You’re NOT stupid, Your Schedules Are. | The Anti-Study Plan Method 

I've also never used study plans. Sometimes when studying in the library with my friends and it got late, I told them I'm going home and ask when they are leaving - and their answer would always be "I still have x things on my to-do list". I just can't do that. I will always prioritize my sleep, and I absolutely can't study when I'm tired, hungry, or just drained from already studying all day.

The RU-vid trend of work/study efficiency and optimisation is so popular. I am a fan of work smarter not harder myself, however…you can have the most efficient study plan but FAIL🤦‍♀️ there is no way of cutting corners because one [aka student] still needs studying! Sleep and stu-dy! I chose routine over schedule for some reason. I hate being inflexible, therefore I go with a flow. But boy oh boy do I study when I am in the zone🥵 per aspera ad astra dear colleagues of academia!✨✨✨

in brief: The video discusses the drawbacks of traditional study plans and introduces an alternative approach to studying. 1. **Introduction**: - Faye shares her personal experience of not making a study plan since entering medical school. Despite initial academic setbacks, she passed all her exams and secured her top choice for her first job as a doctor. She suggests that making a study plan might be counterproductive. 2. **Reasons Against Traditional Study Plans**: - **The Worm vs. The Snail**: Traditional study plans are rigid like a snail's shell, whereas studying should be flexible like a worm. Different topics require varying amounts of time, and some topics might need revisiting. - **Color-coded Plans**: Faye used to spend a lot of time creating detailed, color-coded study plans but never stuck to them. This not only wasted her time but also added stress. - **Brussels Sprouts vs. Lindor Analogy**: This analogy emphasizes quality over quantity. Spending more hours studying doesn't necessarily yield better results. Focused, quality study sessions are more effective. 3. **The Anti-Study Plan Method**: - Instead of a long-term study plan, Faye starts her exam season by setting goals, identifying weaknesses from previous exams, and setting targets. - Every morning, she plans her day in half-hour slots, adjusting based on her performance the previous day and her current feelings. - She emphasizes the importance of "batching tasks" to improve efficiency and reduce the mental cost of switching between tasks. - Faye finds motivation in checking off tasks from her daily schedule, giving her a sense of accomplishment. 4. **Conclusion**: - Faye believes in giving oneself moments of joy and satisfaction during the study process. Constant pressure can lead to burnout, so it's essential to find ways to stay motivated and encouraged. This video provides an alternative perspective on studying, emphasizing flexibility, quality, and self-awareness over rigid planning.

Key Takeaways: - Set your goals at the start of the exam season. - Identify weaknesses and areas for improvement. - Establish rough targets for the number of questions or tasks you want to complete. - Instead of a rigid weekly plan, create a daily ritual for planning each day. - Consider factors like your performance, weaknesses, and energy levels when planning. - Schedule specific tasks for the morning and afternoon, and adjust based on how you feel and your productivity. - Emphasize quality over quantity in your study sessions. - Advocate for task batching to improve efficiency and reduce task-switching costs. - Keep your planning ritual short, taking about 5 minutes each morning, afternoon, and evening. - Enjoy little moments of satisfaction by checking off completed tasks with a red pen. - Be flexible and adapt your plan based on daily needs and goals. - Prioritize self-encouragement and small rewards to maintain motivation and prevent burnout. - Avoid the guilt and pressure associated with a rigid, color-coded study plan, and focus on a more flexible and adaptive daily approach.

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 01:10 🐌 *The video criticizes the rigidity of study plans, comparing them to a snail's slow and inflexible movement.* 02:31 🎯 *Study plans often neglect the variability in topic difficulty and the importance of focusing on high-yield subjects.* 03:29 😓 *The guilt associated with not adhering to a rigid schedule can be counterproductive, especially on days when one feels burnt out or unwell.* 04:08 🌈 *The video critiques the obsession with creating color-coded plans, emphasizing that the time spent on elaborate plans often exceeds the time spent on actual productive activities.* 05:43 🥦 *The video advocates for quality over quantity, discouraging the mindset of prioritizing thesheer volume of study hours.* 07:08 📅 *Instead of a detailed study plan, the speaker recommends setting goals, assessing weaknesses, and planning daily based on individual needs and feelings.* 09:55 🔄 *Daily planning rituals, lasting about 5 minutes, provide flexibility, incorporate weaknesses, and give a sense of accomplishment through small, achievable tasks.* 11:22 🌟 *The importance of incorporating moments of joy, encouragement, and rewards in the study routine to prevent burnout and enhance motivation.* Made with HARPA AI

Wow I love this… I literally would plan out everything, colour coat everything and felt this immense imposter syndrome in my med school for not completing it, and by exams I give up. This is what I needed. I was told if I accept that I would never completely be caught up with school work because we will always have something to learn, always something to read.. don’t feel guilty for having a life balance and it’s okay to have a break like meeting up with a friend or watching an episode of your favourite show - take care of yourself. ✨💅💖

