My Biggest Studying Mistake - The Feynman Technique

The Feynman (pronounced "Fine-man") technique has changed my life. Reviewing all the study methods I've ever used, this technique easily secures a place as one of my top five study methods. The basics of the technique are that you try to explain a complicated topic in simplified terms, allowing you to better understand the complex topic. Pretty simple right? I thought so. The only problem is that my grades went down when I first started using it, and my time spent studying went up; what was I doing wrong?

Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:44 The Feynman Technique
2:58 Understand
4:03 Long-Term Retention
6:02 Notes
6:50 Topics
8:57 Avoid Complexity
11:01 Use It
12:49 Simplify
13:45 Nebula Classes
15:46 Outro

Work Cited:
2. Dunlosky J, Rawson KA, Marsh EJ, Nathan MJ, Willingham DT. Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: Promising Directions From Cognitive and Educational Psychology. Psychol Sci Public Interest. 2013;14(1):4‐58. doi:10.1177/1529100612453266
3. Gregory A, Walker I, Mclaughlin K, Peets AD. Both preparing to teach and teaching positively impact learning outcomes for peer teachers. Med Teach 2011 Aug;33(8):e417-e422.
Editor: Martino Gasparrini
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Who am I:

[ZachHighley]

Thankful I don’t have to study mitosis again

[EricTrang]

I find that my biggest studying mistake is taking too much time to watch videos about studying techniques.

[jbzkpvc]

Personally, I find that regardless of the studying technique I use, the one thing I need the most for the fastest and most efficient studying is... just a simple curiosity, the want to know it, the want to do it, the want to learn, when I have curiosity for what I'm learning, I pretty much remember it for lifetime and learn it incredibly fast

[heavensdevil]

Notes:

1. Fully understand the complex topic first: Don't begin the learning process by explaining it before you actually understand it. Retention methods such as Feynman technique, active-recall and spaced repetition are for solidifying information that you already understand. Trying to solidify an information before you understand it might end up encoding wrong interpretation of a topic.

2. Consolidate the information concisely onto a flashcard/some other place for long term retention: Once we really understand a topic to be able to explain the core principles without having to use jargon, we should hold onto that understanding. Unfortunately, a large portion of that information that we just gathered is lost within first 48 hours after learning. So note it down somewhere before you lose it. Optimize for spaced-repetition for next sessions.

3. Don't write notes on notes: Life is short.

4. Choose your topics carefully: Not everything that you study suits this technique. Usually abstract complex ideas are best understood by Feynman technique but ideas that are evidence-based/observational might not really be suited for this.

5. Actually put the time and effort: Once you have selected the correct set of topics, make sure you actually spend the time and effort to go through the entirety of the techniques. Feynman technique is great for having a basic framework of the topic inside your head with the details chopped off. It's important to get a very clear picture of the basics in your head right - the details can be filled in later.

6. Avoid jargon and complexity. The simpler the explanation, the more likely you are to remember it.

7. Use it for real: perfectly suitable for weekly sessions.

8. Simplify your explanation so that YOU understand it. As long as the explanation is not simple enough for YOU to understand, spend more hours to break it down to basic, bare-bone, core ideas.

[lexica]

My mother (a university professor) used to say that the best test of whether someone understood something is whether they were able to explain it to somebody else.

[ffs]

Principles and time codes:
2:33 - The basics
1) Identify the problem.
2) Imagine how you would explain it to a twelve-year old.
3) Look at your explanation then. Did you use too many complicated words or concepts? Can you make sound even simpler without leaving out the main things? If yes to both, redo it.

2:58 - The specifics
1) You must actually understand the problem before using the Fine-man Technique (FT). It is best suited to help you deepen you understanding, not to make your very first steps into the unknown.

2) Having successfully used the Fysics-man Technique on a complex problem such as mitosis, don't just drop it and run to the next problem. Solidify your understanding and long-term retention by applying other techniques, for example, write it on a flashcard first.

3) Writing notes on your notes on your notes and so on doesn't work. Rather than simply summarizing the contents of the notes, it's better to spend your time on a more advanced learning technique such as active recall.

4) Don't use the Funny-man Technique for every singe piece of information. It's inefficent and more than that, not all information is fit to use it on. It is best suited for large and general enough pieces of information. For other stuff, like histopathology, where you should study large amounts of pictures, it doesn't conform very well.


