as the title says...
thanks.
Full Version: Share Some Good Study Habits/Advice/Tips Here!!
I actually need some better studying habits too.
But I always find reviewing over the material learned to help.
Another method that I think is good (and works) is that right after a class, you should review what you learned so you won't forget it right away.
That is, if you have time inbetween classes.
But I always find reviewing over the material learned to help.
Another method that I think is good (and works) is that right after a class, you should review what you learned so you won't forget it right away.
That is, if you have time inbetween classes.
Stop haunting soompi. haha.
*points at myself* should be studying chem.
Don't listen to music when you do homework.
Review stuff learned in class that night at home.
Don't cram (unless it works for you).
Don't compare yourself to other peoples study habits. Everyone is different.
*points at myself* should be studying chem.
Don't listen to music when you do homework.
Review stuff learned in class that night at home.
Don't cram (unless it works for you).
Don't compare yourself to other peoples study habits. Everyone is different.
GET AWAY FROM YOUR HOME COMPUTER!!! dats wat i do cuz mine is such a distraction wit the anime and korean drama in them and all...i get too addicted easily 
i could watch it a whole day straight!
i could watch it a whole day straight!
- get away from the computer unless you need to do your homework on it like I do =)
- when you get back from class immediately start on your homework so that you can finish it and have more time later
- eat breakfast HAHA
- go to the library if you need a quiet place in order to study
- never lag behind in your homework
- always study ahead of time for you tests
- when you get back from class immediately start on your homework so that you can finish it and have more time later
- eat breakfast HAHA
- go to the library if you need a quiet place in order to study
- never lag behind in your homework
- always study ahead of time for you tests
- Don't cram/procrastinate on the day of the exam.
- Review notes regularly
- Take you OWN notes from the textbook. I find that this helps a lot. If you get the key points, it saves you a ton of time just by reading your notes taken from the textbook instead of the textbook itself.
Cuz textbooks tend to have a bunch load of bs.
- Study at least 2-3 days before your midterms/exams.
- Don't waste your time on Soompi the night before a test.
- GET ENOUGH SLEEP on the night of the upcoming exam...cuz you'll forget everything if you don't, cuz your brain will be in shutting down mode on the day of the exam if you don't.
- Eat 1/2-1 hour before an exam...cuz you're gonna feel sleepy if you're too full, and your body will focus on digesting the food rather than the test. But don't go into an exam hungry either.
- Review notes regularly
- Take you OWN notes from the textbook. I find that this helps a lot. If you get the key points, it saves you a ton of time just by reading your notes taken from the textbook instead of the textbook itself.
Cuz textbooks tend to have a bunch load of bs.- Study at least 2-3 days before your midterms/exams.
- Don't waste your time on Soompi the night before a test.
- GET ENOUGH SLEEP on the night of the upcoming exam...cuz you'll forget everything if you don't, cuz your brain will be in shutting down mode on the day of the exam if you don't.
- Eat 1/2-1 hour before an exam...cuz you're gonna feel sleepy if you're too full, and your body will focus on digesting the food rather than the test. But don't go into an exam hungry either.
i think the easiest way to do well in school is to make sure you understand everything from each lecture. if theres something you dont get, figure it out once you get home. this pretty much ensures you dont have to spend mcuh time at all studying.
my method is just to pay attention during class and then i dont have to worry about cramming
my method is just to pay attention during class and then i dont have to worry about cramming
surround yourself in a quiet enviroment
dont have anything around to distract you
these help me, hope it help u
dont have anything around to distract you
these help me, hope it help u
try not to study in groups; i often find that not much progress will be done. everyone will only talk with everyone. unless it is some highly important project that needs to be done in the next 3 hours to a day.
also when studying, take small breaks, usually after 30 min- 1 hr. of studying. you'll zone out if you study continuously.
take advantage of your professor/TA's office hours. they are there to help, not to scare or make you feel dumb. and sometimes, you could get a recommendation letter out of them if you go regularly. and regardless of what everyone thinks, going regularly to a prof's office hours does not make you much of a nerd.
P.S. I have PINNED this thread, to make it easier for everyone to find & not make a new thread on this topic. Also, I think it will help more college students get by, obtain some good study habits, and have a BETTER TRANSITION in this thing called College - especially with studying! Hope it will help you out!
also when studying, take small breaks, usually after 30 min- 1 hr. of studying. you'll zone out if you study continuously.
take advantage of your professor/TA's office hours. they are there to help, not to scare or make you feel dumb. and sometimes, you could get a recommendation letter out of them if you go regularly. and regardless of what everyone thinks, going regularly to a prof's office hours does not make you much of a nerd.
P.S. I have PINNED this thread, to make it easier for everyone to find & not make a new thread on this topic. Also, I think it will help more college students get by, obtain some good study habits, and have a BETTER TRANSITION in this thing called College - especially with studying! Hope it will help you out!
Is taking notes part of study habits because I write notes but never go back to them... and when I do, I usually end up spending up more time than necessary to interpret it. I know I write that stuff in the same order as the teacher presents it, but comments and what they write down isn't as useful as one may think.
read the chapters assigned to u beforehand (or u can read them a couple days before the exam) and take notes from the book..i find that really helps me coz the notes that professors give tend to be outlines only..so go back to the book for smthing that u dont understand. if chapters are too long, then just skip those that the professors didnt cover (they don't really cover everything on a single chapter anyway, unless u have professors that are really mean like that 
)
take breaks...if u find that ur mind really isn't on what you're studying, then stop! but don't procrastinate too long or you'll really end up not studying at all (i got that from my aunt ^^)
do homework as soon as you get home...or at least, give yourself a day or two before deadline and do them
drink lots of water (one of my professors says this actually helps nutrients and stuff go to your brain, and u tend to be less sleepy)
if there's really something you can't figure out on ur own, don't ever hesitate to ask someone.
) take breaks...if u find that ur mind really isn't on what you're studying, then stop! but don't procrastinate too long or you'll really end up not studying at all (i got that from my aunt ^^)
do homework as soon as you get home...or at least, give yourself a day or two before deadline and do them
drink lots of water (one of my professors says this actually helps nutrients and stuff go to your brain, and u tend to be less sleepy)
if there's really something you can't figure out on ur own, don't ever hesitate to ask someone.
