Week Four - How to Learn an MIT Class in 5 Days

[guitar5454]

you're very inspiring

[hellboydvd25]

Awesome job scott. I myself am a student of computer science (4 yr program :)) and a believer in self education. Your videos inspire others to get things done by themselves and self belief rather than relying on external help. Cheers!

[SlowY00]

Hello Scott!

I want to ask some questions:

1. Do you use the Feynman technique AFTER every lecture or when you are done with all the lectures.

2. I read somewhere in you blog(regarding the MIT challange) that you plan every hour what lecture and problemsets you will do. But I thought you were using the Daily to do list?

3. Do you make a list of every concept and then make a checkmark on every concept you understand?

Sorry for my bad english. :)

Best regards

[ScottHYoungVid]

@SlowY00 - 1) Typically after I'm done all the lectures, although I will do it after a lecture if I know I'm going to have trouble with that topic pre-practice problems. (2) No, I still use a task-based system (although sometimes I deviate from the exact daily goals strategy since my daily list may change in response to feedback), what I meant in that statement was that I try to be efficient with every hour. (3) I have been doing that, yes. Especially to ensure good coverage with the problems

[jonathanjmas]

Hi Scott, I only recently started implementing your tactics on holistic learning. Cal Newport's main method is his Question Evidence Conclusion(QEC) format to note taking, However I am so hooked on flowbased notetaking, and i know that notes are just an mid step to understanding. My question is, can i use a combination of flowbased notetaking and Q.E.C? I know i can, i just want to hear it from someone. Maybe at the end of my notes i can jot down critical questions that cover the major ideas....

[ScottHYoungVid]

@jonathanjmas - I was under the impression QEC is mostly for reviewing, and then, mostly for non-technical classes which revolve around big ideas. But, yes, I think the two styles could be merged.

[mbbrennan]

What's the point of this whole MIT challenge? Is he going to get a degree at the end? Seems sort of pointless to me He must have a lot of free time on his hands.

[ScottHYoungVid]

@mbbrennan - It's to learn. I can't think of anything more basic than that to offer as motivation.

[supfreerun]

that's simply amazing

[dreamwishlove16]

Do you think this applies to courses that aren't math or science based? Like history maybe? If so, how would you adopt this strategy?

[ScottHYoungVid]

@dreamwishlove16 - I think it does, although it would certainly change in the specifics. Factual based classes need a slightly different approach, although I think most people are too quick to memorize subjects like history when what professors really want is insightful essays that connect themes and concepts.

[ImagineTheWorld100]

Hi Scott, I wish you good luck with your challenge and thank you very much for posting :-) You are a great inspiration for me.

[1zafir9]

you my friend are a frikin gangster. This is amazing and inspirational

[chibirobo009]

thanks this was really helpful

[andrewyaoauatauabaea]

Can you actually understand whats going on when it is 2x the speed?

[TheMITChallenge]

@andrewyaoauatauabaea - Depends on the speaker. Most people speak much more slowly than you can actually comprehend (it's a restriction of speech) so you can usually go to at least 1.5x speed without even noticing the jump. The only time it's tricky is when there is algebra or written descriptions, which I sometimes need to slow down.

[andrewyaoauatauabaea]

@TheMITChallenge

How many hours have you completed so far?

[ImagineTheWorld100]

@andrewyaoauatauabaea 0:11 He says it is his fourth class ;-)

[jonathanjmas]

@TheMITChallenge Hi Scott, I only recently started implementing your tactics on holistic learning. Cal Newport's main method is his Question Evidence Conclusion(QEC) format to note taking, However I am so hooked on flowbased notetaking, and i know that notes are just an mid step to understanding. My Q:Can i use a combination of flowbased notetaking and QEC? I know i can, i just want to hear it from someone. Maybe at the end of my notes i can jot down critical questions that cover the major ideas