How to handle deep study in so little time? | IIT Prof's tips

While deep self-study and problem solving with introspection and self-analysis are important, there does not seem to be enough time for doing all this. This is a problem eternally facing many students.

In this video I provide some strategies and the attitude to take in order to handle this situation:

1. What does self-study really mean?
2. Acknowledge and accept that there will be some gifted students who can finish things faster than us.
3. Don't get discouraged by others pace. Stick to the discipline of studying in a fundamentally proper way. Initial chapters are going to be hard. Sacrifice is necessary. But things get better with time.
4. Our brains become better at this deep mode of study; our problem solving skills improve with time. The latter chapters are boosted by the background knowledge developed in the initial chapters.
5. Taking short cuts may apparently help us to catch up initially but leaves gaping loopholes in our preparation. Plus, how many short cuts can one remember? It is just easier - in the long run - to go by the route of developing one's fundamental knowledge - that type of knowledge itself becomes the short cut.
6. Never compare yourself with others. Focus on improving yourself little by little each week.

#10+2 #Self-study #jc

[lekhakkk]

Thank you so much sir, this video is answer to my comment which i have posted at your previous video. Again thanks because now i understand that to go through theory first then start doing problems, and problems where I'll stuck is the point which indicate me that which topic is weaker and to particularly that topic need to be strong.

[Rajdeep_]

“We should acknowledge and accelt the fact that not all students are built equal” hearing this from an IIt professor made my day

[anushreesolanki]

slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be.
your videos really help sir tqsm:)

[FantasticFanta]

This is the holy grail of advice. I wish i saw this in 11th... I was always a deep studting person and i did so in 11th as well. But as i realised that my teachers and peers were going astronomically faster than me i got scared and rushed by the portions as well. I should've trusted that the graph of my learning was not just increasing but so was its acceleration. From now onwards u will not lie to myself, i will deep study only and compare myself to myself only.

[nostalgia]

Deep study is needed but so is revision (basically repetition) otherwise you might understand something deeply but forget quickly due to the plethora of concepts and rules (mostly in chem). That is the benefit these early prep starters have. I didn't have enough revision time during my days due to which even though my understanding during study was good and deep and I scored awesome in class tests when the chapter was taught, (used to score close to 2 digit JEE-A rankers, sometimes even more) I had poor recall during the exams and it hit me horribly (got lower 4 digit finally).

Enough revision and practice will also help you remember some small things like familiar equations/solutions, problem patterns, etc., which might not be related to understanding but can speed up your problem solving. After all, you cannot derive everything from first principles in the exam hall and it is an MCQ exam so no points for doing stuff partially or for correct "approach". The faster you solve the problems, the more relaxed you are during the exam and the more accurately you solve. On the contrary, if you waste time or are slow in recalling stuff, you panic due to less time left and screw up other problems as well. It's a domino effect.

Also, please please take care of your health, especially if you already have existing issues. This aspect also affected my everyday routine heavily as well as my overall well being. Take care and all the best to all the aspirants!

[Arjun-bouq]

The emphasis on the point that "initially progress will be slow yet that's the right way to study is so key" ; and I see people looking for quick results give up midway! every point is so valid and relevant, generations change but fundamentals dont! Thank you professor. Very much indebted to you for all your wisdom. ( Parent of a JEE aspirant)

[Explorer-kyvm]

"The goal of scientific pursuit should be to understand the world around us fundamentally"

[Badmosh-uh]

Sir Please make a video on how to analyse where we are lacking in our studies and how to minimise the mistakes that we done while studying.

[AM_]

A crisp video with holistic coverage of most of the doubts we often face. Really unambiguous explanation.

[srinivaschillara]

Again excellent advice. To students reading this comment: Please pay attention to the points made by the good professor here, this sort of advice is very possibly not available elsewhere.
To everyone: 1. Please pardon my extention to the advice. Between 8:00 and 9:00 a point was made about the difficulty of remembering the many many shortcut methods. I'd say, grasp the topics and the principles (core ideas) by taking your time, this will later aid you in remembering the shortcuts, which are easily picked up once the basics are grasped. Without good grasp of basics a shortcut will not be 'connected' to the core ideas, but will seem like an unmoored method to remember increasing cognitive load, not an quick obvious extension to the the core.
2. There seems to be a concern ( I think it is in the mind) wherein many a student keeps comparing his/her progress to that of the peers; This is almost entirely futile, don't look over your shoulder, don't peer ahead, after all this isn't literally a sprint... it is more like a marathon. The good prof's point of starting solidly and then picking up pace later is so very true, especially in the context of competitive exams as many problems involve a mix of topics.

[ramlohit]

"as our intellectual ability improves, you'll do better and faster, deep background knowledge of previous chs helps the newer chs." learn it the deep way, the fundamental way which takes less toll on your brain to recall them, bcs they are derivable, far better than trying to remember 100-1000s of shortcuts and tricks for specific qs". Knowledge itself is the shortcut for you- saves time inreturn" improve and focus on you.

[.divyanshutripathi]

Thank you sir, I am in class 12, and i really needed this guidance. Thank you for all your guidance!!

[devotionalsongsbymanasa]

One of the best video I saw!! Iam too late to this method but from now I will start studying like this sir.It is very useful but I realised how much of time I have lost till now🤧

[adnanahmadknowledgevideo]

Sir in one of your previous video where you said that if you aren't able to solve the problem don't just immediately look at the solution. Spend some time thinking and try to solve. And to be honest it really helped me. For me some problems at start it seem very difficult . But when I spend 10-15minutes of thinking rereading the question and sometimes drawing diagram. Then I was able to solve the problem without any help from book or internet.

[yearsago]

Really wise words even as a former neet aspirant grasping how thing works is exponentially more difficult at the initial phase but the results are huge and evergiving (obv for phy and chem though) and coming to the shortcuts only go for them when you are thorough with the basics because you will always have a solid backup incase you forget

[KLuqman]

"The knowledge itself is the shortcut."

[Ranas-qmvn]

- 🧠 Deep self-study involves focusing on theory and problem-solving, not just theory repetition.
- 🔄 Revisiting theory and concepts after encountering flaws during problem-solving is crucial for deep understanding.
- 🕰 Time management is essential when engaging in deep self-study and problem-solving.
- 🚀 Recognize individual differences in intellectual abilities and do not feel discouraged by perceived delays in progress.
- 📚 Avoid shortcuts in studying and focus on building a strong foundational knowledge.
- 🌟 Consistent improvement in understanding and abilities over time is more important than rapid progress.
- 🔍 Quality over quantity: prioritize understanding concepts deeply rather than covering numerous topics superficially.
- 💪 Continuous self-improvement, disciplined study methods, and sacrifices lead to comprehensive academic preparation.

[ambassador_in_training]

Thank you for your love for so many students. Your advice is so simple & common sense, yet refreshing and insightful!

[Queer.]

Thanks a lot sir, I had been following ur tips frm the last one month and i was too facing the exact same problem . This video was really very helpful

[akashkr]

wish more people like you share their knowledge so that our community gets better and better ...thank you sir 🙏