Make a schedule and study a little bit each day, even if it's only 30 minutes. This way you won't feel like you have too much to do that it's impossible.
Start your homework early so that you have plenty of time to work on it.
Study in the library. Best studying I've ever done was at the library.
Always keep coffee handy. Even if you're not sleepy, if you've got 30 pages of o-chem to plod through, you will be sleepy soon enough.
Start your homework early so that you have plenty of time to work on it.
Study in the library. Best studying I've ever done was at the library.
Always keep coffee handy. Even if you're not sleepy, if you've got 30 pages of o-chem to plod through, you will be sleepy soon enough.
for a math, chem, or physics class, go over sample problems in the textbook. make sure u understand each step and could do it yourself. doing it the day before helps keeping it fresh in your memory.
Do NOT skip a class.
Two reasons why:
1. You never know what a professor will cover during class, and it is better to spend an hour in class and an hour outside of class to cover a material than to spend countless hours studying the material on your own.
2. It will fall into the pits of habit. It doesn't matter how often you tell yourself that you shouldn't skip class, because eventually you'll find yourself at a Starbucks reading a teen novel you just purchased from a Barnes and Noble while replenishing yourself with a coffee frappucino and those cool rice krispy treats (can you tell I speak of experience?
).
And, for the hell of it, I'm going to add a third reason: Because your friends, the hard working ones, will start to look down on your absence and will begin to treat you differently in lab groups.
Two reasons why:
1. You never know what a professor will cover during class, and it is better to spend an hour in class and an hour outside of class to cover a material than to spend countless hours studying the material on your own.
2. It will fall into the pits of habit. It doesn't matter how often you tell yourself that you shouldn't skip class, because eventually you'll find yourself at a Starbucks reading a teen novel you just purchased from a Barnes and Noble while replenishing yourself with a coffee frappucino and those cool rice krispy treats (can you tell I speak of experience?
).And, for the hell of it, I'm going to add a third reason: Because your friends, the hard working ones, will start to look down on your absence and will begin to treat you differently in lab groups.
1. review constantly, slowly extending the gap between each review period (10 minutes -> 1 hour -> 3 hours -> a day -> 2 days -> a week etc.)
2. never skip lectures... the moment you do, it'll become very addicting and an instant automatic habit :]
3. use your brain effectively... study multiple subjects that are completely DIFFERENT from one another.. for example, if you need to study for calculus and psychology, study an every other hour for calculus, while filling the other every hour with psychology. NEVER do this with a similar subject because it'll just confuse your brain.
4. take a 10 min break every hour to freshen up your mind a bit
5. if you start getting sleepy, exercise to get your body hyped up a bit
6. use the academic loophole... if you're running short on time and you just can't seem to memorize a couple concepts, write it down on a cheat sheet. Review this cheat sheet whenever you're bored, and on exam day review it the minute before they hand out the exams, and put it away. As soon as you get the exam, transfer whatever you remember from your cheat sheet on the back of the exam paper... it's not cheating to write anything on the exams from your memory :]
7. once you fall behind... you're screwed and will never be able to catch up again, SO DON'T FALL BEHIND!.
8. sniff chocolates before memorizing something, it helps with memorization :]
9. make sure to get 6~8 hours of sleep... the point past the sixth hour is when your short term memory is transcribed into your long term memory.
10. MAKE SURE to eat breakfast... you want the energy, trust me.
=P
2. never skip lectures... the moment you do, it'll become very addicting and an instant automatic habit :]
3. use your brain effectively... study multiple subjects that are completely DIFFERENT from one another.. for example, if you need to study for calculus and psychology, study an every other hour for calculus, while filling the other every hour with psychology. NEVER do this with a similar subject because it'll just confuse your brain.
4. take a 10 min break every hour to freshen up your mind a bit
5. if you start getting sleepy, exercise to get your body hyped up a bit
6. use the academic loophole... if you're running short on time and you just can't seem to memorize a couple concepts, write it down on a cheat sheet. Review this cheat sheet whenever you're bored, and on exam day review it the minute before they hand out the exams, and put it away. As soon as you get the exam, transfer whatever you remember from your cheat sheet on the back of the exam paper... it's not cheating to write anything on the exams from your memory :]
7. once you fall behind... you're screwed and will never be able to catch up again, SO DON'T FALL BEHIND!.
8. sniff chocolates before memorizing something, it helps with memorization :]
9. make sure to get 6~8 hours of sleep... the point past the sixth hour is when your short term memory is transcribed into your long term memory.
10. MAKE SURE to eat breakfast... you want the energy, trust me.
=P
1.) START EARLY. There are really no excuses unless it's a medical/emergency situation.
2.) MAKE YOUR OWN NOTES. When you have to explain them yourself, you understand them better.
3.) GO TO CLASS. It helps. Believe me. lol.
4.) TALK TO YOUR PROF. They know their stuff. E-mail, phone calls, or office hours. They're accessible but not everyone goes to them for help. It's also a good way to get them to distinguish you amidst your 150+ classmates.
5.) STUDY GROUPS. It's good to get someone else's opinion. But I know not everyone wants to study with others.
6.) GET GOOD RESOURCES. There are study guides everywhere for a variety of subjects, and even online if you need them. My history book, for example, has a textbook online source that you can register at, and it gives really good interactive tests and summaries.
7.) LOOK UP TERMS. If you don't understand something, wikipedia it, or go to your library and check it out.
8.) REVIEW SESSIONS. Don't skip out on those optional review classes if you know you need them.
9.) STUDY. And do so until you are confident about what you know.
10.) RELAX. People who worry/second-guess themselves get distracted too easily.
I hope this helps!
2.) MAKE YOUR OWN NOTES. When you have to explain them yourself, you understand them better.
3.) GO TO CLASS. It helps. Believe me. lol.
4.) TALK TO YOUR PROF. They know their stuff. E-mail, phone calls, or office hours. They're accessible but not everyone goes to them for help. It's also a good way to get them to distinguish you amidst your 150+ classmates.
5.) STUDY GROUPS. It's good to get someone else's opinion. But I know not everyone wants to study with others.
