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What are your best study methods?
I am studying like mad for the LSAT and would love to hear how others have successfully studied for exams, standardized or otherwise. Why do you think that that study method worked so well for you?
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October 28, 2009 02:28 PM
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I have tutored students for over 20 years. I always teach them the method of "Where theres a will theres an A". This by far is one of the most effiecient method that I know of.
Here are the basics:
1. use large index cards
2. On each card write down only one point or idea. Question on front answer on back. The reason for this is because, if you are reading from your notes or text book, even though you are focusing on only one point, your eyes are still seeing all the other words on the page. That is why sometimes you will have question, you know the answer but second guess yourself.
3. Once all the information is on the cards, then you are just going to carry them around and start reading them. Read them as many times as you can. You will find that very soon, you will not have to turn the cards over for the answer, you will remember them.
4. when studying, you should only study for for 20-30 minutes at a time. You will retain more information. To prove this, try this experiment- Have someone call out a bunch of words to you (about 50). Just listen. when they are finished, write down the words you remember they called out. You will find that you will remember the first few and the last few forgetting the ones in the middle.
5. Final step is the simplest. Before your test eat chocolate. I used to give my students a Hershey bar to take to the test and eat right before the test starts. Chocolate will help your brain remember the information that you studied.
I have used this method myself and had a 4.0 for the first time in my life. It takes the struggle out of studying and guarantees retention.
There is one more thing. If you have absolutely no guess on the question-pick "c".
I wish you luck on your test.
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Here are the basics:
1. use large index cards
2. On each card write down only one point or idea. Question on front answer on back. The reason for this is because, if you are reading from your notes or text book, even though you are focusing on only one point, your eyes are still seeing all the other words on the page. That is why sometimes you will have question, you know the answer but second guess yourself.
3. Once all the information is on the cards, then you are just going to carry them around and start reading them. Read them as many times as you can. You will find that very soon, you will not have to turn the cards over for the answer, you will remember them.
4. when studying, you should only study for for 20-30 minutes at a time. You will retain more information. To prove this, try this experiment- Have someone call out a bunch of words to you (about 50). Just listen. when they are finished, write down the words you remember they called out. You will find that you will remember the first few and the last few forgetting the ones in the middle.
5. Final step is the simplest. Before your test eat chocolate. I used to give my students a Hershey bar to take to the test and eat right before the test starts. Chocolate will help your brain remember the information that you studied.
I have used this method myself and had a 4.0 for the first time in my life. It takes the struggle out of studying and guarantees retention.
There is one more thing. If you have absolutely no guess on the question-pick "c".
I wish you luck on your test.
personal experience, was a professional tutor
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October 28, 2009 02:35 AM
http://hubpages.com/hub/best-study-techniques Helpful Answer? (0)
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Effective Study Skills and Techniques
Some power studying tips for college students are listed near the bottom. Enjoy!
No two people study the same way, and there is little doubt that what works for one person may not work for another. However, there are some general techniques that seem to produce good results. No one would argue that every subject that you have to take is going to be so interesting that studying it is not work but pleasure. We can only wish.
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Some power studying tips for college students are listed near the bottom. Enjoy!
No two people study the same way, and there is little doubt that what works for one person may not work for another. However, there are some general techniques that seem to produce good results. No one would argue that every subject that you have to take is going to be so interesting that studying it is not work but pleasure. We can only wish.
http://hubpages.com/hub/best-study-techniques Helpful Answer?
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October 28, 2009 02:42 AM
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I usually just read stuffs over and over again until every word seemed like they're part of me already. Back then in my school days, I used to wake up early in the morning and scan my notes. This method works for me. I'm not the type who really spend plenty of time with my books. I just scan them over and over again... :)
As for you, LSAT is something you must be prepared to. Making a reviewer would help. List down important terms, then on the other side list down small descriptions or keywords that would make you remember that particular term. Whenever we have super big exams, and there are too many terms I have to remember, I usually do this. History especially. Those dates and human names can get confusing at times. This method will help. :)
Good luck for the exam! I'll pray for you! :)
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As for you, LSAT is something you must be prepared to. Making a reviewer would help. List down important terms, then on the other side list down small descriptions or keywords that would make you remember that particular term. Whenever we have super big exams, and there are too many terms I have to remember, I usually do this. History especially. Those dates and human names can get confusing at times. This method will help. :)
Good luck for the exam! I'll pray for you! :)
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October 28, 2009 04:37 AM
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This is just me, but I do a few steps:
1. On the first read, I take notes in a notebook where I write things in my own words, with my own questions and observations. As I read, I mark the actual text with post-its or bookmarks to mark places I think I will need to come back to, because I had more trouble understanding those sections, or there is a lot of vocabulary (I don't memorize terms well, especially if their meaning in that context is different from the common meaning). At this point, you probably know what's hardest for you to maintain. I do this until...
2. About a week before the test (for the LSAT, I would probably take more time) I reread my bookmarked sections, as well as any chapter summaries in the text. I also extensively reread my notes. I focus on that until...
3. A day or two before the test, I focus on my own notes only. I also mark any sections I am still not fully getting. Until...
