How do you study?

[dramasnot6]

Having just finished my Senior midyear exams, I now have a better understanding of how diverse study habits can be.
There seem to be a lot of studious,intellegent people on litnet taking a wide range of subjects. I'm interested in knowing how everyone here studies, any pointers/stories?
Do you cram or consistently look over material weeks/months before? Are you like me and get the study munchies? How do you de-stress? Do you hire tutors or work in study groups,getting your friends to quiz you? Or do you work better alone? Do you make your own notes or zoom through textbooks?

[nps_marina]

i consistently cram over material weeks/months before the exam, trying to have my definitive notes ready for the weeks immediately before the exam- that way, there will be fewer doubts to assault me and make me 'waste my time'.

I always go up to the library to study with my friends- though we don't study 'together', as in talking or anything, it helps to have someone near who is working out the same business as you are.

I also make summarys of the subject i might be studying, and lists of 'things to memorize', which I know I will forget immediately after the exam, so I study only immediately before.

We also usually have previous years' exams, so that way we can more or less guess what will be asked, or how to study for the upcoming thing.

Anyway, hope it helped.

[Virgil]

Great thread drama. It's been a while since I was in school, but I crammed. There was always too much to do on a regular basis to keep reviewing older stuff. When exam time came, then I would go back. Hopefully i took good notes and retained previous material. Group studies as Marina points out were helpfull when available.

[kratsayra]

I'm in graduate school for literature, so it has been quite a while since I've had to study for an actual test - mostly I just write papers.

I'm always more comfortable working alone, but that's just me. I know there is a lot to be gained from studying with other people - and I have done it from time to time. But I do prefer studying by myself. And I ate so much junk food in college while studying!! :lol:

I did cram quite a bit in college. And I'm still a bit of a procrastinator when I have to write papers. I no longer leave myself one night to do all the work, but I do usually only have two or three days.

The most important thing that I've learned about studying is to make sure you have time to relax also. Taking breaks is so important and getting too stressed out is never helpful. :)

[Behemoth]

I tend to work over a longer period of time than most people; I find starting early so that you can go over material two or three times before the exam helpful. It's also a good way of re-reading material and getting to know it properly before you're tested on it (particularly literature). At the same time, last-minute cramming is good in the sense that it remains clear in your mind, and it's often something that, at least in my experience, appears in the exam! I think a mixture of long and short-term study is probably a good idea, but everyone works at their own pace.

[Pensive]

I usually study alone. Mostly read from course book, but sometimes from other books, the topic I am given. The things which I don't understand I ask from the teacher or discuss them with other fellow students. I mostly make my own notes but when the syllabous is very much, and I don't get the time to make my own notes, I just study from the text-books because I am quite good when it comes to remembering what I have read for school. For me, the notes don't make much of a difference. But still as a caution measure, I write them at times.

[ewilson]

I'm always more comfortable working alone, but that's just me. I know there is a lot to be gained from studying with other people - and I have done it from time to time. But I do prefer studying by myself.

I did cram quite a bit in college. And I'm still a bit of a procrastinator when I have to write papers. I no longer leave myself one night to do all the work, but I do usually only have two or three days.

The most important thing that I've learned about studying is to make sure you have time to relax also. Taking breaks is so important and getting too stressed out is never helpful. :)

I say "ditto" to kratsayra's post. I am not in school right now, but when I was it was my style to study alone. While study groups can be helpful, the downside is that too often they lose focus (at least some I attended). I also found that not all in the group was prepared to contribute equally. So I tended to go it alone.

And, I am the procrastinator type -- though I study and read all along I generally wait until the last minute to study for exams and/or write papers. It's a personal style and it has worked for me. Have always been top in my classes.

And, unfortunately, I did snack tooooo much and gained tooooo much weight!

Kratsayra's so right about taking time out to relax and de-stress. It does make a huge difference.