6.) GET GOOD RESOURCES. There are study guides everywhere for a variety of subjects, and even online if you need them. My history book, for example, has a textbook online source that you can register at, and it gives really good interactive tests and summaries.
7.) LOOK UP TERMS. If you don't understand something, wikipedia it, or go to your library and check it out.
8.) REVIEW SESSIONS. Don't skip out on those optional review classes if you know you need them.
9.) STUDY. And do so until you are confident about what you know.
10.) RELAX. People who worry/second-guess themselves get distracted too easily.
I hope this helps!
1. Start studying 1 week before test. Don't cram unless you're capable and know how to. - yes, there is a special way to do it, varies with each person, and it's really a talent. i can teach you but it might not be a style that you can manage
2. Shut off anything that's distractive (i.e. cell phone, internet, tv, music, etc.) - this make you focus on what you're studying
3. Take notes, read notes, and type them up. - nothing is better than your own words.
4. Group studying - the more brains, the better the understanding of the subject. everyone knows different things better
5. If you fall behind double up on weekends! sacrafice one weekend to help yourself catch up. - better to have good grades than have fun and fail out of college!
6. Caffeine... enemy and friend. - yes it helps you keep awake but you have to remember the after effects of it! the more you have the crappier you'll feel later!
7. Don't do all nighters! - tempting, yes. but it's horrible for focusing when you want to and bad for your health.
8. Don't get sick! take care of yourself! - being sick during tests, exams, or finals is the worst thing because your brain doesn't want to work, it wants to go into slumber sleep and help you heal. do yourself a favor and stack up on vitamin C when flu season nears by.
2. Shut off anything that's distractive (i.e. cell phone, internet, tv, music, etc.) - this make you focus on what you're studying
3. Take notes, read notes, and type them up. - nothing is better than your own words.
4. Group studying - the more brains, the better the understanding of the subject. everyone knows different things better
5. If you fall behind double up on weekends! sacrafice one weekend to help yourself catch up. - better to have good grades than have fun and fail out of college!
6. Caffeine... enemy and friend. - yes it helps you keep awake but you have to remember the after effects of it! the more you have the crappier you'll feel later!
7. Don't do all nighters! - tempting, yes. but it's horrible for focusing when you want to and bad for your health.
8. Don't get sick! take care of yourself! - being sick during tests, exams, or finals is the worst thing because your brain doesn't want to work, it wants to go into slumber sleep and help you heal. do yourself a favor and stack up on vitamin C when flu season nears by.
Well, mines are:
>Do your homework/paper/any other assignments the night/week they're assigned. Otherwise, you would just put them on the back of your mind and end up doing them at the last minute.
>Read up the textbook and then put down your own notes.
>Never ever skip a class just for the heck of it. It's only 1 or 2 hours, but you could lose so much.
>Turn OFF your computer. Having a stand-by computer is just too much of a temptation.
>Don't listen to music when you study any subjects other than Math or any other counting subjects. You'd end up only listening to the music.
>Never study/read while lying down. Cause it's easier to get sleepy that way. Better to just sit up.
>Do your homework/paper/any other assignments the night/week they're assigned. Otherwise, you would just put them on the back of your mind and end up doing them at the last minute.
>Read up the textbook and then put down your own notes.
>Never ever skip a class just for the heck of it. It's only 1 or 2 hours, but you could lose so much.
>Turn OFF your computer. Having a stand-by computer is just too much of a temptation.
>Don't listen to music when you study any subjects other than Math or any other counting subjects. You'd end up only listening to the music.
>Never study/read while lying down. Cause it's easier to get sleepy that way. Better to just sit up.
wow everyone got all the tips i usually use, but you forgot one most important one!
I learn this from my psy instructor. She taught us be confidence when we answer our questions especially during exams. You know how you doubt yourself when answering those MC questions? yea well go with the one your most confindence with! I did that and I got a B in her class...its was surprising because I never studied for her test until the last minute, which is BIG NO NO...and didnt really read the text book unless I have too.
I learn this from my psy instructor. She taught us be confidence when we answer our questions especially during exams. You know how you doubt yourself when answering those MC questions? yea well go with the one your most confindence with! I did that and I got a B in her class...its was surprising because I never studied for her test until the last minute, which is BIG NO NO...and didnt really read the text book unless I have too.
most of you have already covered the basics, but this is one that i've found helps me:
STUDY OUT LOUD.
it's weird, i get embarassed but it helps me if i study out loud. i talk to myself, ask myself what i'm trying to learn (or memorize, haha) and i answer the question out loud. it's basically me studying with myself as a study partner, haha. it helps.
someone above said to be wary of study groups. i'd agree... except sometimes study groups are good if the people in the group aren't really your friends, haha.
ALSO, review your study notes/study guide right before you go to bed, and as soon as you wake up (even before you brush your teeth or get out of bed). it helps because then the material you've studied is the last and first thing on your mind.
someone told me the 4-count of classical music helps studying too. not sure about that one...
STUDY OUT LOUD.
it's weird, i get embarassed but it helps me if i study out loud. i talk to myself, ask myself what i'm trying to learn (or memorize, haha) and i answer the question out loud. it's basically me studying with myself as a study partner, haha. it helps.
someone above said to be wary of study groups. i'd agree... except sometimes study groups are good if the people in the group aren't really your friends, haha.
ALSO, review your study notes/study guide right before you go to bed, and as soon as you wake up (even before you brush your teeth or get out of bed). it helps because then the material you've studied is the last and first thing on your mind.
someone told me the 4-count of classical music helps studying too. not sure about that one...
QUESTION: how long is an interdisciplinary degree in university? four years?
*i'm still in H.S.
*i'm still in H.S.
- Fill your fuel tank before starting to do homework/papers. Stopping midway for food is bad.
- Stock up on food for midnight cramming sessions.
- Eat before going to class. Some professors get jealous at the sight of food being eaten in class and give you bad grades.
- Get a [better] job. More money = more food.
- Eat well before going to sleep. Getting up in the middle of the night for a snack will make you feel tired the next day.
- When you're not busy sleeping, explore and try to discover more sources of cheap/free food. You'll need it.
..... yah..
- Stock up on food for midnight cramming sessions.