This is EXACTLY the things I needed to hear right now. I've just started med and feeling swamped but cautious that I've gone back to my old mindset of having to want to get EVERYTHING done, and more. What you "used" to do is exactly what I'm doing now- so thank you for saying everything you did. You didn't do it in a "tough love", patronising way, and for that, I am so super thankful. I already feel bad enough for not getting everything done, and I cannot relate more to the emotions. I felt drained today after placement and just wanted to do nothing- instead I have literally procrastinated the last 6 hours. It feels scary as making these plans has been a comfort of mine, but I've never, ever stuck to them. I'm quite a spontaneous person and love doing things with the flow of life but I want to stay focused. Starting your more chilled technique now. I'd love to know how you did your flashcards? Anki is super confusing at the moment and you passed all of your exams so would be amazing to hear what you did xxx thank you for this video. Exactly what I've been needing-exactly!

I love this Faye! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and thoughts on the topic. I've been in university for 7 years now and I have often felt like a failure even when my marks are good. I have recently been realizing that I'm the one setting myself up to feel that way by making study goals that are unattainable and obviously not achieving them. Its wild how we can do that to ourselves. Because I was setting myself up to miss my goals everyday I never felt like I could relax because I always thought there was still work to do, so I would spend the entire day poorly doing so many things. It is truly miserable, and the highway to burnout. I am trying to find ways around this and this video is very encouraging, thanks!

I'm self studying computer science while still working a full time job and I keep finding these successful people who create colour-coded study plans that work for them and kept creating them for myself and then failing at following them. THIS IS EXACTLY THE VIDEO I NEEDED TO WATCH!!! Thanks so so so much for sharing your experience and expertise on the subject!!! Big hugs from Canada!!🤗

Faye, you are just like a warm hug I just needed. You just get a lot of people and you’re good at it. I hope I was more self-aware like you are. ❤❤❤

Thank you for this, Faye! I feel so seen and this is one scheduling video that I can relate to🖤

I love your videos 💕 I think I may have ADHD but not technically diagnosed. I’m in nursing school and sometimes I procrastinate studying to the day before an exam or I get easily distracted while studying and it ends up being a whole day or just overwhelmed. And omg this couldn’t have come at a better time, I’m ready for a change so thank you so much. 📅❌

This is the video I never knew I needed. Ive watched tons and tons of videos about study methods, but nothing worked for me. Im in 8th grade right now and am aming to be at the top of my class. Last year I thought I was simply content with having high grades, but recently I've been wanting to achieve a better version of myself. Of course, If I dont achieve it, it's okay. I wont beat myself up and I'll simply celebrate how my hard work has paid off.

Missed your videos on RU-vid Faye and thank you for this one because my dental school mid terms are coming up and I was starting to stress about how I'll be managing my time 📅❌

Her Editing is so Amazing and wholesome ❤ such hardwork wow... Ahhh more the reasons to love her

Great video. My new year's resolution is to pick up and be consistent with some simple but impactful habits and this planning method seems perfect for working through my dissertation. Thank you!

Such an amazing video! All the things are well-explained and practical, the editing is perfect. Thank you Faye!

The readings and the anki cards never end. And yet I can't stay focused. I needed this.

I used to watch a lot like a lot of medical student vlogs as to see what my future would look like and I have stopped watching them altogether minus your videos! I get notified the minute you post and will typically watch it that day. You're doing great Faye! 📅❌

Thank you !!! Im struggling so much right now and this actually made real sense and i related to it so much. Seriously thank you

you are so inspiring! will definitely start implementing these tips!!

Wow this is insane. I’m in the exact same boat as you were and i relate to all of this. Thank you so much ❤

Brilliant video, Faye! Congrats. Great title! -just subscribed. Greetings to the UK!

Now, I knew what's wrong with my study plan even that I plan a day by day, I've never put a deadline to my task ! I have the tasks on my hand needs to be done but its procrastinated From now on I'll try this (my midterm exams start tomorrow wish me luck) Thank you Faye ❤❤❤

I'm in love with her content from now on ❤

super helpful! I had something similar in 4th year finals season- a calender above my desk which I'd cross out every day when I completed my 100 questions and it just made the dopamine hit a daily one so I wanted to do more work the next day

Thanks for sharing your experiences :) Your voice is very relaxing btw

I can't possibly explain how real this is. ❤

I really needed this . I’ve always found that study plans never work for me but i kept trying

Love these kinds of videos

This is exactly what Im trying to say. We are all diffrent and our mood depends on every little thing. We cannot have the same routine everyday cause we dont have the same mood everyday too. Its up to us to decide how we want our day to go. I believe in myself and in all of you, we are gonna get throught this💖

Beautiful video ❤

Thank you so much for the video, it’s so helpfullll😭

Thank you! I‘m in my 3rd year of med school and I wish I‘d have seen this earlier! My mom always pressured me into „having to study all night and day“ 😮‍💨

Love your videos Faye! Will we have a vlog soon?

