How do you study most efficiently?

[The One Who Knocks]

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Hello all,

I recently started the Winter semester as a sophomore, and I am taking Cell Biology with Orgo 2 and some gen eds mixed in.

I have started to become critically aware of HOW I actually study for memory-intensive classes. Take Cell Bio for instance, i find that I am printing out the slides for lecture, going to class, but then later on, I find that it is difficult for me to simply re-read the information on the slide and confidently say, "I know the information".

I find that the only real way I am satisfied with myself, and can confidently say I know the information, is if I can reproduce the information on my own. This means that I re-write the note out in my own handwriting on lined paper, with underlined important details and headings. I then proceed to write, rewrite, and write these notes again until the pages are imprinted within my mind, and so that I can recall the information as if I opening a filing cabinet.

Of course, this is time consuming, so I am wondering if this is a plausible method for studying. It has been working thus far in my academic career, but I am starting to become uneasy on whether being someone who remembers best by constantly writing it down (over and over) will be best for med school in the future as well.

Anyone study the same way? Differently? Suggestions?

I'd hate to change how I study, since I am so used to it, but I want to make sure that this isn't a mistake or anything.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[YoungProdigy]

I used to study the same way as you, but this semester, I've changed up my tune by using Anki. I have yet to take my first test this semester, but so far, so good.

 

[PlaqueBuster]

Everyone is different so you really need to find your own way at this. But my study habits +life style were:
1. exercise in the morning (it helps so much in staying awake for the rest of the day and being in a good mood and falling asleep at an appropriate time at night)
2. eat a balanced meal (again this is important in terms of your energy and motivation throughout the day)
3. Find a quiet place to study (sometimes your bedroom may not be the best spot. You can get distracted easily with a cell phone or a laptop near you also. Quality over quanity here)
4. Music may help (piano, classical, or water music on low volume and with headphones)

Everything above strengthens a good study routine. Finally to the studying part:

5. I look at powerpoint for class and create a study guide for my self
6. Then use my textbook and read through the chapters focused on those topics
7. Take notes as I read (I use a laptop and Onenote)
8. Do any problem sets associated with the readings
9. Go over notes, highlight important things and revisit those concepts in textbook

If your method is working for you then there is no need to change it. It may be time consuming but that is how you learn and it is successful. Like I said there is no perfect method and some people do well withot spending a lot of time studying.

 

[Pusheen]

I'm very similar. Usually the way the material is presented on the slides or in class doesn't make a lot of sense to me..so when I'm home I rewrite everything with arrows, flowcharts, pictures, and big headings. Then I study those new notes.

Make sure your notes are very logically structured, it makes all the difference when you have to memorize them.

 

[NYCdude]

For classes that require a lot of memorization and knowing specific details, I read through the relevant chapters and try to summarize every paragraph I read in bullet points. I'll read my summaries (which can be quite lengthy) a couple of times after I'm done.

For problem-solving based classes, I'll just read through the chapters, try to get a general understanding, and then do tons of problems.

 

[xffan624]

Hello all,

I recently started the Winter semester as a sophomore, and I am taking Cell Biology with Orgo 2 and some gen eds mixed in.

I have started to become critically aware of HOW I actually study for memory-intensive classes. Take Cell Bio for instance, i find that I am printing out the slides for lecture, going to class, but then later on, I find that it is difficult for me to simply re-read the information on the slide and confidently say, "I know the information".

I find that the only real way I am satisfied with myself, and can confidently say I know the information, is if I can reproduce the information on my own. This means that I re-write the not out in my own handwriting on lined paper, with underlined important details and headings. I then proceed to write, rewrite, and write these notes again until the pages are imprinted within my mind, and so that I can recall the information as if I opening a filing cabinet.

Of course, this is time consuming, so I am wondering if this is a plausible method for studying. It has been working thus far in my academic career, but I am starting to become uneasy on whether being someone who remembers best by constantly writing it down (over and over) will be best for med school in the future as well.

Anyone study the same way? Differently? Suggestions?

I'd hate to change how I study, since I am so used to it, but I want to make sure that this isn't a mistake or anything.

Thanks in advance!!

You're probably right that rewriting everything will not be plausible for medical school. There's simply too much material. For now, don't feel pressured to change your study habits unless you're not getting the results you want. You will adjust as necessary during first year. That what's it there for. I recommend at least experimenting with Anki if you're looking for a change of pace before you start school. I'm starting my Step 1 studying now and Anki has definitely reduced my need for content review as I have been doing so since 1st year.

 

[aegistitan]

If you're squatting or pulling heavy don't lift in the morning you'll be tired throughout the day.


Yes this is very time consuming. To be efficient you must know when to cut what number out, but that is class specific. This overall approach has worked pretty well for me in undergrad.

 

[sliceofbread136]

I used that strategy in undergrad. It worked fine then, but it did not work for me in medical school(way too much info). Just a heads up.

 

[aegistitan]

I used that strategy in undergrad. It worked fine then, but it did not work for me in medical school(way too much info). Just a heads up.

Do you have an algorithm of how to efficiently study in medical school?

 

[sliceofbread136]

Do you have an algorithm of how to efficiently study in medical school?

This depends on quite a few things, like how your classes are set up, what materials the class uses (syllabus, powerpoints,etc), and what works for you.

