How do I become the Silent Curve Destroyer?

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SavoirFaire said:
1. Adderall works wonders.

2. Most people actually study a lot. The people you are referring to who appear to not study...they do study. As for people who talk about how much they 'didn't study for that test on Monday', these people are losers who lie because they think it makes them look cool. Deep down they know they are losers.

Some people put in more time than others but believe me you will be putting in the time just like everyone else if you want a 3.7 GPA or higher. There is a correlation between the number of hours students spend each week studying and GPA. Read the textbook for understanding (at least once), do the work that is assigned to you, pay attention in class, do practice problems (if applicable), study your notes. Sleep well, eat well, exercise. I think 3-4 hours a day of total studying is sufficient. It was for me anyway.
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Said like someone who is not one of those people. You need to realize the fact that such people really do exist and the fact is you have to work harder. They have strengths. You have strengths. They needn't be the same, but it's rude, ignorant, and very classless of you to go around calling people who have talents you don't liars and losers.

OP, focus on your own work. Work hard. Don't get distracted by others. The people setting the curve really don't care about you. They are NOT trying to set the curve. They just do so. Work hard. You'll get further if you work harder.
 
kinda depressing that they're on a totally different level, but ok i'll just worry about myself and try to do my best
 
You can't become a silent curve destroyer, if you are not one already.

You are either born with it or you're not, no point in trying.
 
sc4s2cg said:
I used to do this.

But this semester I changed up my studying habits: even if the Professor puts slides up, I will not print them. Instead, I copy down the "important" stuff and supplement with whatever they were talking about.

Why? 'cause this way I'm not just mindlessly writing down what they say (tend to zone out without realizing, and writing down whenever I hear some key word, inflection, etc.). Another plus is that this way I am thinking about the material at least 3 times before the exam: during class, when I try to figure out how to organize slides and the lecture on my paper; when I read the textbook, which is when I compare notes to text; and when I review before the exam.

Worked out so far. Nothing less than a 90 so far. Although I have my doubts.
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Woah, I never said anything about printing! That's a total waste of paper and I laugh at all the people who do this.
I don't write notes because I want to get the bigger perspective of what my professor (assuming he is good a teaching) has to say. When I get home, I would just read the slides from the powerpoints a couple times and I'm all good.
 
music2doc said:
Said like someone who is not one of those people. You need to realize the fact that such people really do exist and the fact is you have to work harder. They have strengths. You have strengths. They needn't be the same, but it's rude, ignorant, and very classless of you to go around calling people who have talents you don't liars and losers.
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No, most of those people don't exist. There are a very, very small handful who don't study at all and do very well on exams. Some people look like they don't study much because they (a. never study around other people (b. don't "look the type" (c. don't have to study as much as others.
 
Don't worry about what other people do. If you want to study more efficiently, do as these posts have said. I recommend being more efficient too, it'll give you free time to do fun things. Don't worry about the curve destroyers because if you're getting A's you're doing just fine.
 
TheProwler said:
No, most of those people don't exist. There are a very, very small handful who don't study at all and do very well on exams. Some people look like they don't study much because they (a. never study around other people (b. don't "look the type" (c. don't have to study as much as others.
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This is stupid to argue. I dislike using myself as an example as it can easily come off wrong, but I generally don't study more than about 1 hour per week (in total across my entire course load) outside of going to class and completing required problem sets or labs. I consistently ace exams and have set the curve in most of the college courses I have taken (in multiple disciplines). So, sure, it may be rare, but such people do exist. For me, studying is largely unnecessary beyond simply going to class. My experience has been that science is more of a critical thinking game than memorization. It is a puzzle, nothing more. Once you discover the key to one type of process, it often can be used in many similar processes.
 
