I'm about to be a freshman this fall and really never studied in high school. I want to learn how to study and also enjoy it. I enjoy the sciences so it won't be hard to get interested but how do you guys make it a little bit more enjoyable. Any cool techniques? Any 'not so common' study habits' are welcome as well.
How to enjoy studying
- Thread starter Maali
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Adderall.
But seriously, in terms of "enjoying studying," I used to almost always listen to music (w/o lyrics) while studying which helped tremendously in terms of reading for long stretches.
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Why would you enjoy studying? Just learn to study efficiently, which can be found by using the search function.
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Don't read the entire textbook. No... seriously do read the entire textbook. All of it. Be sure to savor the pages as well.😉
I like to google search things about what I'm studying. It's really helpful to see how concepts tie in. In my mind, connecting concepts makes everything more interesting. There is nothing I hate more than rote memorization!
I am a HUGE fan of wikipedia.
I am a HUGE fan of wikipedia.
D
deleted407021
It helps if you enjoy the subject matter. I like studying because I enjoy expanding my understanding of science. A lot of other stuff does not require study, ie. psych and English. Studying will not always be enjoyable but I like to find ways to correlate my I less enjoyable studies with those that I do enjoy. How do they relate to one another? Good luck!
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I wouldn't say I enjoy studying, but it's just something you have to do, and when you ace exams because of it, the satisfaction pays off.
Take breaks when you need to: get a snack, play an instrument, whatever. It helps the info sink in. For me, I could only listen to music while doing math-based problems, otherwise it'd mess up my internal monologue, lol.
Take breaks when you need to: get a snack, play an instrument, whatever. It helps the info sink in. For me, I could only listen to music while doing math-based problems, otherwise it'd mess up my internal monologue, lol.
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I agree with the whole idea of looking up outside info related to what you're studying. I like to go on Science Daily and read articles. I don't always read the full journal article for certain reasons like inaccessibility or time, but even just the overview written on the site is enough to get you thinking. As a side note, if you find something interesting, discussing it with your professor(s) could help boost your relationship with them. You may also consider looking up details on scientists you learn about if you don't go into detail in your classes. It can be really interesting and helps you to be a little more well-rounded in your approach to science if you know about some of the history. (Plus... Those amazing people deserve the recognition!)
I have more to say but I just got done working a crazy shift with overtime so I'll post it later. Sleepy. 😉
I have more to say but I just got done working a crazy shift with overtime so I'll post it later. Sleepy. 😉
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Great resource! Thanks for sharing.
This is what I was initially going to suggest. Don't procrastinate too much and give yourself plenty of time to explore your interests while you study! I like to call this a "5 minute delve" ... If I come across a cool fact or interesting concept, I google it, look through wikipedia, and generally enjoy absorbing more info on that topic. However, I time myself. Why? Because it is easy to get caught up in a Wikipedia Vortex by following link after link after link. When you are addicted to information, it is easy to get caught up in an information 'fix.'
This is a great point as well. The comment about exploring topics is moot if you genuinely don't want to find out more... probably because you are generally not interested in the topic at hand. If this is how you feel for the majority of prerequisite classes, you are probably going to be in trouble in medical school.
OP:
I would suggest that you continue to be introspective about your personal study habits and needs. Everyone is different. Make note of your learning style, keep a critical eye on your study habits in order to be aware of what works for you and what doesn't. Make a list of your habit strengths and weaknesses. Write out strategies in attempt to augment your strengths and combat your weaknesses. Set goals and stick to them. Plan rewards and be true to them.
Honestly, I think that half of the battle is simply having the maturity and dedication to really pay attention to your personal story. The fact that you are even asking this question makes me think that you will be successful, no matter what! 🙂
Good luck,
C
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I think it's important to mention that you aren't always going to enjoy the material you're studying. Sometimes you may find yourself uninterested by a course, and studying for it will be a drag. That doesn't mean you have any less reason to be motivated and work hard - keep your eyes on the prize. When it comes to schoolwork, your ambition is more important than your entertainment. That said, anything you can do to make uninteresting curricula more enjoyable is certainly a plus.