- Eat before going to class. Some professors get jealous at the sight of food being eaten in class and give you bad grades.
- Get a [better] job. More money = more food.
- Eat well before going to sleep. Getting up in the middle of the night for a snack will make you feel tired the next day.
- When you're not busy sleeping, explore and try to discover more sources of cheap/free food. You'll need it.
..... yah..
^you crack me up... all ur advice is centered around food!
I did a thing with a friend where we stopped visiting facebook, myspace, xanga, and youtube for the whole school semester... needless to say, it helped out a lot... even though there were days when I would check my e-mail like 20 times... hahahaha
Go to the Library and actually study instead of john teshing around with idiots.
Halfway through my second semester :x and it's midterm time!
1. Study alone first, and then maybe have a group session. So if you don't understand something you can always ask, and sometimes we'll just talk about random stuff about the course and stuff will come up that isn't in your notes.
2. Turn off the computer, music, whatever that you do in your spare time, it's way too tempting and distracting.
3. Review all your notes that night after you learn it, it'll help you remember it better. Don't fall back on homework and readings. It's a bi.tch to read 5 chapters of biology 2 nights before the exam. TIME MANAGEMENT.
4. Even if your teachers say the exam will be based on the lecture notes completely, read the textbook anyways. Notes are more outlines, and the book will be in more detail and have better definitions. Take your own notes from this too, I always find when I look back on lecture notes, I don't really understand it.
5. Talk to the profs and the TAs, they'll help a lot, and they might give a couple of hints too
Now all I have to do if follow my own advice Gosh, no wonder my marks are so bad this term.
1. Study alone first, and then maybe have a group session. So if you don't understand something you can always ask, and sometimes we'll just talk about random stuff about the course and stuff will come up that isn't in your notes.
2. Turn off the computer, music, whatever that you do in your spare time, it's way too tempting and distracting.
3. Review all your notes that night after you learn it, it'll help you remember it better. Don't fall back on homework and readings. It's a bi.tch to read 5 chapters of biology 2 nights before the exam. TIME MANAGEMENT.
4. Even if your teachers say the exam will be based on the lecture notes completely, read the textbook anyways. Notes are more outlines, and the book will be in more detail and have better definitions. Take your own notes from this too, I always find when I look back on lecture notes, I don't really understand it.
5. Talk to the profs and the TAs, they'll help a lot, and they might give a couple of hints too
Now all I have to do if follow my own advice
Gosh, no wonder my marks are so bad this term.
From personal experience:
1. Never leave notes till the last thing...
2. Always work to do all the assignments/coursework at least a week before the hand in date (obvoiusly when time permits) as this gives you time to go over anything AND you won't be staying up over cups of coffee trying to cram...
3. Seriously DO go to lectures~loadsa ppl i know failed or did really crap when they didn't turn up to lectures...
4. Ask when you don't get something~email is a good way to do so...
5. ^Agree with starcaption^^ Do read the textbooks~much more thorough and gives you another explanation for something you may not have understood in another textbook...
6. Don't get distracted by the internet...
So...that last one was really for me...i should be doing my report at the moment...was once again lured onto the internet!!
1. Never leave notes till the last thing...
2. Always work to do all the assignments/coursework at least a week before the hand in date (obvoiusly when time permits) as this gives you time to go over anything AND you won't be staying up over cups of coffee trying to cram...
3. Seriously DO go to lectures~loadsa ppl i know failed or did really crap when they didn't turn up to lectures...
4. Ask when you don't get something~email is a good way to do so...
5. ^Agree with starcaption^^ Do read the textbooks~much more thorough and gives you another explanation for something you may not have understood in another textbook...
6. Don't get distracted by the internet...
So...that last one was really for me...i should be doing my report at the moment...was once again lured onto the internet!!
Your best guide to college:
1) study
2) don't drop out
1) study
2) don't drop out
go somewhere were u know there wont be any distractions, (PC, Friends etc..)
read teh material 3 times
- 1 to get a plain view
- 2 to take notes and highlight what u think is important
- 3 summarize each paragraph into somehting u can understand
STUDY GROUPS ARE A MUST !!!!
- helps u discuss and bring up question u have on the text
NEVER CRAM especially in college
- there is far to much material for u to cram anythign in under 6 hours
well these are mine so yeah hope u have good luck
read teh material 3 times
- 1 to get a plain view
- 2 to take notes and highlight what u think is important
- 3 summarize each paragraph into somehting u can understand
STUDY GROUPS ARE A MUST !!!!
- helps u discuss and bring up question u have on the text
NEVER CRAM especially in college
- there is far to much material for u to cram anythign in under 6 hours
well these are mine so yeah hope u have good luck
tips:
- each night, review for at least 15-60 minutes for each class
- before each class, review notes for at least 10-15 minutes
- try to relate new information with your prior knowledge
- ask teachers for clarification if you don't understand something
- studying in a group is better than studying alone (according to statistics)
- get yourself away from distractions (like soompi!!)
- each night, review for at least 15-60 minutes for each class
- before each class, review notes for at least 10-15 minutes
- try to relate new information with your prior knowledge
- ask teachers for clarification if you don't understand something
- studying in a group is better than studying alone (according to statistics)
- get yourself away from distractions (like soompi!!)
QUOTE(prokrypt @ Jan 5 2007, 10:55 PM) [snapback]4595634[/snapback]
- Fill your fuel tank before starting to do homework/papers. Stopping midway for food is bad.
- Stock up on food for midnight cramming sessions.
- Eat before going to class. Some professors get jealous at the sight of food being eaten in class and give you bad grades.
- Get a [better] job. More money = more food.
- Eat well before going to sleep. Getting up in the middle of the night for a snack will make you feel tired the next day.
- When you're not busy sleeping, explore and try to discover more sources of cheap/free food. You'll need it.
..... yah..
- Stock up on food for midnight cramming sessions.
- Eat before going to class. Some professors get jealous at the sight of food being eaten in class and give you bad grades.
- Get a [better] job. More money = more food.
- Eat well before going to sleep. Getting up in the middle of the night for a snack will make you feel tired the next day.
- When you're not busy sleeping, explore and try to discover more sources of cheap/free food. You'll need it.
