’ve been dealing with wildfires here in California over the last few days, so please send good thoughts and positive vibes to everyone affected. A lot of people are really struggling right now.

Fortunately, where I am, we’re mostly dealing with smoke, although it has definitely affected my voice, so please excuse that.

Anyway, I’m glad you’re here. Today, I want to talk to you about my number one study tip.

My #1 Study Tip

This is a study tip that I give to college students all the time, but I also recommend it frequently to middle school and high school students.

In my opinion, it is one of the best ways to study.

Research shows that the best way to learn something is actually to teach it.

Before I explain that, let me tell you the worst way to learn something: listening to a lecture. Unfortunately, that’s often how schools teach. Another common but ineffective study method is reading your notes over and over again. It’s boring, and it doesn’t do much to help you retain information.

Right now, it’s December, and final exams are coming up. A lot of students are preparing for finals by repeatedly rereading their notes, but there are much better ways to study.

My number one study tip is:

Study Groups

Before you click away from this video, let me address something.

I know a lot of you are already coming up with excuses:

• “My friends won’t want to do that.”

• “I don’t have any friends in that class.”

• “My friends aren’t good at studying.”

• “Nobody wants to meet up.”

• “It’s awkward.”

Whatever the excuse is, get past it.

You’re here for your future. You’re here to learn, develop skills, and create opportunities for yourself. School isn’t just about getting grades, pleasing your parents, or getting into a good college. It’s about building the knowledge and skills you’ll need later in life.

That said, grades are a real thing, and exams matter. So let’s talk about how to study effectively.

Why Study Groups Work

When you study with other people, you’re using three major learning styles at the same time:

1. Visual learning – seeing information.

2. Auditory learning – hearing information.

3. Kinesthetic learning – learning through movement and action.

The more you combine these learning methods, the better you’ll retain information.

For example, imagine you’re learning guitar.

You can’t just read a book about guitar and suddenly know how to play. You need to:

• Watch demonstrations (visual).

• Listen to music and instruction (auditory).

• Physically practice playing (kinesthetic).

The same principle applies to studying.

Teaching Is Learning

In a study group, you’re constantly teaching and explaining concepts to other people.

And remember:

Teaching is one of the most effective ways to learn.

When you explain material to a friend:

• You clarify your own understanding.

• You discover gaps in your knowledge.

• You reinforce concepts in your memory.

Meanwhile, your friends are teaching you things as well.

You’re all helping each other sort through the material, ask questions, and deepen your understanding.

Study Groups Are More Engaging

Another huge advantage is that study groups are simply more enjoyable.

Instead of sitting alone and rereading notes:

• You can talk through ideas.

• You can quiz each other.

• You can joke around.

• You can take breaks.

• You can bring food.

• You can make studying social and engaging.

Studying doesn’t have to be miserable.

How to Set Up a Study Group

Get out of your comfort zone.

Call, text, or email a few classmates and organize a study session.

And don’t make it short.

A 30-minute study session isn’t enough.

Even one hour isn’t much.

Instead, set aside:

• 3 hours

• 4 hours

• Or even 5 hours

Bring snacks, take your time, and really dive into the material.

Quiz each other.

Teach each other.

Help each other succeed.

Final Thoughts

This is my number one study tip because it works.

I encourage my college students to do it all the time. Middle school and high school students are usually more resistant at first, but once they try it, they often tell me:

“Wow, that was so much easier.”

“I learned more.”

“I did way better on my test.”

And that’s the point.

I want you to spend less effort on ineffective study methods and more effort on strategies that give you better resultswhile also being more enjoyable.

So don’t resist it.

Reach out to a few people today and get a study group started.

Good luck on your finals!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below or send me an email.

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Have a great day!