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Great point to mention! It can be easy to forget about that sometimes.
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I devised a study plan from some of the books I've been reading. I haven't tried it out yet, so if you have critiques please let me know!
Daily Process:
In hindsight it seems good. And as it seems I'll have Tuesdays and Thursdays virtually free to do all that reading I would need to do. Of course there would be a few additional things for test prep. Just wondering what everyone else thinks and if it ends up being good I hope I can help someone else with it. 👍
Daily Process:
- Read the book and take notes on loose leaf paper and/or mark up the textbook.
- Create questions to ask during class from these notes.
- Take notes in class (I plan to type if I can but have paper handy for equations, diagrams, etc. that I can't type.
- Revise and add to the questions from the reading and ask during or after class.
- After class (or asap that day) write a paragraph summary about the lesson.
- Review the summaries every day as a study method.
- Make a shorter summary out of the daily ones after tests for future final studying.
In hindsight it seems good. And as it seems I'll have Tuesdays and Thursdays virtually free to do all that reading I would need to do. Of course there would be a few additional things for test prep. Just wondering what everyone else thinks and if it ends up being good I hope I can help someone else with it. 👍
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when u figure it out, let me know too
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Seems very intense. If you are genuinely dedicated to this, it might be possible. However, there are some well-known strategies for training yourself to do things like this. Honestly, research shows that we have animal brains... Think of it like training a dog: positive reinforcement, strict procedural adherence, and lots of love!
My suggestions:
*make an erasable weekly calendar on a big whiteboard with a DAILY CHECKLIST for each class.
*hold yourself accountable, but give yourself some slack. On the side of the calendar, have a "free pass" pocket that allows you to skip an item on your checklist for that day.
*reward yourself. What do you get if you finish all items on your checklist at the end of the week? Maybe a "free pass" added to the pocket for the next week, maybe a special dinner, maybe $10 into a study rewards account
*for the "love" part... It's self love! Take care of yourself, eat right, get enough sleep! Lots of studies have shown that self control and inhibitions go wayyyy down when people are chronically tired. The more well rested you are, the easier it will be to be efficient, effective, and stay on task.
*introspection is key! What are your weaknesses? Inefficiency, procrastination, and time-management are three common ones. Identify yours and think about how you can combat it BEFORE it happens. Have a plan. For example, for people who get distracted by the Internet/Facebook, there are some browsers you can download that track your time on specified websites and actually block you from chosen ones. You can designate "one hour to studying" which will block you from your chosen list of websites for that time (Facebook, SDN, etc).
Good luck 🙂
Best,
C
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Along with what other posters said above:
Try to find how you can connect what you study to broader goals or more comprehensive themes.
If you know how taking certain courses is part of your broader goals and how it will help what you will be doing for a career, you are easily motivated to learn relevant things to invest in your future applications.
For example, how is learning history in civilizations applicable to investigating the origin of inequalities we see today? How does developing sensitivity through music performances relate to recognizing vulnerable patients in the future? How does hyperactive listening skills in improv comedy affect how you listen to patients?
If you can do this, you don't need to rely on other tricks or techniques.
Try to find how you can connect what you study to broader goals or more comprehensive themes.
If you know how taking certain courses is part of your broader goals and how it will help what you will be doing for a career, you are easily motivated to learn relevant things to invest in your future applications.
For example, how is learning history in civilizations applicable to investigating the origin of inequalities we see today? How does developing sensitivity through music performances relate to recognizing vulnerable patients in the future? How does hyperactive listening skills in improv comedy affect how you listen to patients?
If you can do this, you don't need to rely on other tricks or techniques.
Sometimes studying just isn't fun.. you kinda just have to live with it. It helps to try to take GEs that interest you; don't take classes in really boring subjects just because they're easy (unless they're REALLY easy and require very little work, in that case go get that free A).
Listening to music and sipping on some coffee or energy drink (iced doubleshot starbucks espresso / Red Bull 👍 ) makes studying more fun for me. I can only listen to music while doing practice problems, not while memorizing or reading.