music2doc said:
This is stupid to argue. I dislike using myself as an example as it can easily come off wrong, but I generally don't study more than about 1 hour per week (in total across my entire course load) outside of going to class and completing required problem sets or labs. I consistently ace exams and have set the curve in most of the college courses I have taken (in multiple disciplines). So, sure, it may be rare, but such people do exist. For me, studying is largely unnecessary beyond simply going to class. My experience has been that science is more of a critical thinking game than memorization. It is a puzzle, nothing more. Once you discover the key to one type of process, it often can be used in many similar processes.
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Don't worry, we all knew you were talking about yourself.
 
music2doc said:
This is stupid to argue. I dislike using myself as an example as it can easily come off wrong, but I generally don't study more than about 1 hour per week (in total across my entire course load) outside of going to class and completing required problem sets or labs. I consistently ace exams and have set the curve in most of the college courses I have taken (in multiple disciplines). So, sure, it may be rare, but such people do exist. For me, studying is largely unnecessary beyond simply going to class. My experience has been that science is more of a critical thinking game than memorization. It is a puzzle, nothing more. Once you discover the key to one type of process, it often can be used in many similar processes.
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So I'm guessing you go to community college or a school on par with CC difficulty
 
Rednawz said:
So I'm guessing you go to community college or a school on par with CC difficulty
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Umm... no. Did my UG at a ranked LAC and my post-bacc at a well-known state school.

I simply get annoyed when people assume that top person must be gunning or something. My experience has been that the top students are often NOT gunners.
 
Rednawz said:
So I'm guessing you go to community college or a school on par with CC difficulty
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While i assume the quoted poster is exaggerating when he says he only spends an hour studying, you don't really have to spend hours on end reading to do well. If you are, you're clearly doing something wrong.
 
Work problems and want it. Plain and simple. Instead of trying to write down every word out of the teachers mouth, read your book, work problems, do the self tests, buy the solutions manual, read/study every day. You will do well and realize that lecture is a joke. You will also start to actually understand the material and how it all relates. You do not need to memorize every single thing, just know the concepts and learn critical thinking.
 
It's all about motivation. That, and everyone is different; we all have our unique ways of studying.

Stop looking at others and focus on yourself. If what you're doing isn't working, THEN look to others.

🙂
 
music2doc said:
This is stupid to argue. I dislike using myself as an example as it can easily come off wrong, but I generally don't study more than about 1 hour per week (in total across my entire course load) outside of going to class and completing required problem sets or labs. I consistently ace exams and have set the curve in most of the college courses I have taken (in multiple disciplines). So, sure, it may be rare, but such people do exist. For me, studying is largely unnecessary beyond simply going to class. My experience has been that science is more of a critical thinking game than memorization. It is a puzzle, nothing more. Once you discover the key to one type of process, it often can be used in many similar processes.
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Just FYI, you sound like a cocky a-hole. You will get a ripped a new one in medical school if you go in with this kind of attitude. Medicine is not like engineering/mathematics where you can intuitively grasp the concepts. No one is born with intuition about arbitrary anatomy names. I dare you to try and use that arrogant "its a puzzle nothing more" attitude on the majority medical school exams. (pro tip: you will get raped as they are largely memorization with little application until 3rd year)
 
MedTG said:
Work problems and want it. Plain and simple. Instead of trying to write down every word out of the teachers mouth, read your book, work problems, do the self tests, buy the solutions manual, read/study every day. You will do well and realize that lecture is a joke. You will also start to actually understand the material and how it all relates. You do not need to memorize every single thing, just know the concepts and learn critical thinking.
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I think this is the keyword here. That and efficiency.

Lately, I haven't been too motivated to study but this thread really has some good advice.
 
Neurosis said:
While i assume the quoted poster is exaggerating when he says he only spends an hour studying, you don't really have to spend hours on end reading to do well. If you are, you're clearly doing something wrong.
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Why does everyone assume he's lying? Some people don't study, period, except right before a test. If it's an exam week, they might only have a few hours to do their 'non-problem-set' studying.
Not everyone actually does the textbook reading, beyond referencing back when they get stuck during problem sets.

