The Novelty Trap

Something wicked this way comes.

It’s my statistics exam. Tomorrow. And as I sit here typing this, I’m in the middle of preparing for it.

Well, at least I was preparing for it, until this article came along.

For over six years, since my A-levels in the UK, I’ve stayed faithful to the same exact study method. And even with the odd tweak here and there, the foundation of my process has stuck like a stubborn root.

A Simple Yet Effective Study Method

What’s this mystical method I’ve been so loyal to, you ask?

It’s nothing complex. I transcribe ideas — or to put it more plainly, I rewrite my old lecture notes in a fresh notebook. That’s it.

If that sounds like a faulty approach to academics, let me explain why it works for me.

If you’ve found your way to this article, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered “study YouTube” — that vast corner of the internet where learning techniques, memory hacks, and tips for acing exams abound. You know the videos: How to Remember Everything, The Ultimate Study Hacks, and so on.

The Allure of New Solutions

These videos thrive for a reason: they offer new and shiny solutions to old, boring problems. We, as learners, love novelty. Old methods feel tough, repetitive, and well… old.

So when we stumble upon a new approach with fancy labels slapped on it, our procrastinating brains go, This is it. This will be the method that fixes it all.

That’s why videos that promise groundbreaking study tips go viral. We love novelty, even when it doesn’t serve us.

Why My “Old-School” Approach Works

Despite the constant temptation of shiny new study techniques, I’ve remained loyal to my “primitive” method of rewriting notes. It’s not flashy, but it works for me.

There are no complex 13-step flowcharts, no memory palaces, no AI-assisted learning tools.

And yet, despite its simplicity, this method has helped me successfully push through exam after exam (knock on wood).

Which brings me to the heart of the matter: don’t fix what isn’t broken.

Avoiding the Trap of Novelty

I’m not here to tell you to abandon YouTube’s study gurus or to discredit the techniques they share. I’m simply pointing out the trap of constantly chasing novelty in the learning space.

Every time you scroll through your YouTube homepage, there’s a new technique, app, or “revolutionary” learning strategy competing for your attention. It’s easy to feel like you need to overhaul your entire process every time a new study hack comes along. But here’s the thing: your current process probably works.

You can tinker with it, refine it, or eliminate what’s unnecessary. But if you’re constantly changing your study approach, you’ll never make meaningful progress.

Stick With What Works for You

You wouldn’t buy a house, spend months renovating it, and then move to the next neighborhood just when it’s finally done. The same applies to learning.

So, take your time. Explore and experiment with new techniques if you want to, but make sure you’re the one deciding what works best for you — not a stranger on the internet.

Because, in the end, the best study method is the one that works for you.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my stats exam prep.