..... yah..
omgosh I agree!! Food is the key to success for studying! It really helps you keep your motivation up and not think about anything else other than what you're studying for.. maybe because your tummy's satisfied? haha
Well here's some of my advice
1. Coffee/caffeine - A MUST! (but try not to drink too much or you might get a headache, or even get yellow teeth & become shorter in the long-run). Candy may be a good alternative too but again it's those type of foods that gives you a real big boost of energy for a short period of time.
2. Isolate yourself from the outside world - ie. no internet/television/chatting/going out/NO SOOMPI. Best place to go is a university library, especially on the creepy levels with all the bookshelves and no one in sight! Might seem a big scary initially, but once you get cracking on your books, you won't even remember where you are. OR just lock yourself in your room for a good 24 hours (but then again you might just end up sleeping because of the comfort of your bed!)
3. Take no longer than a 5-10 min break for every hour you study or you might go crazy! Remember, a rubber band will snap if you stretch it too wide. Even just taking a walk around the room helps you "re-charge" your brain. I've also heard that if you close your eyes and take a mini-nap during those 5-10 min, you'll be able to remember the things you just learned much easier - doesn't really work for me because I just end up sleeping for a couple hours :\
4. IMP, I would say to stay away from "study groups" and public libraries (where all your friends go). Or at least choose study groups where you're not really good friends with the people just so you don't end up talking about the most useless things the entire time youre supposed to be studying.
5. Plan your time wisely! Make a schedule of what you're going to be studying that day and for approximately how long just so you have an idea. It's okay if you don't follow your schedule completely, but you'll tend to focus more when you KNOW what you would like to accomplish.
6. Don't CRAM! Especially for midterms and finals. Bad bad idea! You'll just end up stressing yourself way too much and blank out during the exam. You have to plan ahead of time (ie. couple weeks - a month)!
7. Make good notes! Read over all the material you've learned and make brief & concise point form notes that will help you understand better. Always try to re-word in your own words and simplify your notes so you know what you're actually writing about and not just memorizing your teachers' words.
8. ANDDDDDD last but not least, have a good night's rest & don't put so much pressure on yourself. If you stay up 24 hours just to cram for that one exam, you're either gonna crash DURING the exam or afterwards and that's just not worth it.. when you obviously could've avoided that if you planned your time wisely (which I know is really hard cause let's just it, we're all procastinators at heart
)Oh and trust me, it's wise to invest in a workout pass for at least a month after all that studying because with all that "energy-high" food comes HIGH CALORIES
And just getting your ass up to workout or play a sport really helps you relieve all that stress you've crammed into yourself just because of some stupid exams that tell you how much you've learned. (or maybe it's all that sweating..so perhaps a sauna would work too!)
Nonetheless, studying is important but of course think about your health too !
Kitchen's a greatly underrated study spot! Not simply easy access to food to keep you trucking through your work but also, when you take a break, you can clean and do dishes. double your productivity!
Caffeine's good but stick to caffeinated teas for usual study nights. leave coffee for finals week so then it really works.
Caffeine's good but stick to caffeinated teas for usual study nights. leave coffee for finals week so then it really works.
DON'T PROCRASTINATE!!!!!!!!! is my biggest advice to you!!!
after
1) Time management
2) Positive attitude
3) Give yourself treats in any form after you get something done
4)PLANNERS ARE A COLLEGE STUDENTS BIBLE!!
5) Turn off the cell when you are studying or at least on silent
6) Be somewhere you feel comfy and won't be distracted
7) If you can't get it take a break and come back to it
8) Check your syllabus every week for the following week
9) Go for walk or pop in a funny movie when your stressed
10) Have a friend test you
11) NOTECARDS RULE!!
12) Get the thins you need to get done before the things you want to get done
13) Stay off of Soompi (lol) and the internet when you have to do homework
14) Remember to breathe, perfection is overated
15) Strive to be your personal best and not the best
16) Mind over body, and attitude over ability!!
after
1) Time management
2) Positive attitude
3) Give yourself treats in any form after you get something done
4)PLANNERS ARE A COLLEGE STUDENTS BIBLE!!
5) Turn off the cell when you are studying or at least on silent
6) Be somewhere you feel comfy and won't be distracted
7) If you can't get it take a break and come back to it
8) Check your syllabus every week for the following week
9) Go for walk or pop in a funny movie when your stressed
10) Have a friend test you
11) NOTECARDS RULE!!
12) Get the thins you need to get done before the things you want to get done
13) Stay off of Soompi (lol) and the internet when you have to do homework
14) Remember to breathe, perfection is overated
15) Strive to be your personal best and not the best
16) Mind over body, and attitude over ability!!
I find I really have trouble absorbing all the crap I read.
Sometimes I'll read the entire chapter and realize, I have NO IDEA what I just read.
Its so frustrating sometimes!
I also find myself focusing on things i *think* are important, but I guess they aren't because, come test time..........
Help please?
Sometimes I'll read the entire chapter and realize, I have NO IDEA what I just read.
Its so frustrating sometimes!
I also find myself focusing on things i *think* are important, but I guess they aren't because, come test time..........
Help please?
1. Don't study near the computer.
Sign OFF from AIM, Facebook, Soompi etc. or you WILL get distracted. CLOSE your labtop if you have to.
2. Don't study with idiot friends who yap yap yap all night
We do NOT go to study groups to meet hot guys etc. yeesh. Study time is exactly that. STUDYING time. Go to the LIBRARY ALONE and STUDY... do not go with a group of friends because many times you will all leave 2 hours later having read only 1 page. Unless your friends are geeks, I suggest going alone to a quiet area. Don't play around and eat food yapping about gossip and whatever.
3. If you study A LOT and still get bad grades??....
- try talking to the professor a week or so before a test and ask what you need to study. If you ask before/after class by yourself ... through email or in person.. they tend to be much nicer - since the class isn't attacking him/her during class you know? Take notes in class unless it's a BS class. Read the textbook and DO NOT LISTEN to other people who say 'nah you don't need to read the textbook." Because they're either genious people who get A's without studying 5 minutes OR they are satisfieled with straight C's =]
OR maybe..??