[applepie]

I normally don't study. It makes me forget the information I already have retained. I am the kind of person who either knows something or doesn't. If I didn't get it the first go around that I don't learn it from hours of cramming for the test. I'm lucky in some ways, but it also means I have the worlds worst study skills:)

[symphony]

Well, as for me, i'm a reluctant student and one of what u may call the 'idlers'. But yes I do take notes in my class, my studying capacity is actually entirely lecture-based, what i learn in class i retain. But once i'm home, i rarely tend to touch the book. Oh and textbooks repel me, so my preparation for the exams mostly depend on those notes i take. I prefer groupworks too, friends are always a help when need be. Another good thing about groupwork is- whatever question arises in me, i can ask right away, no chance of forgetting or skipping that confusion.

[dramasnot6]

I agree Symphony,at least in a group you can find an answer together, where as by yourself you have to run around looking for it alone.
I always found that I work best when my main,primary studying was by myself in which I learned all the essential info. Then, after knowing most of the material as best as I can, I like to group study to discuss it and get different interpretations. Plus misery does love it's company :p

[Virgil]

I agree Symphony,at least in a group you can find an answer together, where as by yourself you have to run around looking for it alone.
I always found that I work best when my main,primary studying was by myself in which I learned all the essential info. Then, after knowing most of the material as best as I can, I like to group study to discuss it and get different interpretations. Plus misery does love it's company :p

I would agree with that whole heartedly drama. First one needs to learn as much by oneself as possible, and then the group discussion will reinforce what you've learned and perhaps fine tune any nuance and perhaps learn that one or two things you needed help with. It also depends on the class. English classes I would work best alone; science classes worked best in study groups.

[Video Drone]

I only study alone, I have really bad communication skills, and going to somebody else's house or staying after school is a problem...

I also find myself quite hardworking in school, and extremely lazy at home. I have no idea why is this. If a teacher gives us a research paper to do, I do it the last 3 days because I know that I can do it in that time. And I work a lot better in front of my deadline than just of the head. But I always pull out the school year up to an A. All Honors next year, woot!

Speaking of exams, all I do is just collect all notes, worksheets, printouts, anything that can even remotely be useful. Then I study the last 2-3 days. It also helps to have a textbook on the subject, unless it is math or English, then they are useless. Our history teacher has been very annoying. She is following a particular book. But we don't have that book, we just take notes on whatever she is saying. But then we take a test, and she puts questions from the book (which we don't have), which she didn't mention to us... so, I ended up buying that book from Amazon. My grades improved tremendously.

[Annamariah]

I also find myself quite hardworking in school, and extremely lazy at home. I have no idea why is this. If a teacher gives us a research paper to do, I do it the last 3 days because I know that I can do it in that time. And I work a lot better in front of my deadline than just of the head. But I always pull out the school year up to an A. All Honors next year, woot!
That sounds like me. I've always had top grades, but I haven't worked so much at home. I've always returned my essays and papers on time, but I've usually written them only day or two before deadline, 'cause I find it hard to concentrate otherwise. Matriculation examinations were the only time I read to exams for more than just a couple of days before.

[dramasnot6]

Interesting that so many people work best last minute, why do you think that is? The pressure?

[Annamariah]

Interesting that so many people work best last minute, why do you think that is? The pressure?

Probably. It's easier to concentrate on something when you know you HAVE to do it. If I know I'll have enough time to do some work later, I'll probably do it later and do something I like better before it.

[dramasnot6]

I wish I could do that. I'm a complete perfectionist and have to draft and re-draft and edit every essay I write. When it comes to test I cram quite a bit last minute,I'll admit to being unprepared very often for math tests :p

[ktd222]

I go over my notes from class identifying which sections I have trouble understanding. Then I just focus on trying to understand those specific sections. I can't continually review...there would be not time for lit-netting

[Annamariah]

I wish I could do that. I'm a complete perfectionist and have to draft and re-draft and edit every essay I write.

That's also one reason why I write my essays when I don't have too much time left before the deadline. If I do, I'll read my text all over again several times and make much changes, and usually not for the better... It's best if I'll have time to make only minor alterations :D

[Madhuri]

When I was a student, I initially would study alone at home. But, studying all by myself was not a problem, the only issue was studying alone in an empty house. My parents would leave for office in the morning, and my studies would also start off properly, but, by afternoon, my situation was such that I could not study any topic. Basically, I would become nervous, alone and thinking about what is left, and if at all I will be able to finish my course in time, and I will become so tensed (sp?).