Of course, doing well on tests =/= doing well in the course, especially if it has a lot of projects, lab reports, papers, etc...nor does it imply long term retention. So, yeah, as someone who can generally do well on a test despite never having done any reading for the class, I'd say that my grasp of the material a few years down the line is suffering for it. There's definitely a trade-off; natural intuition paired with decent recall might get you through a test when you've absorbed all of the material through lecture recently, and when you crammed for the past 3-4 hours...but it doesn't do the work of cementing it in long term quite as well. Some people might not have that problem, I don't know. I certainly do.

Personally, you can look at my transcript and see which courses relied mainly on testing and which ones required you to put the work in and manage your time. I'm very good at one, not so much at the other. Would I trade? Nah...I'm in the process of training myself to have good study habits, and I feel that I can end up with both. I don't think that I would feel as capable of training the other way, though.

I guess what I'd say is that, while some people can just 'get' it, the habits you develop, while more time consuming, are probably more valuable in the long run, especially in med school. Your grades are fine and you're still looking to improve; I think you'll be OK 😉
 
CodeBlu said:
limitless-2011-450x300.jpg
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That's hilarious!
 
mehc012 said:
Why does everyone assume he's lying? Some people don't study, period, except right before a test. If it's an exam week, they might only have a few hours to do their 'non-problem-set' studying.
Not everyone actually does the textbook reading, beyond referencing back when they get stuck during problem sets.

Of course, doing well on tests =/= doing well in the course, especially if it has a lot of projects, lab reports, papers, etc...nor does it imply long term retention. So, yeah, as someone who can generally do well on a test despite never having done any reading for the class, I'd say that my grasp of the material a few years down the line is suffering for it. There's definitely a trade-off; natural intuition paired with decent recall might get you through a test when you've absorbed all of the material through lecture recently, and when you crammed for the past 3-4 hours...but it doesn't do the work of cementing it in long term quite as well. Some people might not have that problem, I don't know. I certainly do.

Personally, you can look at my transcript and see which courses relied mainly on testing and which ones required you to put the work in and manage your time. I'm very good at one, not so much at the other. Would I trade? Nah...I'm in the process of training myself to have good study habits, and I feel that I can end up with both. I don't think that I would feel as capable of training the other way, though.

I guess what I'd say is that, while some people can just 'get' it, the habits you develop, while more time consuming, are probably more valuable in the long run, especially in med school. Your grades are fine and you're still looking to improve; I think you'll be OK 😉
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I was that way as an undergrad, as were quite a few of my peers. It definitely changes in med school and almost everyone has to study quite a bit. Still, there are the lucky few who remain in the "I don't study...much" club and manage to set the curve. I wish I could say I was one of them!
 
sinombre said:
Lol... I like that no one noticed this thread is a year and a half old.
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:shrug: Apparently people still have stuff to say, so why not? Saves us having a brand new thread on the topic started tomorrow.
 
mehc012 said:
:shrug: Apparently people still have stuff to say, so why not? Saves us having a brand new thread on the topic started tomorrow.
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Yeah, I don't see anything wrong with it. I just find it comical when users don't acknowledge they're posting in an old thread, because more times than not it means they think they're responding to recent comments/questions.
 
Even if is an old thread. I don't understand why people worry about this, just don't say how you do in the exams. I usually tell people I do above average and that's it.
 
What is this word "study" you all keep referring to? You mean you guys dont just show up on test day and know all the answers? Weird.
 
This is where you have to be careful. People have various talents and the reason why they do so well in their studies is because they maximize their talents. If they are auditory learners and you are not, then you will be using techniques that work extremely well for them but horrible for you.

There was an article on SDN about the style of learner one is and a short test you can take to figure out your learning style. It will show whether you are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner. Although there is not much information on how you should study but if you check the web you will find what study techniques work best for your "style of learning." For example, if you are kinesthetic, then walking while looking at your notes helps or reorganizing notes into tables or graphs help. If you are visual, then you can make small pictures on the side of your notes to get a visual memory of what you read.

