There isn't a formally established "20 Study Rule" in academic literature or common study strategies. The question likely refers to an application of the Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) to studying.
Applying the 80/20 Rule to Studying
The Pareto Principle states that roughly 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Applied to studying, this means focusing your efforts on the 20% of study activities that yield the most significant results. This could involve:
- Identifying key concepts: Spend most of your time mastering the core concepts and principles of a subject, as these often account for a large portion of exam questions or overall understanding.
- Prioritizing challenging areas: Focus more time and energy on topics you find most difficult. Overcoming these hurdles will often yield a disproportionately large improvement in your overall performance.
- Strategic practice: Instead of passively rereading notes, engage in active recall, practice problems, and past paper questions. This targeted practice yields better results than simply reviewing material.
- Effective note-taking: Develop a concise and efficient note-taking system that helps you quickly access the most important information.
Example: Imagine you're studying for a history exam. Instead of spending equal time on every chapter, identify the key themes or periods emphasized by the instructor. Focus your study time on those areas, and you'll likely see a significant improvement in your exam score.
The provided reference emphasizes the Pareto Principle's general application: "approximately 80% of outcomes or results come from about 20% of your inputs or effort." This principle, when applied to studying, highlights the importance of strategic effort allocation to maximize learning outcomes.