So, I thought of a way, I would go to the college library, and would study there. My situation improved, because, then I would see so many people in the same situation as me, that I felt I am not the only one worried about the exams.

I was a regular student in my class, and fortunately I would get most of the subjects that were taught, except the maths based :rolleyes:. I used to take notes. And then in some cases I would write my own notes, as in, I would read a topic, understand it thoroughly and the recall what my teacher taught, and based on all this I will make my own notes. I would usually reference it, since I wrote it myself, I was not in so much of a need to memorise things. Understanding any topic, instead of cramming was easier for me. We had to reference a lot of books for every subject so studying all at the last moment was not feasible. Besides, studying in the college library has it's plus point, there are always teachers around, I always needed help for maths based subjects, and I would sit with them and clarify my doubts, my teachers were very helpful.

I would stick to my syllabus, and would also solve previous years papers. For subjects that were difficult, like Discreet Mathematics, Statistics, etc. I would do selective studying. My studying usually went on for the whole semester. I was very boring, eating, sleeping, and dreaming books and exams :rolleyes: :lol:

[kilted exile]

I only used study groups at college (at high school I didnt study at all, and only ever did one draft of anything). The study group consisted of the same people for every subject. We each had our own areas of knowledge where we were better than the others (mine was fluid mechanics - I love bernoullis equation, however geology & solid waste management were more of a problem).

Each of us took turns to act as the tutor when they knew most about the subject, it reinforced their knowledge and made it easier for the rest of us to understand. You just need to make sure you find a diverse group.

As far as note-taking during classes went, I never take notes. I find I remembered things much better just focusing on the lecturor rather than trying to scribble down the points being made.

[Annamariah]

As far as note-taking during classes went, I never take notes. I find I remembered things much better just focusing on the lecturor rather than trying to scribble down the points being made.
I agree. Usually if I try to write down something the teacher says, I miss whatever they're saying next. It's difficult to write and listen at the same time.

[kratsayra]

That's also one reason why I write my essays when I don't have too much time left before the deadline. If I do, I'll read my text all over again several times and make much changes, and usually not for the better... It's best if I'll have time to make only minor alterations :D

Yes - I had to train myself to stop drafting excessively - it just takes up too much time. In college I could not write a paper unless I first wrote a junk version of it so that I could get all of my ideas out. And then I'd end up re-writing the whole thing. That was no longer feasible once I had to write multiple 20 page papers at the end of every semester in graduate school (oh, I'm so happy I'm finally done with coursework!). Anyway, I had to make sure that I figured out what I was saying first so that I could try to write a decent version from the outset. Although I do still rely on writing a junk version or at least starting one if I am really stuck.

[AC_fan]

I don't like to write down what I'm studying. Usually I just read chapers that I have to study and I'll talk about it, devoloping each topic. I work better alone, althought, sometimes, I work with my friends.

[Annamariah]

Yes - I had to train myself to stop drafting excessively - it just takes up too much time. In college I could not write a paper unless I first wrote a junk version of it so that I could get all of my ideas out. And then I'd end up re-writing the whole thing. That was no longer feasible once I had to write multiple 20 page papers at the end of every semester in graduate school (oh, I'm so happy I'm finally done with coursework!). Anyway, I had to make sure that I figured out what I was saying first so that I could try to write a decent version from the outset. Although I do still rely on writing a junk version or at least starting one if I am really stuck.

I've never been one to make junk versions. Teachers always recommend making mind maps or short notes before writing the actual text, but for some reason I can't do that. The thing kind of forms in my head while I'm writing. I usually write everything with computer so it's easy to make alterations, but even if I'm writing by hand, I'll just write and that's it. Sometimes I can use an hour or so just thinking about the subject, then I come up with a way to start and write the first chapter. Then I'll pause, write a bit more every once in a while and so on. At the beginning I might not have any idea what I'm going to write next, but somehow the the text just comes from somewhere in my mind :D

[dramasnot6]

I like doing thorough outlines, but junk essays with crazy syntax and seemingly convoluted ideas drive me crazy to edit. Instead i prefer laying out my ideas in outline or hierarchal form(like a structured brainstorm) and writing a proper essay from that.