For me I am a neat freak. I TYPE up all my notes after writing them (chicken scratch) in class. Many times the professors talk fast so you gotta write down the info FAST. Then I go back home/dorm and then rewrite them or type them up and print it out. THIS IS ACTUALLY SMART because you retain the info in your long term memory (80% while listening is 20%) - something along those lines lol.
oh! and the optional review sessions. OMG, amazingly helpful!!! GO GO GO..
Sign OFF from AIM, Facebook, Soompi etc. or you WILL get distracted. CLOSE your labtop if you have to.
2. Don't study with idiot friends who yap yap yap all night
We do NOT go to study groups to meet hot guys etc. yeesh. Study time is exactly that. STUDYING time. Go to the LIBRARY ALONE and STUDY... do not go with a group of friends because many times you will all leave 2 hours later having read only 1 page. Unless your friends are geeks, I suggest going alone to a quiet area. Don't play around and eat food yapping about gossip and whatever.
3. If you study A LOT and still get bad grades??....
- try talking to the professor a week or so before a test and ask what you need to study. If you ask before/after class by yourself ... through email or in person.. they tend to be much nicer - since the class isn't attacking him/her during class you know? Take notes in class unless it's a BS class. Read the textbook and DO NOT LISTEN to other people who say 'nah you don't need to read the textbook." Because they're either genious people who get A's without studying 5 minutes OR they are satisfieled with straight C's =]
OR maybe..??
For me I am a neat freak. I TYPE up all my notes after writing them (chicken scratch) in class. Many times the professors talk fast so you gotta write down the info FAST. Then I go back home/dorm and then rewrite them or type them up and print it out. THIS IS ACTUALLY SMART because you retain the info in your long term memory (80% while listening is 20%) - something along those lines lol.
oh! and the optional review sessions. OMG, amazingly helpful!!! GO GO GO..
I'm surprised that no one posted 'exercise' as something to be helpful when it comes down to studies. Try something simple as stretching or taking heavy in-and-out breathes in between of whatever you might be studying, writing an essay, or reading for.
i find that spending an hour or two a day at the library helps instead of cramming a few days before an exam. for me, i have to go to the library or a quiet room at the faculty.. anywhere as long as my computer is away from me cos that's my biggest distraction (all the nice stuff is in there - internet, music, manga, anime, drama) for some people, cellphones may be their biggest source of distraction so it may be helpful to switch it off when studying.
i find behavioral therapy quite effective as well. i reward myself with an hour of drama when i get home from the library after putting a few hours of effort in my studies. use any reward that would be pleasurable to u eg candy, choc
music is another method but instrumentals or nature sounds, something soothing to the soul, preferably not the hits or any tracks with vocals cos u'll only end up singing along to the song or doing it unconsciously in ur head. i was once told that it's not really recommended during the course of studying itself because u cannot simulate the environment during an exam. good point i think. so i guess music can be used just for relaxation techniques and try not to depend on it that much. another good idea is to use earplugs to block out external noise
the usual advice: study in blocks. 40-45 min per block with a 5-10 min break doing nothing to rest ur eyes & brain or do something totally unrelated to studying. might be a good idea to stretch a bit to get the blood circulating
if u get tired, eat a banana to boost ur serotonin levels (if i'm not mistaken) or something sweet to boost ur sugar levels. a fix of caffeine is not bad actually but DO NOT overdo it otherwise u get the side effects of caffeine so although ur mind is working, ur body is too tired thus the two aren't actually in sync = doesn't work. oh.. caffeine is NOT advisable if u're still growing cos it may cause growth inhibition. also, drink lotsa water.. the average student is usually dehydrated. of course, u then end up peeing more. heh
it also helps if what u read is put into writing. it doesnt matter if u just scribbled and not read it at all later. of course, it would be slower but the act makes what u read stick better in ur head. discussions help to a certain extent, but it's only effective if u actually read up on a topic before the discussion or else u'd just feel inferior & like a leech.
uh.. i think that's all i'm doing rite now.
i find behavioral therapy quite effective as well. i reward myself with an hour of drama when i get home from the library after putting a few hours of effort in my studies. use any reward that would be pleasurable to u eg candy, choc
music is another method but instrumentals or nature sounds, something soothing to the soul, preferably not the hits or any tracks with vocals cos u'll only end up singing along to the song or doing it unconsciously in ur head. i was once told that it's not really recommended during the course of studying itself because u cannot simulate the environment during an exam. good point i think. so i guess music can be used just for relaxation techniques and try not to depend on it that much. another good idea is to use earplugs to block out external noise
the usual advice: study in blocks. 40-45 min per block with a 5-10 min break doing nothing to rest ur eyes & brain or do something totally unrelated to studying. might be a good idea to stretch a bit to get the blood circulating
if u get tired, eat a banana to boost ur serotonin levels (if i'm not mistaken) or something sweet to boost ur sugar levels. a fix of caffeine is not bad actually but DO NOT overdo it otherwise u get the side effects of caffeine so although ur mind is working, ur body is too tired thus the two aren't actually in sync = doesn't work. oh.. caffeine is NOT advisable if u're still growing cos it may cause growth inhibition. also, drink lotsa water.. the average student is usually dehydrated. of course, u then end up peeing more. heh
it also helps if what u read is put into writing. it doesnt matter if u just scribbled and not read it at all later. of course, it would be slower but the act makes what u read stick better in ur head. discussions help to a certain extent, but it's only effective if u actually read up on a topic before the discussion or else u'd just feel inferior & like a leech.
uh.. i think that's all i'm doing rite now.