4. The morning of the test, I cram any of the parts of my own notes I am feeling less sure about.
Basically, I keep on narrowing down the hardest to remember parts until I have absorbed as much as possible. A lot of people think "cramming" is a bad idea, but by the time I do that, I'm down to just a few concepts that need to sit in my short term memory. Everything else should be in my longer term memory by then.
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1. On the first read, I take notes in a notebook where I write things in my own words, with my own questions and observations. As I read, I mark the actual text with post-its or bookmarks to mark places I think I will need to come back to, because I had more trouble understanding those sections, or there is a lot of vocabulary (I don't memorize terms well, especially if their meaning in that context is different from the common meaning). At this point, you probably know what's hardest for you to maintain. I do this until...
2. About a week before the test (for the LSAT, I would probably take more time) I reread my bookmarked sections, as well as any chapter summaries in the text. I also extensively reread my notes. I focus on that until...
3. A day or two before the test, I focus on my own notes only. I also mark any sections I am still not fully getting. Until...
4. The morning of the test, I cram any of the parts of my own notes I am feeling less sure about.
Basically, I keep on narrowing down the hardest to remember parts until I have absorbed as much as possible. A lot of people think "cramming" is a bad idea, but by the time I do that, I'm down to just a few concepts that need to sit in my short term memory. Everything else should be in my longer term memory by then.
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October 28, 2009 09:08 PM
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My best way to study was at the library with an iPod of nature sounds.
At home, there are too many distractions around me, so at the Library (either school or public) I can be left alone.
The nature sounds drowned out any other audio distractions when I'm there and is actually kind of soothing. White noise makes you feel relaxed and helps you slip into a more 'absorbant' frame of mind.
Of course, this was when I was in school which was a few years ago, but the same principle applies. No music, no TV, no friends, just you, your notes, and study aides and some ambient sound and you'll be fine.
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At home, there are too many distractions around me, so at the Library (either school or public) I can be left alone.
The nature sounds drowned out any other audio distractions when I'm there and is actually kind of soothing. White noise makes you feel relaxed and helps you slip into a more 'absorbant' frame of mind.
Of course, this was when I was in school which was a few years ago, but the same principle applies. No music, no TV, no friends, just you, your notes, and study aides and some ambient sound and you'll be fine.
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October 29, 2009 09:14 AM
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Firstly I would say while you are reading close your mind,eyes,brain from outside of your reading table.I mean your eyes should just look at your book, your brain just should think about your study.
Here is some tips to learn something in short time and for more lasting in your memory.
# First read your whole lesson fully with careful eye and mind.Please read in normal speed.You can read in very slow speed where you confuse.
# Reading a lesson fully repeat again it.
# Now close your eyes and think what says the lesson and what you have understood. Now think where is your weakness.
# Read the breakpoints of this lesson again and again, try to get it.If you fail then mark these line with a pencil and show these to your friend and teacher.
# Now look at the questions of this lessons then pickup a your practice notebook and write answer of these in your own words.
# At last review the whole lesson again and observe the there is no unclear matter.Then go to a new lesson.
Thats my favorite method.
Thanks
@safiqulislam
Helpful Answer?
Here is some tips to learn something in short time and for more lasting in your memory.
# First read your whole lesson fully with careful eye and mind.Please read in normal speed.You can read in very slow speed where you confuse.
# Reading a lesson fully repeat again it.
# Now close your eyes and think what says the lesson and what you have understood. Now think where is your weakness.
# Read the breakpoints of this lesson again and again, try to get it.If you fail then mark these line with a pencil and show these to your friend and teacher.
# Now look at the questions of this lessons then pickup a your practice notebook and write answer of these in your own words.
# At last review the whole lesson again and observe the there is no unclear matter.Then go to a new lesson.
Thats my favorite method.
Thanks
@safiqulislam
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October 31, 2009 01:43 AM
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I always need to study in the dark, with one bright light on my desk. It keeps me focused. And if I'm stressed, I'll light a few candles for ambiance.
Then I follow these steps:
1. I write down notes in a notebook covering all the material, organizing it.
2. I read it aloud to myself and then make myself "teach it" to the empty room. I actually will talk outloud as if I'm teaching it or telling a story. If I can do this successfully without checking my notes too much, it's sticking.
3. I make lists to re-enforce all the major points I want to remember.
This tri-fold approach really works my brain to help memorize facts and organize them mentally in a way that will help me draw on them when it's test time.
The dark helps a lot, because when you're in a test situation and you need to recall your studying, creating the same mood or atmosphere as your study time will help with recollection. So just close your eyes, see the darkness, and remember what you were "teaching" the empty room.
I swear by it!
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Then I follow these steps:
1. I write down notes in a notebook covering all the material, organizing it.
2. I read it aloud to myself and then make myself "teach it" to the empty room. I actually will talk outloud as if I'm teaching it or telling a story. If I can do this successfully without checking my notes too much, it's sticking.
3. I make lists to re-enforce all the major points I want to remember.
This tri-fold approach really works my brain to help memorize facts and organize them mentally in a way that will help me draw on them when it's test time.
The dark helps a lot, because when you're in a test situation and you need to recall your studying, creating the same mood or atmosphere as your study time will help with recollection. So just close your eyes, see the darkness, and remember what you were "teaching" the empty room.
I swear by it!
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