This is so encouraging and heartwarming… ❤

I can just watch her all day 🥺❤

Thank you for this Faye! ❤

Real about the "how you're feeling on that day". I knew it was gonna be a good video.

I am starting my last year of school next year (I'm in Australia so we start the school year in Jan) so this has been so helpful to me. I really want to aim to do the best I possibly can next year, so I get a high enough grade to get into University. But, my current 'system' just doesn't work. I have exams coming up in a week so I'm going to try this out and see how this works compared to last week, thank you so so much!

As a survivor of neglect don't expect myself to be able to do all of those hard things but you make it seem almost doable when i reach 20y tysm

the way this came at just the right time.

You got a new subscriber loved this

First!!! Can’t wait to watch the video!

📆 ❌ love all your videos Faye!

thank you for this video, it is beneficial and motivating. it is really what I have been looking for. god bless you.

thank you for this ❤

thank you so much 😭😭😭😭 I love you ❤️

When I did my A-levels I had a 4 month plan. Yes, 4 months. Basically it was more of a revision plan than a study plan because I had previously learned all the topics for my exams. Thus I knew how much time I roughly needed to revise each topic. I also had no particular order so I would’ve been able to switch certain days. On each day, I went over my notes to refresh my memory and I did my flashcards. This took me roughly 10-60 minutes a day, some topics being short and easy, other ones basically left my memory completely or were hard to understand the first time. I believe I also was able to take the weekends off so that’s why my plan was 4 months long. In the end it was a super chill revision and I was able to get the marks I needed to be accepted into med school.

You just got a new subscriber❤

Thank youu💗

📅❌ appreciate this!!

I loove this so much❤

I noticed you hand write your planner and I’ve tried Google calendar for planning and I think it has its place for certain things like appointments, etc. but I love the feeling of physically having something written down that I can cross off. I think I am more likely to do something if it’s physically written down as well

That’s true every can be a genius. We as a “simple” people just need discipline and good schedule.

I feel like, if you don't mind spending 4 to 5 hours rote memorizing to an extent with summary notes and rereading, it's great! It works for everyone I know!

Honestly, I just clicked on this video because I wanted to hear someone else shitting on schedules. I'm not dissapointed and on top of that, I got some new tips ❤

What if i don't have any weaknesses from last exam season? I jumped from Biology, Chemistry and Physics to Anatomy, Histology, Physiology. I was not prepared for this overload of information and how broad and far reaching the syllabus was

📆❌ love you vid. it really helped me 😘😘🥳 THANK YOU

Thank u ❤

hey faye, its been a while since i watched your videos.Everything u mentioned here,i found it damn relatable🙃 lots of luv for uuu

❤❤❤. I love your vids

Totally agree!

I don’t know what you’re talking about, making study plans has saved me

thankyou baby .i love you✨

This was a good video 📆❌ Thank you.

study schedules don't work for me...I just find time in the day to do it as I go along.

📆❌ thank you sm for the video

Show us few examples of your flashcards please!

Is there a video on how you make your flash cards or on how to actually study? I’ve never actually known HOW I’m suppose to study when there’s so much material for each class, like how do I know whats important and what I need to remember

Hey maybe some of us like Brussel sprouts AND struggle with studying…

Would you ever share your flash cards?

how do you sit for so long with adhd even when just time blocking 30 min sessions?

are all study geniuses named faye or smth bc her and fayefilms have saved my grades 😭😭

Where were you when I was doing my A-levels?? OMG

what are those fonts she used?

If I plan on a daily basis, how would I know when to even start stuyding for the next exam season? Sure you *should* technically study throughout the entire semester but I simply don't. Without a six week plan though, I will not do enough because I tend to overestimate what I get done in one day.

you should really organize those advises cause i got lost in there for a min

Maybe you're right your thought

I lobe you so much

How do we know whch topics are high yield? Anytime i try to study, i feel so stupid that i am almost brought to tears

📆 ❌ btw this is the best study video I have ever found

perfect for the ADHDers ty

Great video 📅 ❌

I agree

How can I figure out which topics are high yield?

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👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Ad maiora 👑

Am too lazy to watch this but am subscribbing

Just finished the video. These tips were very helpful and I’m sure I’m going to start implementing them because I’m in the middle of my exams. I really loved the analogies, they helped a lot to visualise and understand what you were talking about in bite-size chunks. Classic Faye W! Thank you so so much! 📅❌

💗💗💗💗

I am in second year medical school. How do i study for anatomy, embryology, histology, physiology and others in a smart way rather than a hard way? Cause that's what all my course mates are doing. They all brag about studying for 10 hours, 15 hours and so on? I prefer to study smart rather than hard. I would so happy if you answered cause I know you've gone through it all already

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Hi

📆❌ Really great video ☺️. I'm always behind my studyplan. I need to try this instead. I think the music is a little bit too loud. Maybe it is just me because it isn't my mother tounge, but it was sometimes difficult to follow your words.

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I'm earlyyy

📆❌️ New subscriber ❤

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