Remember that everyone has their talents and you should make sure what are yours first before looking at how everyone else studies.

EDIT: Got the link to the SDN article - Stress in Medical Education

EDIT 2: Dang it Tekkers you trolled me!
 
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IslandStyle808 said:
This is where you have to be careful. People have various talents and the reason why they do so well in their studies is because they maximize their talents. If they are auditory learners and you are not, then you will using a techniques that work extremely well for them but horrible for you.

There was an article on SDN about the style of learner one is and a short test you can take. It will show whether you are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner. Although there is not much information on how you should study but if you check the web you will find what study techniques work best for your "style of learning." For example, if you are kinesthetic, then walking while looking at your notes helps or reorganizing notes into tables or graphs help. If you are visual, then you can make small pictures on the side of your notes to get a visual memory of what you read.

Remember that everyone has their talents and you should make sure what are yours first before looking at how everyone else studies.

EDIT: Got the link to the SDN article - Stress in Medical Education
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This is a good point.


I would add, "And before disparaging or mocking others' responses." People differ in their strengths. Capitalize on your own.
 
IslandStyle808 said:
This is where you have to be careful. People have various talents and the reason why they do so well in their studies is because they maximize their talents. If they are auditory learners and you are not, then you will be using techniques that work extremely well for them but horrible for you.

There was an article on SDN about the style of learner one is and a short test you can take to figure out your learning style. It will show whether you are visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner. Although there is not much information on how you should study but if you check the web you will find what study techniques work best for your "style of learning." For example, if you are kinesthetic, then walking while looking at your notes helps or reorganizing notes into tables or graphs help. If you are visual, then you can make small pictures on the side of your notes to get a visual memory of what you read.

Remember that everyone has their talents and you should make sure what are yours first before looking at how everyone else studies.

EDIT: Got the link to the SDN article - Stress in Medical Education

EDIT 2: Dang it Tekkers you trolled me!
Click to expand...

Ha! I just thought this was a good thread because I was searching for some study habits I could use. Thanks for the link though.
 
ss123 said:
I feel clumsy and inefficient. I make a big deal out of studying for just basic biology and chemistry. I carry around a whole ton of books and highlighters and pens and pencils like I'm some kind of superhero at studying. I've got this huge schedule and plan out stupid crap like I'm the CEO of Goldman Sachs.

But then I meet guys who take several upper-level chemistry classes a semester, make a 4.0, and don't say a word about it. I meet guys in the back of the lecture hall who don't write down squat and make perfect scores on the exams. Meanwhile, I'm in the front row trying to copy down every word I hear in 7 different colors, like some silly 8th grade nerd. I meet guys in the library who only carry around a 20 cent notebook and a #2 pencil, but can legitimately focus on their biochem textbooks for several hours straight.

How do I get into this ice-cold mentality of efficiency and concentration?
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Don't read the text. Reading a standard text takes way too much time and most of it will either go over your head or is extraneous BS. Instead I recommend review books, class notes, and practice questions. Your time will be spent much more efficiently.

Survivor DO
 
music2doc said:
Your response makes me wonder if you caught the humor/sarcasm in that post. 😉

My reading, anyway, would be that he was, in essence, making fun of your request.

In reality, most of that post is made up of awful advice. People who "destroy the curve silently" do so naturally. They typically don't mean to. They just do it. It's the nature of the beast. If I take a class, I generally just do well. The fact that I get a 98% on a test with a class average of <60% isn't because I studied for hours and hours (I didn't); it's because I just happened to understand the material very well (i.e., it just sort of "clicked" for me) and I'm a solid test taker (i.e., I am really good at critically thinking my way around questions I don't "know" the answer to).