[Nossa]

I've always studied alone...the only times when I study in groups, is when we do a brainstorming session together..and we exchange ideas..but that's about it...we each study alone and make our own notes, essays and outlines for the subjects.
I had tutors in high school, cuz this is what you normaly do here in Egypt in high school years, but I'm on my own since day one in university..and I get high grades, so I never really needed anyone so far.
I don't usually focus when working in groups, or when someone is studying next to me in the same room. Amazingly enough, I normaly turn on the TV, radio or CD player when I'm studying, and THAT helps me concentrate :lol:

[dramasnot6]

Noise helps a lot of people concentrate. I like to listen to music when just doing homework, but when seriously cramming I usually need a quiet place. Our principal told us that it is ok to listen to music while studying as long as you dont find yourself hummming or singing to it,because that indicates your mind is somewhere else and not completely on your work.

[Annamariah]

Noise helps a lot of people concentrate. I like to listen to music when just doing homework, but when seriously cramming I usually need a quiet place. Our principal told us that it is ok to listen to music while studying as long as you dont find yourself hummming or singing to it,because that indicates your mind is somewhere else and not completely on your work.

That's why I don't listen to music that has lyrics while I'm studying :D Since studying in absolute silence isn't nice, I usually listen to some classical music while I'm writing essays. (Though I must admit I often find myself humming the melody anyway...)

[aabbcc]

Simple - I do not study. I heavily dislike the idea of violently forcing the ideas and concepts inside of me, so I never intentionally sit down to study. I am a weird learner, studying things the typical linear way, in order, does not function for me, and brings to me nothing but depths of despair, even confusion at times.

I study by thinking. The ideas, the concepts I encounter must be played with and pondered upon inside of me. Not discussed with other people prior to the moment I begin to form relation to them, before they settle inside of me; I must think about them before being able to utter them, before being able to present them in any form. A lot of that thinking is irrational, without words, a lot of that is simply letting things settle, letting the back of the mind do its job, but I do always feel much better after a while. Having encountered a strong idea, I cannot, in any way, discuss it at least for the following couple of days. I must first allow it to settle.

Ideas studied at school, likewise. They need to settle, at their own peace, and find their place in my overall system, rather than to be violently studied and pushed. I have found that for me works the best to let them alone.

I have got amazing concentration, but given my very specific, reflective way of studying, I must be left alone in the class, and left out of most of discussions. Simple presence in the class is enough for me to understand, and memorise, new things studied. So I just let them form themselves in me.

I do not use textbooks. Half of them I do not even know. When I wish to study, I just lie on the bed and think, concentrate hardly on emotions provoked in me by certain materia, on ideas themselves, on how they developed in me throughout the course. I often remember the entire classes in fast motion, and I can often that way find the very specific piece of information I seek for. I never open book to find that information before I first search it deeply inside of myself. That way I reinforce memory, as well as my own way of studying.
A lot of time those meditative-like states in which I "study" take all the strenght from me, but they are the most effective thing I have found so far to study.

It works. It might sound utterly weird, but it works. I have got excellent grades without typical, linear studying. When I wish to recall something, I just close my eyes, relax, and deeply concentrate. It never fails me.
The same way I write tests. I skim/speed-read the entire test, then just close my eyes and recollect memories, emotions, anything I associate with that materia. I allow them to just blow, come quickly, and settle, and only then I begin to write - without thinking, I am just taken entirely by that writing, in half-dreamy state. In those moments I must not think, just let things happen, and believe that what I am writing will be excellent.

When I wish to inform myself of something, I do not go for encyclopaedia - linear thinking does not work for me; I must get snippets of it in various forms and interpretations, and then form my own big picture.

[dramasnot6]

Wow...I wish i could do that...*in awe of Anastasija's miracle study skills*