How do you study best?

[Dr Gerrard]

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[BurntFlower]

I read my notes over and over until the information sticks.

 

[DrStraggler]

Flashcards SUCK!

They're so inefficient if not supplemented with good notes. Just by themselves, they're a resource for failure....in my experience.


But studying is a such a PERSONAL issue, you never do it the same as anyone else.

 

[ponyo]

Flashcards SUCK!

They're so inefficient if not supplemented with good notes. Just by themselves, they're a resource for failure....in my experience.


But studying is a such a PERSONAL issue, you never do it the same as anyone else.

I think flashcards can be really useful for some classes.

I like to always reorganize the material into a new format. Doesn't even matter what the new format is--flash card, outline, handwritten notes, etc.--but it forces you to engage the material and is good for memorization.

 

[NGCSUstudent]

I read the material and take notes before the lecture on the material. Then I go to the lecture, and take notes when the prof adds something new or gives important examples to the material in the book. Otherwise, I sit and absorb the material through listening. Then I transfer all terms to StudyStack.com (online flashcards) about a week before a quiz/exam and go over them until I know all of them (I sometimes pass 1 or 2 if there's over 50 or so.) During this time, I'm also doing every example and problem given in the chapter. Then I re-read the material a few nights before the exam to make sure I know the information as a whole. I'll also do online research when necessary.

My method is constantly being revised though. I used to transfer all my notes onto my laptop to go over the information once again, but this took hours and my time could better be spent in more effective study methods. Different courses also require different methods. I can't study for, say, calculus the same way I study for biology or advanced comp.

I can't exactly just "pick one" because every step of my study method relies on another so I can memorize visually, through writing, reading, hearing, and comprehending. If I were to read the material, make flashcards, and call it a day, I'm going to bomb the exam. If I were to take notes out of the book and then take an exam, I'm done for. So yeah, my option was "other."

 

[bpigz]

I make a list of what I need to go over and lecture everything out loud as if I was talking to a class. Then I'll look back on the sheet with the answers/concept of whatever I was going over and if I got something wrong I'll go back over it until I have everything right. Repeat, repeat and repeat some more everyday.

For math I use a small dry erase board to write everything out and explain it to myself, along with doing a couple problems from the book each day. Doing everything out loud has worked wonders for me though.

I wont be taking any science courses until I transfer next fall, so I have yet to see if what I'm doing now will be efficient.

 

[Neurosis]

Honestly, I'm probably the worst studying student EVER 😳. I always get sidetracked or daydream. The words on the pages are just scribbles eventually. I'm worried it's only gets worse from here....

 

[Buttermellow]

Flashcards really help for things that are strict memorization. For all else, I take notes in class, read the textbook if need be, and re-read my notes.

I might make outlines, draw pictures, or write short summaries, depending on the class. Honestly, I usually cram for a few days before a test in most classes. More difficult ones I'll study as I go. It's worked for me, but I know I'll have to adjust once in med school.

 

[misseskwee]

I usually rewrite my notes by consolidating my notes from class, my professor's powerpoint slides, and the textbook. It takes so much time and effort, and then after that I reread my notes over until they stick. However, it's always worked for me (I do this for mostly my science courses) and I've always gotten good grades so I'll stick with it. I might not be able to do so once I go to medschool, tho. It takes too much time.. Hmm..

 

[ss123]

my strat:

chem, math, physics, etc.: solve as many difficult problems as you can find. do all of the ones in the textbook, get more textbooks and do ones in those too. even if you get them right, figure out more efficient ways to solve the same problems

bio, etc.: just understand what's going on, high level. then memorize what you need to

 

[doctorshateher]

I learn by explaining - I have to say something out loud to make sure my understanding makes sense. I read and then try to explain it to someone who actually knows something about it. Or a non-science roommate who is actively tuning me out. 🙄

 

[maybemed2013]

On my bed or in a comfortable position...
If I have to read.. I like to do it before 4pm... I sometimes woke up early like 5/6 to read.
Powerpoints..anytime
I read little by little...I might take 2 to 3 days to rd 1 ch.
I also take breaks.

 

[Morsetlis]

I find that, after about 15 minutes, being on a bed decreases my studying efficiency by 50%.

 

[NGCSUstudent]

I find that, after about 15 minutes, being on a bed decreases my studying efficiency by 50%.

Same. I also can barely study in my own home. I can for short periods (eg., a round of flash cards or reading 1 or 2 chapters), but for the most part, I have to be at a library, coffee shop, bookstore, or cafe to study. I've been kicked out of a few places for 'loitering.' Pretty much, I was in there every day, studying, but not buying anything. 🙄

 

[PantherPride]

Highlighter + books. For techy classes, I do several practice problems of every variety.