5) If you're using the Filanderer-man Technique, then do it properly. Invest the time and resources to achieve full effect. Cutting corners will help no one and especially not you.

6) Leave out jargon and complex words from your explanation. Use words as general as you can without butchering the original idea behind.

7) If you finally have your wonderful simplified explanation, then don't stop at your cactus, go out and tell it to other people. You will concentrate on different points while talking to different people, and emotional effect from it will ensure a better quality of retention.

8) Simplify and be on alert for any breaks in your explanation. As soon as you feel that your explanations loses coherence, go back and find the point you're not sure in, work on it and try again. Ideally, you'll want your explanation to be steady and consistent without stuttering from trying to remember what goes where.

[maartenbass]

my atoms don't jiggle jiggle, they BOUNCE. The less they wiggle wiggle, its COLD. - i'll let myself out thank you

[lex_]

bro who is seeing this instead of studying

[creativegrowthmindset]

One tip I've found helpful for improving my learning process is to actively engage with the material by creating my own summaries and asking questions about what I'm learning. Additionally, breaking up study sessions into shorter, focused chunks of time rather than marathon study sessions can help improve retention and comprehension. Finding different ways to engage with the material, such as through discussion with others or hands-on activities, can also help with understanding and retention.

[kevingonzalez-james]

I do this technique sometimes without even knowing. I explain concepts I learn in college or in books to my mom in Spanish. It forces me to understand something well and then explain it in a different language which I think adds a layer to it. I love doing this cause I have realized it helps me learn better and I will even be learning different angels of the subject while teaching it to my mom. I’ll come to realizations and make new connections while I’m explaining it.

[DrSuperSonic]

Stumbled upon your channel recently and must say this is amazing how you brought this topic to light. Most of us been taught a rudimentary way to study and consolidate so I appreciate you showing the world your trails and solutions. I just graduated from medical school and studying for step 2, I have went through my studies pretty much doing notes on notes, and yeah was inefficient looking back but I kept everything! All my notebooks and glancing through them it kinda insane I’ve written notes on notes on same topics at different times throughout my basic sciences and clinicals. Like rewriting the same tables and pathophys lol 😂 that just proves notes on notes don’t always work but just mind blowing how long it took me to realize. Now I’m just having to relearn how to learn again but hey better late than never! And if i can graduate and still have room for improvement everyone can! Never lose faith all the work you’ve done up until now is just the beginning of something even greater! 🎉 good luck everyone :) we got this

[reinarudouNe]

I like the idea how Zach studies and simplifies his lessons with the lamp, this really helps with that audience pressure once your in it for the explaining it to your other colleagues.... a way they'll understand it easily. no struggles and are straightforward information, I like that.

[KoiAcademy]

Sensational intro and loving this series man! The danger of spaced repetition next? 🤔

[khalilahd.]

This method has always helped me so much! It takes a lot of time but it’s so effective if used correctly. Love this video! ☺️

[iamtherapy]

Great video Zach! Keep up the good work. Haven't made it through the video yet, but I am really hopeful that your techniques help me revamp my study process!

[lenasteiner]

Feynman to understand, Active Recall to learn& practice, Spaced Repetition to keep the information :)

[daisy_margo]

Thank you so much! You have a perfect command of the technique because you explain everything very well. I feel like I've been studying all my life the wrong way - writing notes, underlining sentences, and I want to finally learn how to use effective methods. Thank you!

[porcupine]

Hi Zach! I love your videos and they inspired me so so much this summer. I’m a junior in high school now. Last year was tough and I didn’t feel smart or great enough to achieve the life I wanted. I always felt tired and my curiosity for learning new things began to deplete. Watching your videos made me smile, though, and for the first time in a long time I felt like trying new things again, and doing better not only to build a better life for my future but to nurture my happiness and appreciation for information as well. I would be happy to see your channel grow and when I make new friends at my school, I’ll definitely show these videos to them as well! Thank you!

[devu]

I just discovered your channel and watched some videos !! I’m already loving it! Thank you so much. I was kind of using Feynman technique the wrong way😅

[Archeia]

Thank you for this! Feynman's lectures were so fun to listen to and I can't believe I never heard of them before.