Effective STUDYING METHODS?

[PureSword]

Hello everyone.

Now that a new school year is upon us, I was wondering if some of you can share some studying tips for new or current students. I am starting my 4th year in September and I have tried almost every single study method there is, some worked, others haven't, so I am getting by but I am still not content.

So if you guys can give some suggestions and methods that worked great for you that would be awesome!

[blzn]

Generally (for me) there are usually two different types of tests to prepare for. One involves memorizing a large amount of information while the other involves calculations.

For memorizing, I tend to write everything you have to learn down then begin memorizing. I'll memorize what I have to on the first page, be able to recall it strictly from memory (with the use of acronyms) before I move on to the next page. Once I get the next page down I recite both the first and second page and only when I have it down perfectly do I continue. Repeat as you go along.

Calculation wise.. I pick no more than 4-6 questions per chapter that are difficult (and relevant) and practice those again and again. Oh yeah and again. I see student's who try to do every single question but if they had to redo any one of them they couldn't get 80%+ of it.

That's basically how I learn, hope it helps.

[Ascott]

For anything that involves regurgitating information I always found that getting one or more classmates and verbally quizzing each other was the most effective study method. Usually we would make a list beforehand to make sure we asked questions covering every relevant topic.

For anything involve critical thinking/calculations I used to break problems down into individual components and focus on one component at a time and then move to the next one. So, if I had five mechanical word problems I would break them down in X steps. I would do the first step of all of them and then study that step by creating permutations of the same problems and redoing it several times. Then I would move to the next step and create new permutations and complete both the first and second steps. Rinse and repeat until review problems were complete. The focus here is remembering what the steps are - that way if you encounter a problem where you're sketchy on the actual calculation method, you have a reasonable chance of sussing it out just by remember that step 3 is something like"Define _____ as it relates to _____".

[JuliTheNub]

Do past year exams/questions.

[Swinky]

Entering second year, here. My first year has been somewhat of a disaster when it came to study habits and work ethic, thankfully I came out fine, but I doubt I can get away with doing the same thing this year.

I've never personally tried this, but still remember it vividly from when my grade 12 calculus teacher told us:

"In my 4th year university, I decided to be a model student and look over my class notes every evening for 20 minutes. From that I got the best grades I'd ever gotten, too bad I was in my last year already, wish I had done that earlier"

So...I guess that'll be my studying method next year.

[-Skyline-]

Studies have shown the most effective way to study something is to teach others. Form a study group of about 4 students (make sure at least one student is below average or below your standards) and try to teach them. Trust me it works better than all the other methods posted here.

[windforcexx28]

This is what I've been told over and over again:

Do the required readings before class

Review lecture notes right after class

Review on a regular basis - if it's a calculation-based course, practice the questions on a regular basis

Do not cram!

If you're able to teach someone a concept, chances are that you are probably really familiar with the concept, so you can try that too.

[JuliTheNub]

Studies have shown the most effective way to study something is to teach others. Form a study group of about 4 students (make sure at least one student is below average or below your standards) and try to teach them. Trust me it works better than all the other methods posted here.

Only do it if you know your stuff tho. The purpose of teaching others is to reinforce one's knowledge. Once joined a study group where the guy who insisted on teaching barely knew the material. Absolute disaster.

[mtbmxrider]

1. Gain interest in the subject.
2. Understand the subject over long uninterupted sessions.
3. Coffee/tea can help.

[chinesedevil]

Understand the material to the point where you could teach other peers. Don't memorize when possible, you will just forget after the exam. If all else fails, cheat.

[rjones416]

what do you do when all you have is the textbook to study? with so much information in the chapters how do you remember it all? this is for a pathophysiology course. in my previous classes basically everything you needed to know was put on powerpoint slides so it was easy to study for.

[maddydo]

1. always try to understand what you're studying and what's being taught in class
2. pay attention to your professor and take notes (helps register in your brain)
3. do the assigned reading everyday and if you read so much it becomes a blur, take your time and re-read some lines so you actually understand what it is you're reading
4. im not sure what subject you're studying but most of the time if you understand it, you dont need to memorize anything
5. turn off your phone, lock your door and put some orchestra music (not loudly) and read
6. if you dont need the internet, disconnect your modem so you're not browsing rfd and fb or whatever everytime you get bored
7. assigned reading times every night and stick to it, say 1 hr after dinner
8. do your homework right away and dont wait until the last minute

[maddydo]

oh and if you find you become uninterested in whatever it is your studying, repeat to yourself over and over "focus and i can do this"

[Forhad]

Organise a timetable for topics and modules and stick to it. Don't be alone - talk to other people on your course to thrash ideas about - it really helps!

[Dwight10]

Mark the important chapters and questions and be attentive on those. Do the classes attentively and listen nicely the lectures of teachers. Also don't waste any time on any unnecessary work.