Studying

[SuperFerret]

People are going to hate me for this (they usually do), but I need some help with figuring out an efficient way of studying. To put it bluntly, I just don't know how to do it. I've gotten this far through school by being a good test-taker, knowing easy and efficient ways to write papers and absorbing what we go over in the in class lectures. It's worked for me very well, but the slew of classes that I'm taking now (specifically Parasitology) deal primarily with my biggest weakness, memorization.

My memory is my biggest flaw, and even without having an issue with it, I'd rather learn something and know it than memorize something and then regurgitate it come test time.

I really need some ideas on what to do to help me learn this stuff better, I can't afford to repeat this class. Hope someone can help.

 

[chaseter]

I always make rhymes or catchy acronyms to remember crap. For instance, ROY G BIV is the color of the light spectrum.

When I studied for college, I would read the notes over over again until I could recite them word for word. I would then cover up part of the notes and try to remember what it was. Note cards are also effective.

Or, CHEATING!!!

 

[Drakon]

I've found that writing things down helps me. I know it's cheezy, but it works.

 

[[A]]

..but it changes with every person. I can't study while in complete silence. There's always music in the background (some ambient stuff)

 

[SuperFerret]

Rewriting things helps with most things but not everything, and I always feel I reread the notes too fast for it to be any good. I'm going over my old tests and rearranging the questions and testing myself.

 

[ChickenScratch]

Learn to speed read. Nothing like being able to read the chapter you are studying 75 times the night before the exam. Also, take a lot of notes because you'll remember what you write and create mnemonic devices to help you remember.

I can't stress learning to speed read enough though. You can burn through you study material a couple more times before entering the exam room.

 

[AlteredEgo]

i'd suggest finding some people to study with.

 

[SuperFerret]

I've gotten into study groups before, but the combination of not being able to work out a schedule and that it's difficult for me to get around out here makes it not a common occurrence.

 

[AlteredEgo]

I've gotten into study groups before, but the combination of not being able to work out a schedule and that it's difficult for me to get around out here makes it not a common occurrence.

No room-mate or anything? it doesn't necessarily have to be a group. I find that even just speaking facts out loud help me remember things better.

 

[SuperFerret]

No, I live alone, though I have used the reading things out loud method, usually recording it and then listening to it while I go over my notes. Coincidently, I have begun to hate the sound of my own voice.

 

[chaseter]

Kill another Highlander to gain all his knowledge.

 

[ChickenScratch]

Study groups never worked for me, many of them are just lazy and looking for someone to carry them. You would not believe how many phone calls I used to get the night before an exam with my college study group.

 

[chaseter]

You wouldn't believe how hard it is to cut off another Highlander's head.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

Kill another Highlander to gain all his knowledge.

This is the most logical method.

It's how I passed my GCSEs

 

[Majic Walrus]

I know your pain dude. I rode through High School and College never really studying at all because I have a good memory and I'm a good test taker.

 

[SuperFerret]

I know your pain dude. I rode through High School and College never really studying at all because I have a good memory and I'm a good test taker.

Yeah, and now that I'm hit with classes that require it, I sat down to study and quickly realized that I had no clue how to.

 

[Majic Walrus]

I had the same problems in some of my classes. Try recording a lecture and listening to it over and over again if that doesn't work... cheat.

 

[Super_Ludacris]

Study groups help.

Working in a group where your talking about the stuff with your peers helps your remember and understand things better and keeps it intersting rather than regurgitating the notes from memory.

Obviously take notes too, but I think sitting down in a group and learning the stuff that way helps. Worked for me. But to each is own.

 

[NotAHenchwench]

If it's book chapters, I make outlines of the chapters outlining the main points and then from that I highlight and reduce the info.

If it's something you gotta memorize, write that crap down and trace over it. Over, and over. Or, use flash cards. But, I generally just write things down [especially if I have to memorize a text or something. Pain in the bum, but it's gotta be done].

I also take breaks every 45 minutes. It helps me retain and it keeps my impatience at bay.

 

[Downhere]

I usually read the chapter and then the notes that were given in class. This usually works most of the time. You hit the main points again when you review the notes after reading the chapter.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

People are going to hate me for this (they usually do), but I need some help with figuring out an efficient way of studying. To put it bluntly, I just don't know how to do it. I've gotten this far through school by being a good test-taker, knowing easy and efficient ways to write papers and absorbing what we go over in the in class lectures. It's worked for me very well, but the slew of classes that I'm taking now (specifically Parasitology) deal primarily with my biggest weakness, memorization.

My memory is my biggest flaw, and even without having an issue with it, I'd rather learn something and know it than memorize something and then regurgitate it come test time.

I really need some ideas on what to do to help me learn this stuff better, I can't afford to repeat this class. Hope someone can help.

I'm the exact opposite. I suck at taking tests but can memorize anything if given enough time. You just gotta figure out what works for you. Some people write and rewrite their notes to get it to sink in. People like myself just have to keep seeing it/rereading it.

Parasitology was a fun class, but def one of the most cram-heavy courses I've taken. All those life cycles, ugh.

 

[Prison Mike]

I've found that writing things down helps me. I know it's cheezy, but it works.

I do this method and it hasn't failed me yet!

 

[Silicon Surfer]

Try this. First scan the chapter as a whole without trying to pay attention to anything in particular. Don't let your mind linger on anything even for an instant. Just try to grasp the big picture. Then go back and read only the first sentence in each paragraph. As you read it try to derive the meaning of the whole paragraph from that one sentence. But again don't linger. Then go back and read the chapter normally. It will probably take more than one repetition of this on different days to learn it well.

 

[Halloween]

Just copy off of a smart nerd.

 

[Kane52630]

as a procrastinator since the begining, i can say that i never really truly studied in my life, i might take a glance at it but thats it.
however in college its now backwards, now i have to study