About this video

• Video Title: A math GENIUS taught me how to LEARN ANYTHING in 3 months (it's easy)
• Channel: Python Programmer
• Speakers: The speaker is the author of the video.
• Duration: 00:08:52

Overview

This video details the speaker's experience learning mathematics for A-levels in an unusually short time using a specific learning technique. The speaker struggled with math, was told by a teacher he wasn't suited for it, but then encountered a tutor, Mr. Simpson, who employed a "fill in the gaps" method. This method, combined with dedicated practice, led to a 99% score on a mock exam, which was controversially disqualified. The speaker then outlines a seven-step learning process inspired by his experience and the book "Ultra Learning" by Scott Young, emphasizing active practice, focusing on weaknesses, self-testing, feedback, and understanding the "why" behind solutions. The video also includes a segment about the importance of mental health for learning, with a sponsorship from BetterHelp.

Key takeaways

• Personal Struggle and Breakthrough: The speaker initially struggled significantly with math, receiving discouraging advice from a teacher, but a chance encounter with a tutor introduced a highly effective learning method.
• "Fill in the Gaps" Method: This technique involved solving problems with missing parts of the solution, forcing active engagement and problem-solving.
• Intensive Practice: The speaker completed thousands of math problems from textbooks, deliberately choosing challenging topics to solidify understanding.
• Controversial Success: The speaker achieved a 99% score on a mock exam in a fraction of the allotted time, but the result was disqualified, and the speaker was banned from the math department, highlighting institutional resistance to unconventional success.
• Seven-Step Learning Process: The speaker distills the learning technique into seven steps: learn how to learn, focus, do the thing, find weaknesses, test yourself, get feedback, and understand the reasoning behind answers.
• Mental Health Importance: The speaker stresses that effective learning is hampered by poor mental health and advocates for seeking therapy, mentioning a partnership with BetterHelp.

The "fill in the gaps" learning method involved the speaker being given handwritten questions with handwritten answers, but with parts of the solution missing. He was instructed to "fill in the gaps," meaning he had to figure out the missing steps or information to complete the problem. If he got stuck, his tutor advised him to write down a reasonable guess and try it. This process was repeated with problem sheets between sessions and by working through textbook examples in a similar way, covering up parts of the solution to figure them out.