figure out the chapters you have to read EACH WEEK (usually says on course outline), divide by 5, and read that amount of pages EVERY DAY for EVERY SUBJECT
ex. This semester you're taking 5 courses, and you have to read 5 chapters each week in total, one chapter for each course, each chapter is around 30 pages, 30/5 = 6 pages, you read 6 pages from EACH textbook for each course everyday, by Friday you're done all your readings, you have weekend to do HOMEWORK, if you don't have any, you have the weekend to STUDY, and if you're really a slacker, give yourself the award of CHILLING
this way, you get variation in your reading, when your mind sends signals saying you only have to read 6 pages from this textbook, you tend to read faster than if your sending signals to your brain saying you have to read a chapter or two of the same subject
ex. This semester you're taking 5 courses, and you have to read 5 chapters each week in total, one chapter for each course, each chapter is around 30 pages, 30/5 = 6 pages, you read 6 pages from EACH textbook for each course everyday, by Friday you're done all your readings, you have weekend to do HOMEWORK, if you don't have any, you have the weekend to STUDY, and if you're really a slacker, give yourself the award of CHILLING
this way, you get variation in your reading, when your mind sends signals saying you only have to read 6 pages from this textbook, you tend to read faster than if your sending signals to your brain saying you have to read a chapter or two of the same subject
Yes, I used to read my notes right after the classes, and go to library and study, go through my syllabus and start to read those chapters ahead b4 classes, and when I'm reading jot down important info and if I don't understand them I wrote it down then ask questions in classes, do all my homework then I go watch movies or hang out with my friends or just sleep and eat lol. I was such a good student back then, but lately life has a big change for me, it kind of taking a toll on me. I'm doing really bad in school. I need help which I'm getting one right now, I have such a good helpers, I hope my study won't be hard anymore and I need to go back to my good habit. If not I'm going to fail soon, and my life going to be screw badly hahaha. It's not the end of the world but I don't want to be a college failure. Well, tell u the truth I've learned alot from my failure.
hahah u r so funny.
QUOTE(prokrypt @ Jan 5 2007, 10:55 PM) [snapback]4595634[/snapback]
- Fill your fuel tank before starting to do homework/papers. Stopping midway for food is bad.
- Stock up on food for midnight cramming sessions.
- Eat before going to class. Some professors get jealous at the sight of food being eaten in class and give you bad grades.
- Get a [better] job. More money = more food.
- Eat well before going to sleep. Getting up in the middle of the night for a snack will make you feel tired the next day.
- When you're not busy sleeping, explore and try to discover more sources of cheap/free food. You'll need it.
..... yah..
- Stock up on food for midnight cramming sessions.
- Eat before going to class. Some professors get jealous at the sight of food being eaten in class and give you bad grades.
- Get a [better] job. More money = more food.
- Eat well before going to sleep. Getting up in the middle of the night for a snack will make you feel tired the next day.
- When you're not busy sleeping, explore and try to discover more sources of cheap/free food. You'll need it.
..... yah..
hahah u r so funny.
Second (or third) the food advice! The golden rule to studying is to preview, study, and review. Preview--read the material you're going to go through in class, even if you don't understand it all. What you get out of this is a basic outline of what you'll learn in class that day, and it'll become easier to absorb the information (this is by far the best way I've come across to keep paying attention in class). Study--pretty straightforward. Study study study! Normally, this is the time spent reading your textbook and taking notes after class. For maximum efficiency, study immediately after class to go over your class notes. Review--go over your notes and any important info your professor stressed in lecture. When you're done, you should basically know the material backwards and forwards.
Another important point is to relax before the exam! Don't cram! I know people who've sworn to me that it works for them, but it really doesn't. Here's how memory works: the information that you learn (short-term memory) gets turned into long-term memory when you sleep. Pulling all-nighters is really inefficient, and the best way to prep for an exam is to stay on top of your work and give yourself time to relax now and then.
I hope you get back on track! If you were once a good student, then nothing should prevent you from still being one. Just work hard and keep your goals in mind. And always remember that if you are willing to work for it, only the sky is the limit.
Another important point is to relax before the exam! Don't cram! I know people who've sworn to me that it works for them, but it really doesn't. Here's how memory works: the information that you learn (short-term memory) gets turned into long-term memory when you sleep. Pulling all-nighters is really inefficient, and the best way to prep for an exam is to stay on top of your work and give yourself time to relax now and then.
QUOTE
Yes, I used to read my notes right after the classes, and go to library and study, go through my syllabus and start to read those chapters ahead b4 classes, and when I'm reading jot down important info and if I don't understand them I wrote it down then ask questions in classes, do all my homework then I go watch movies or hang out with my friends or just sleep and eat lol. I was such a good student back then, but lately life has a big change for me, it kind of taking a toll on me. I'm doing really bad in school. I need help which I'm getting one right now, I have such a good helpers, I hope my study won't be hard anymore and I need to go back to my good habit. If not I'm going to fail soon, and my life going to be screw badly hahaha. It's not the end of the world but I don't want to be a college failure. Well, tell u the truth I've learned alot from my failure.
I hope you get back on track! If you were once a good student, then nothing should prevent you from still being one. Just work hard and keep your goals in mind. And always remember that if you are willing to work for it, only the sky is the limit.
my personal experience:
- do not study with other people unless you really need help. or with people who will actually help you stay focused and won't distract you.
- stay away from your laptop/computer! facebook is EVIL.
- take notes during class
- GO TO CLASS
- make sure you are well rested or else you won't be able to focus and the information won't soak into your brain
- don't pull an all nighter before a test, you'll end up being too tired to do well.
- being well rested and well fed = necessary.
- do not study with other people unless you really need help. or with people who will actually help you stay focused and won't distract you.
- stay away from your laptop/computer! facebook is EVIL.
- take notes during class
- GO TO CLASS
- make sure you are well rested or else you won't be able to focus and the information won't soak into your brain
- don't pull an all nighter before a test, you'll end up being too tired to do well.
- being well rested and well fed = necessary.
oh here's my tip...
review within a week before the test and cram 3 hours before the test... it's scientifically proven that your brain can only take in 3 hours worth of straight information... i'm too lazy and start reviewing the night before and 1-2 hours of cramming in the hallway... outside the test room, but i've gotten 89% and up... it's never really failed me, i'm in community college right now... hope it works in uni too ^^;
review within a week before the test and cram 3 hours before the test... it's scientifically proven that your brain can only take in 3 hours worth of straight information... i'm too lazy and start reviewing the night before and 1-2 hours of cramming in the hallway... outside the test room, but i've gotten 89% and up... it's never really failed me, i'm in community college right now... hope it works in uni too ^^;
^ not very good advice..
i don't know about cc since i don't go there but cramming definitely DOESN'T work at my uni..
the amount of work you get in uni is ridiculous so it would be impossible to cram for 3 hours for an exam..especially a cumulative final..