^I also agree that getting the good grades will make studying much more worth it; ever since I've really been able to get results (consistent A's) from studying a lot, I've been much more motivated to study and I always look forward to being able to prove myself in difficult courses.
Listening to music and sipping on some coffee or energy drink (iced doubleshot starbucks espresso / Red Bull 👍 ) makes studying more fun for me. I can only listen to music while doing practice problems, not while memorizing or reading.
^I also agree that getting the good grades will make studying much more worth it; ever since I've really been able to get results (consistent A's) from studying a lot, I've been much more motivated to study and I always look forward to being able to prove myself in difficult courses.
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The books I've been reading have actually mentioned some of those things. But you did offer ideas I've never heard of/considered... So thanks for that! I don't end up going on the computer all that much during school aside from school-related things. But does anyone happen to know of a time tracking sort of application/thing for Mac? I think that would be useful to have regardless. 👍
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Getting up? Why even sleep.
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Glad to help! There are tons of these things out there for PC and Mac. For Mac, try the following:
Go to selfcontrolapp.com
(Free and open source)
Or
Antisocial.cc
(Costs money)
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Pick a major you find interesting. Otherwise, you will hate studying.
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Unless you're actually interested in the material you're studying, you don't enjoy studying. It's just something you have to do.
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I have a similar problem. I don't enjoy studying but throughtout high school, I've been experimenting with cramming techniques. In college, I was able to perfect them and do well in all my classes. My problem is that unless I have a test the next day, I cannot get myself to sit down and study effectivily. So I've been releying solely on cramming. Typically, I don't reccomended people to cram but in the OP's case, it might prove to be an effective technique.
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What about when/if you get to med school? From what I've heard cramming is just not possible in med school. (Please feel free to prove me wrong.) Also, in case you say something like, "Oh, but in med school the stuff I will be learning will be so much more interesting so I won't have any problem studying without cramming." don't bother. I read the books by Dr Michael J Collins who, while he wasn't a crammer, he had a similar idea that just being in med school would make studying less painful, but you don't get to the clinical disease-related stuff for some time. You have to go through anatomy, histology, etc. before clinical stuff. All I'm saying is that... Don't assume you will be able to convert so easily once you get to medical school if you're cramming as your major way to study. Have you taken the MCAT? I can't imagine cramming will help you with that. But like I said, prove me wrong. Don't just take my word for it.
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You could try a study session power hour. You memorize one flash card and take one shot of beer every minute for an hour. After one hour, you've learned 60 facts and drank 5 beers - productive and efficient.
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Like others said before, if you can find interest in the subject it makes studying a lot more enjoyable. If you are just studying just to get a good grade it will be a lot more tedious experience. I used to know someone who got really good grades on biology tests, but he didn't even believe in evolution, he just memorized the stuff in the textbook to get a good grade. He ended up burning out after 2 years.
Also, studying in groups is something I enjoy. Having the subject explained to you by your peers, or explaining it to them yourself can give you a better understanding of the material. Also, if your friends are good about studying they can keep you on track, I know I get distracted easily.
Also, studying in groups is something I enjoy. Having the subject explained to you by your peers, or explaining it to them yourself can give you a better understanding of the material. Also, if your friends are good about studying they can keep you on track, I know I get distracted easily.
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Study groups can be a crapshoot for a lot of people. But if you can get a few focused people to study with you that can help. But yeah... If you don't enjoy science why are you going into medicine? That's my question. You should be studying something you enjoy, and science is an integral part of medicine. When I read Dr. Michael J Collin's book "Blue Collar, Blue Scrubs" I was stunned that he talked about all this "science I just have to get past". Medicine is science. But maybe I'm just a huge nerd. If struggling through pre-med stuff is only because of the money, then don't bother. Because it doesn't get easier and passion will pull you through.
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I find what I study fascinating when I connect what I am learning to other things I have already learned. Especially when linking one discipline to another. Learning physics is fascinating when you connect it to chemistry. Chemistry is fascinating when you link it to biology. Biology is fascinating when you link it to psychology. Try thinking about everyday phenomenon and try to explain it in terms of what you've learned.
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