Self-evaluation is difficult. That’s why even at the highest-level sports, you still see coaches and trainers. You can’t know everything and sometimes it “feels” like you’re doing the right thing when actually you’re creating a problem.
My brother is a Physical Therapist and he would tell patients that what it “feels” like doesn’t always represent reality. Hang nails really hurt, stubbing your toe really hurts, but there isn’t any real damage going on.
The same idea applies to studying. You’re doing the same things over and over and wondering why, even though you work hard, your grades aren’t going up.
Here’s just one example:
Are you randomizing your studying or are you studying and doing questions in a nice linear path?
There was a study done, I can’t remember the details off the top of my head, but they took these college baseball players and had them practice hitting. In batting practice they’d get 10 fastballs, 10 curve balls and 10 changeups.
Group A hit 10 fastballs and then 10 curve balls and then 10 changeups. Group B got the same thirty pitches, but in a completely random order.
Which group do you think made the most progress in the batting cage? Group A of course. The guys in group B were not doing as well and getting frustrated.
Which group do you think hit better in a game? Group B of course. Unless you’re on the Astros, no one tells you which pitch is coming next. You have to adjust and hit it.
Group A felt like they were making more progress, but in reality, group B was making more progress. What “feels” better isn’t always better.
Varied practice will result in better performance.
Another example was a study done with a group of school kids. The question was simple. How consistently could these kids throw a ball into a bucket 3 feet away?
They tested them. Then they split up into two groups.
One group (the control) practiced from 3 feet. The other group practiced from 2 and 4 feet but never 3.
I wouldn’t be using this story if the control group won, you know that.
Of course, during practice, the control group looked much better. The other kids struggled, while the kids from three feet were getting better.
But when it came down to the test, the second group blew the first one out of the water. I wish I could remember the numbers, I can’t, but believe me, they were really impressive.
Two lessons here.
1. The best way isn’t always the way that “feels” right. The struggle is part of it.
2. Variation is better. Your brain does better with more data points.
How do we use this?
I have my baseball kids throw and catch tennis balls and footballs. They practice hitting off a tee and from DIFFERENT pitchers. They look worse at practice, but they will do better as the season goes on.
What about studying?
Practice with different types of questions and different topics mixed together. Use The Final Step for short, to-the-point questions and something like Lange for longer questions.
The first half of The Final Step is set up by topic and then part B has all the topics mixed together. Even better, I include a pdf – volume 2. That book is the made up of exact same questions in a completely random different order than volume 1.
They key is to mix it up and struggle. If there isn’t a struggle, you’re not getting better.
Get your copy of The Final Step here.
Brian Wallace