just review your notes right after class for about 15 min. (or more if you can before you have to go to your next class)..and review at night all you learned throughout the day
i don't know about cc since i don't go there but cramming definitely DOESN'T work at my uni..
the amount of work you get in uni is ridiculous so it would be impossible to cram for 3 hours for an exam..especially a cumulative final..
just review your notes right after class for about 15 min. (or more if you can before you have to go to your next class)..and review at night all you learned throughout the day
just saw this sticky. my best advice--although it is very drastic--is to drop your laptop and go without a computer.
my first two years of college weren't so hot... i always procrastinated and missed classes. everyone likes to say how they procrastinate and such, but really, you have no idea what procrastinating really is until you've met philip lee haha. anyways, after sophomore year i got tired of getting owned and made the critical life-changing decision to leave my laptop behind. consequently, my grades skyrocketed and i got provost honors every quarter. the econ department thought i was so ballin that they accepted me as a teaching apprentince at my university. and let me tell you, being an undergraduate TA at a UC is no small feat... ballin!
while deciding whether or not to leave my laptop behind i was fearful that i would be too bored without internet. trust me, it's not bad at all. i ended up procrastinating and browsing car forums at the library rather than at home... what essentially happened was that i wasted 4-5 hours a day rather than 10 lol. as a result, things went north for me
my first two years of college weren't so hot... i always procrastinated and missed classes. everyone likes to say how they procrastinate and such, but really, you have no idea what procrastinating really is until you've met philip lee haha. anyways, after sophomore year i got tired of getting owned and made the critical life-changing decision to leave my laptop behind
. consequently, my grades skyrocketed and i got provost honors every quarter. the econ department thought i was so ballin that they accepted me as a teaching apprentince at my university. and let me tell you, being an undergraduate TA at a UC is no small feat... ballin!while deciding whether or not to leave my laptop behind i was fearful that i would be too bored without internet. trust me, it's not bad at all. i ended up procrastinating and browsing car forums at the library rather than at home... what essentially happened was that i wasted 4-5 hours a day rather than 10 lol. as a result, things went north for me
Cramming right before a test always works for me. o_O Although I don't recommend it, it's just a method I use since I'm such a procrastinator. And like tto.kee stated, your mind does actually store info like that.
Maybe it's just luck of so, but I've done much better than my friends on 4 exams cramming and not studying for hours straight days before. Of course, they've given me the evil eyes and saying it's all luck, but hey, it works for me.
Maybe it's just luck of so, but I've done much better than my friends on 4 exams cramming and not studying for hours straight days before. Of course, they've given me the evil eyes and saying it's all luck, but hey, it works for me.
my habit of studying is...
=slp in the afternun and wake up ard 1am or 2 am to study... best time for me..coz...no noise at all..peace and quiet is what most people need while studying ^^
=then... make small simple notes from txt books or notes given by teacher...i do that coz notes given to me is all b.s explanation which confuses me
=revise a lil b4 u slp and after you wake up. it helps too
=dont listen to music while studying or revising or doin assignments
=dont sit near your pc/lappy becoz it distracts you... unless you need to do research and assignments
=best to revise few days ealier b4 your exam... if its an international exam like 'o' level...revise two weeks ealier!! for 'a' level few months ealier!! trust me!! few months!! one month ealier doesnt help!
=Group studies also help sometimes...if your friends arent annoying and jokers
basically thats what im doing... ... and advise...
study smart everyone
=slp in the afternun and wake up ard 1am or 2 am to study... best time for me..coz...no noise at all..peace and quiet is what most people need while studying ^^
=then... make small simple notes from txt books or notes given by teacher...i do that coz notes given to me is all b.s explanation which confuses me
=revise a lil b4 u slp and after you wake up. it helps too
=dont listen to music while studying or revising or doin assignments
=dont sit near your pc/lappy becoz it distracts you... unless you need to do research and assignments
=best to revise few days ealier b4 your exam... if its an international exam like 'o' level...revise two weeks ealier!! for 'a' level few months ealier!! trust me!! few months!! one month ealier doesnt help!
=Group studies also help sometimes...if your friends arent annoying and jokers
basically thats what im doing... ... and advise...
study smart everyone
1. Go to class.
2. Take good, detailed notes even if your hand starts to cramp.
3. Re-read and in some cases, reorganize or even re-write all your notes until you understand them in a cohesive, continuous manner.
These are the three steps I've followed since high school and it works brilliantly for me. I honestly don't need to do anything else, and I've been doing really well in all of my classes.
2. Take good, detailed notes even if your hand starts to cramp.
3. Re-read and in some cases, reorganize or even re-write all your notes until you understand them in a cohesive, continuous manner.
These are the three steps I've followed since high school and it works brilliantly for me. I honestly don't need to do anything else, and I've been doing really well in all of my classes.
-*doodle on your notes (using pencil) circles, arrows, boxes. I think they're better than highlighters
-*Study loudly. This is what our Chinese teacher always tells us.
-*STAY AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER
-*Never study in a couch/bed or else you'll end up falling asleep
-*Take down notes. If you do this, there's no need to study you're notes every night.
-*Group study doesn't help. Lol. It depends on your study group though,
-*Study loudly. This is what our Chinese teacher always tells us.
-*STAY AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER
-*Never study in a couch/bed or else you'll end up falling asleep
-*Take down notes. If you do this, there's no need to study you're notes every night.
-*Group study doesn't help. Lol. It depends on your study group though,
-find a study place where you are comfortable
-avoid loitering instead, sit down and read a good book
-avoid hanging out peers so much (like every breaktime)
-trust yourself
-read your book/lecture before you go to your class
-listen, don't chat or use your phone
-avoid cutting classes!!
-avoid loitering instead, sit down and read a good book
-avoid hanging out peers so much (like every breaktime)
-trust yourself
-read your book/lecture before you go to your class
-listen, don't chat or use your phone
-avoid cutting classes!!
QUOTE(rockydonnatelli @ Nov 10 2006, 01:38 PM) 
surround yourself in a quiet enviroment
dont have anything around to distract you
these help me, hope it help u
dont have anything around to distract you
these help me, hope it help u
type out your own notes and rephrase them from the lecture notes, it really helps.
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