Personally, I read through our syllabus and highlight everything that I think could possibly be tested over (usually around 50% of the syllabus, ya I go through highlighters like crazy). The next time I read the syllabus, I only read what I highlighted, which cuts down the time it takes to read to like 25% of the first pass.

I also print out the professors lecture slides and write notes on them during class.

I read the lecture slides and the highlighted parts of the syllabus around 4 times. This is very manageable, and I've been able to slip around 2 hours of step studying a day this semester.

Would I recommend other people do what I do? Probably not, I think I have a very niche way of studying. What I would recommend is taking your first semester of medical school and use it to try new study methods and see what works for you, because it's very likely you will have to change your methods from undergrad when you enter med school.

Apologies for the long rambling post

 

[ski89]

Hello all,

I recently started the Winter semester as a sophomore, and I am taking Cell Biology with Orgo 2 and some gen eds mixed in.

I have started to become critically aware of HOW I actually study for memory-intensive classes. Take Cell Bio for instance, i find that I am printing out the slides for lecture, going to class, but then later on, I find that it is difficult for me to simply re-read the information on the slide and confidently say, "I know the information".

I find that the only real way I am satisfied with myself, and can confidently say I know the information, is if I can reproduce the information on my own. This means that I re-write the note out in my own handwriting on lined paper, with underlined important details and headings. I then proceed to write, rewrite, and write these notes again until the pages are imprinted within my mind, and so that I can recall the information as if I opening a filing cabinet.

Of course, this is time consuming, so I am wondering if this is a plausible method for studying. It has been working thus far in my academic career, but I am starting to become uneasy on whether being someone who remembers best by constantly writing it down (over and over) will be best for med school in the future as well.

Anyone study the same way? Differently? Suggestions?

I'd hate to change how I study, since I am so used to it, but I want to make sure that this isn't a mistake or anything.

Thanks in advance!!

To actually answer your question about Efficiency (which some of the above posters have taken to mean Brute Force studying), I think there are two main factors to consider.
1. What material is most likely to be on the test?
2. Where are my gaps in knowledge in regard to that material?

Answering these questions and studying accordingly will lead to efficiency. Are most of the test questions coming from homework? Pp slides? The required readings? Does the professor tend to give clues during lecture regarding material that is definitely going to be in the test? Once you identify this you can gear your studying to that area.

I was similar to you in UG in that I retained information best by writing it down in some kind of outline format. If this works for you in UG then keep doing it. However, I agree that our ways will have to change come medical school. I suspect that I will still be able to employ the same tactics but I will have to be strategic with how I take notes such that the info that I actually write down is super high yield.

Lastly, a great way to become more efficient is to make sure you never have down time. Have material in a form that you can study at any moment. Flash cards are the most obvious example. When you are on the bus, study your flash cards. Waiting for class to start, study your flash cards. Basically whenever you have a gap of 10-20 min of time throughout your day, use it to study. This is something that I expect to employ heavily when I start med school.



Sent from my iPhone

 

[The One Who Knocks]

+1 For rote memorization Anki has seriously made my studying WAY more efficient. Only downside (for some) is that you have to put in a little time every day instead of a big chunk right before the exam - I always make my flash cards after each class, and do up to 30 new ones a day plus any old due ones (never more than 100 a day - usually takes me ~30 minutes). I go through the entire deck once or twice the week of the exam, then pull the ones I'm less comfortable with and do them a few times a day the last couple days before the exam. I rarely got bad grades in the first place, but I'm getting equal/better scores and putting in significantly less time to do it.

Anki sounds promising, but I have NEVER used flash cards before to study. I know some people who do it, but I have always studied with a stack of blank lined paper and my printed ppt slides, and my hand always moving or doing something.

What exactly do you put on the Anki cards? How much information? Are the front sides of the cards specific questions that you think may be asked?

Thanks in advance

 

[medic86]

If you're squatting or pulling heavy don't lift in the morning you'll be tired throughout the day.

0. Lift, get your macros in
1. Read the textbook chapter (highlight, underline)
2. Outline the textbook chapter in onenote/evernote
3. Recreate and reorganize the textbook chapter on a blank piece of paper
--------- at this point after having gone through the information 3x you should be somewhat familiar with it
4. Do any assigned problems for that chapter
5. ****Go over the answers to the assigned problems, see what you did wrong, and note what you should have done right. Write down what do in onenote/evernote. You must review every single question. You must dissect the question.
6. Attend lecture, take notes by hand
7. rewrite notes in onenote/evernote
8. Do any graded homework for the class
9. ****Repeat #5 for the graded homework
-------- at this point you should be very familiar with the material
10. Practice exam #1
11. ****Repeat #5 for the practice exam
12. Repeat 10-11 until you run out of practice materials.
13. Do Harvard/MIT exams to gun even harder

**** These are when the actual learning begins

Throughout all of this, you should be keeping a seperate note open in onenote/evernote and writing down what you do not understand as specific questions. After #9 go back and try to answer those questions yourself, if you can't go clarify with someone else (TA, professor, whatever)

Yes this is very time consuming. To be efficient you must know when to cut what number out, but that is class specific. This overall approach has worked pretty well for me in undergrad.

Lol. I think I'd rather rewrite notes than do all of this. :O

 

[aegistitan]

Lol. I think I'd rather rewrite notes than do all of this. :O

Do you even #0?