Don’t Study, Do Something

Josh Thorpe is a Lecturer at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, UK.

• PART I: BUILD YOUR FOUNDATIONIntroduction. Start here.1. Who are you? Start your journey with clarity by defining your core values, beliefs, and personal goals2. You can do it – Learn to use the science of SMART goals, visualisation, and 'growth mindset' to hack your brain and learn more effectively.3. Own your space – Master your spaces, materials, and workflow, so you are always ready to do good work.4. Custom design a routine for you – Go with the flow of your own biology and brain.PART II: START LEARNING NOW: HOW TO DO THINGS 5. Take better notes in lecture – Three simple note-taking methods to keep you focused and help you perform in exams and assignments.6. Don't just listen, do something – Use the secret of ‘active recall’ to build confidence quickly and avoid the stress of cramming.7. Read smarter, not harder – Experiment with active reading techniques to take control, enjoy reading more, and stop banging your head against the text.8. Get more than your peers from tutorials, seminars, and labs – Learn to engage without the embarrassment, so you can learn faster and enjoy it more9. Use AI like no one else – Gen AI isn’t a simple tool or shortcut. Use it creatively to supercharge your brain – without cheating.10. Learn to focus for better work and better mood – Sculpt your surroundings and tweak your tech for less stress and better brain function.11. Manage your time – Find a practical time management strategy that actually works for youPART III: ACE YOUR ASSESSMENTS12. Tackle assignments – Master your assignments before they master you13. Be the writer – Try the two most common ways to write…and bring them together14. Be many writers – Get creative with how you write15. Collaborate wisely – Make group work less stress and more useful16. Prepare for Exams – No need to ‘cram’ when you just know stuff. PART IV: DON’T STOP17. Use grades and feedback to your advantage – Most students ignore their feedback. Don’t be them18. Boost motivation and avoid procrastination – Use science to beat procrastination and maintain motivation19. Change your mindset – Use the science of ‘growth mindset’