In reality, to set your classes' curves without studying as much as most of the other students do, you should develop excellent integration of your knowledge base. That is, you need to develop the ability to synthesize new information. Learn to connect your areas of knowledge across domains. Be able to relate Physiology to Physics and Chemistry effortlessly. Also be able to effortlessly relate each of those subjects to Music, Psychology, History, and Anthropology. An integrated knowledge base allows you to answer questions for which you do not have the book answer. In essence, it greatly increases your chances of "guessing" correctly. It is what the SN2ed is really pushing for through one of his main exercises in the MCAT forum. Once you have mastered integration of your knowledge base, academically outperforming most people becomes incredibly easy.
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THIS is brilliant. Think synthetically.
 
I have to say, I agree with the consensus about people being naturally inclined to perform better on tests. I personally spend about...1.5 hours studying during a normal week, but I'll ramp it up to about 3 before an important exam. I never understood the people that spend hours studying, considering there is not that much information to be covered in college. I think just making up practice tests for yourself is a much more efficient way of understanding the material more quickly, rather than just going over the information again and again.
 
Sidereum said:
I have to say, I agree with the consensus about people being naturally inclined to perform better on tests. I personally spend about...1.5 hours studying during a normal week, but I'll ramp it up to about 3 before an important exam. I never understood the people that spend hours studying, considering there is not that much information to be covered in college. I think just making up practice tests for yourself is a much more efficient way of understanding the material more quickly, rather than just going over the information again and again.
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Depends on the course...something like Synthetic Organic is going to cover a lot of knowledge on a given test, even compared to another 300-level chemistry course, any of which would cover much more than the 100 levels. I know that's an extreme example, but there are plenty of analogous comparisons in all of the disciplines!
 
OP - You care about your education, you have a willingness to learn, you are motivated and glad to learn. So what if you take notes? Is that wrong?

Stop blaming yourself, realize that although there are people who don't study, there are also people who probably work harder than you do and do worse. As for the people who don't study, it will be hard for them to make it through med school (think of it that way!)

And as other have told you, don't take a crazy amount of notes during lecture. Listen. Absorb. Understand. If you need the notes, read the book. The book helps. Or borrow someone's notes.
 
Sidereum said:
I have to say, I agree with the consensus about people being naturally inclined to perform better on tests. I personally spend about...1.5 hours studying during a normal week, but I'll ramp it up to about 3 before an important exam. I never understood the people that spend hours studying, considering there is not that much information to be covered in college. I think just making up practice tests for yourself is a much more efficient way of understanding the material more quickly, rather than just going over the information again and again.
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Would making a practice test for yourself work in a technical course such as calc based physics? Asking because I am trying right now and I have no idea what to ask. I know the concepts, but can't come up with tough questions.
 
passionformed said:
Would making a practice test for yourself work in a technical course such as calc based physics? Asking because I am trying right now and I have no idea what to ask. I know the concepts, but can't come up with tough questions.
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If your textbook has homework problems in it, I would make problems with similar structures, but change the numbers around. Also, you can usually find online sources with practice problems as well.
 
I've found that one of the best ways to learn is to try to teach the material to someone else. Help other people out if you find that anyone is struggling, it will benefit the both of you a lot more than you'd think.
 
MedTG said:
Work problems and want it. Plain and simple. Instead of trying to write down every word out of the teachers mouth, read your book, work problems, do the self tests, buy the solutions manual, read/study every day. You will do well and realize that lecture is a joke. You will also start to actually understand the material and how it all relates. You do not need to memorize every single thing, just know the concepts and learn critical thinking.
Click to expand...

I know this is necro, but this guy has a point. When I really started focusing on hardcore studying 4 hours a day everyday of the week lecture becomes useless. I only go so i can be sure about whats on my test.
 
EC156 said:
I've found that one of the best ways to learn is to try to teach the material to someone else. Help other people out if you find that anyone is struggling, it will benefit the both of you a lot more than you'd think.
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Good advice 👍
 
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