active learning techniques

[kaml20]

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I was just wondering how I could better study for this monsterous test. I took it twice already and feel like I need to retake it.

For my first MCAT I slept at the prep class I paid kaplan for because studying for my Cornell classes and partaking in the extra cirriculars drained me of sleep. I didnt feel like I learned anything, and still don't (I was asleep) but I got the books, practice tests, and answers.

For my second MCAT I took the whole summer off and studied at the local college library with the ExamKrackers Comprehensive guide. This book was great, I felt like I learned alot but still didnt do so hot on testing day (which including travel took 13 hours total)

I know I am not a great test taker, which unfortunately means that I must compensate by knowing the information upside down, backwords, and written in wingdings. I try to learn actively but most of the time it doesnt work well because I get used to the technique I use and get myself in barney (barney rubble -> trouble), I need to find a better way to learn.

Id appreciate it if you guys put some ideas down on how to learn actively, this way I (or you) can cycle through the different learning techniques and keep myself mentally awake to master the information. I dont think there will be a lot of techniques but if there are then good for me. Anything else you can add will be dually noted, just remember "fool me you can't get fooled again"

example:
reading out loud



~thanks

 

[Mr. Tee]

When reading the review books, take notes. Write down things you don't know, cannot retain, or are weak areas. Summarize major concepts if you have to.

Study these notes.

Then try to re-write the same notes from scratch, out of the top of your head without looking at the notes. By re-writing notes like this several times, all of the material will be pounded into you. It also helps to pinpoint ideas that you didn't grasp onto so well, and then pound that into you. After a couple of times, you will find yourself being able to rewrite every single note, even the ones you struggled with at the beginning.