 

[Ghost117]

See, I seem like a dick for picking just going to class, but its true. I've tried most everything out there, and flashcards are stupid. And if I take notes in class I often miss what the prof is saying, so for me at least, it is much better to just intently listen to the prof for the hour, and THINK! That last part is something that is very difficult to do while taking notes.

 

[NGCSUstudent]

See, I seem like a dick for picking just going to class, but its true. I've tried most everything out there, and flashcards are stupid. And if I take notes in class I often miss what the prof is saying, so for me at least, it is much better to just intently listen to the prof for the hour, and THINK! That last part is something that is very difficult to do while taking notes.

While I can't just go to class and do fine, I do find lectures more beneficial when I sit and just listen over the material. But I always look like a total bum while doing so. 😀

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

The only time I've started using flashcards was for Orgo. It's not even that helpful. :/

 

[music2doc]

Anyone else kind of dislike the qualifier on the last one? It's like you're bragging if that's what you do....

For me, the other things make no difference. Flash cards are a waste of time. Taking notes beyond maybe a half-page or so worth per class is more confusing than helpful. Why would I outline my notes? Fact is, to me, it's a waste of time. To each his own, but it seems that the OP is placing a value judgment on a given style. Not cool.

 

[addo]

I always thought flashcards were a waste of time in undergrad. In med school they have been kinda helpful because of all the memorization you have to do in such a short period of time. I still don't use them much, but i can now see how they can be really helpful to some people. Mnemonics are incredibly helpful too for the same reason. For the most part i just read and take notes, notes which are never reviewed or read again. The process of writing just helps things stick.

 

[sc4s2cg]

Organize slides + lecture notes during lecture, read textbook, then read the notes over and over.

Flashcards never really helped me..

 

[Infarction]

my strat:

Chem, math, physics, etc.: Solve as many difficult problems as you can find. Do all of the ones in the textbook, get more textbooks and do ones in those too. Even if you get them right, figure out more efficient ways to solve the same problems

bio, etc.: Just understand what's going on, high level. Then memorize what you need to

+1

 

[gettheleadout]

Anyone else kind of dislike the qualifier on the last one? It's like you're bragging if that's what you do....

For me, the other things make no difference. Flash cards are a waste of time. Taking notes beyond maybe a half-page or so worth per class is more confusing than helpful. Why would I outline my notes? Fact is, to me, it's a waste of time. To each his own, but it seems that the OP is placing a value judgment on a given style. Not cool.

You mean this poll is biased? 😱

 

[Ghost117]

While I can't just go to class and do fine, I do find lectures more beneficial when I sit and just listen over the material. But I always look like a total bum while doing so. 😀

Exactly. I am the only one in my whole OChem class that does not take notes, and everyone (including the prof) looks at me like I don't care. In reality, I end up doing far better then most of then on exams, though, so its ok. 😛

 

[typicalindian]

-Making outlines from slides/handouts
-Reading slides/handouts over and over

I do both

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Anyone else kind of dislike the qualifier on the last one? It's like you're bragging if that's what you do....

For me, the other things make no difference. Flash cards are a waste of time. Taking notes beyond maybe a half-page or so worth per class is more confusing than helpful. Why would I outline my notes? Fact is, to me, it's a waste of time. To each his own, but it seems that the OP is placing a value judgment on a given style. Not cool.

well i meant to put this on allo first, not pre-allo

in medical schol, if you can really get by with just going to lecture.. yes you are a genius

 

[gettheleadout]

well i meant to put this on allo first, not pre-allo

in medical schol, if you can really get by with just going to lecture.. yes you are a genius

I have to wonder if that would even be possible considering most lectures don't cover the whole of the material in the required amount of depth given the time constraints.

 

[Propylene]

I learn best from my textbooks and lecture notes. My favorite study sessions are just me and a quality textbook and maybe a highlighter

 

[Truzzi]

Flashcard are bomb if you know how to make them. For example, a flash card that asks, "What is meiosis" and responds with "The process of making four haploid gametes in the sex cells" would be awful. There is simply not enough detail. If you respond with a list of all the various stages, then you're heading in the right direction. Better yet, make separate flashcards for all the stages that include even minor details like the astrals and such.

So essentially re-outline your notes on flashcards. This will make you remember better because writing something down helps to encode information better than simply reading the material. Then you have an enormously powerful study aide.

 

[Neuronix]

This thread is cross-posted in allo here: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=862095

Reply there if you wish. Please do not post something in two different forums on SDN.