How to use Podcasts to study

[NearnstPotentia]

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I don't go to class because the commute is 15 minutes one way and I don't feel that listening to lecture is superior to listening to a podcasts.

That being said, what is the most efficient way to use a podcast?

I've thought of a few ways:

1. Preview lecture by listening to it one time through at 2x speed. Then listen again but fastforward through the fluff and just take some sparse notes on the stuff you need

2. Listen to it one time taking notes while you listen. Later clarify anything that is unclear using the internet or the textbook.

3. Listen to it one time. Then afterwards go over the ppt and text writing notes.

note: I really need help figuring out how to study. While I currently am in the top 15-20% of the class it is costing me late nights, all my free time, and about 3-4 hours of sleep each night. I cannot keep up this pace of taking notes on everything and then editing them over the course of several hours. I've produced some kickass study guides but Jesus Christ it is just taking me too long. HELP!!!!

 

[NearnstPotentia]

Also, what is the best software for listening to podcasts? Is there anything better than VLC player?

 

[NearnstPotentia]

bump

 

[tiedyeddog]

note: I really need help figuring out how to study. While I currently am in the top 15-20% of the class it is costing me late nights, all my free time, and about 3-4 hours of sleep each night. I cannot keep up this pace of taking notes on everything and then editing them over the course of several hours. I've produced some kickass study guides but Jesus Christ it is just taking me too long. HELP!!!!

Preface: I go to lecture about half the time. I mainly go to just keep a schedule. I find podcasting much more time efficient but find I don't always do it every time I miss.

I have no idea why you are going over the lectures so much. I usually do one pass through at 1.5x speed, reading along and making notations in my notes. I usually go through the texts, really focusing on things stressed in lecture or things I don't understand. Maybe do this for ~2-3 hours. Then spend 2-4 hours just rewriting stuff and trying to memorize it. Then spend ~45 minutes to 1 one looking at the next days stuff. Maybe go over yesterdays stuff for 1-2 hours. Try to spend between 6-9 hours a day studying. Much more the week before tests. If I have anatomy lab that day I do less review from lecture or less look ahead work. If I go to lecture then I sub out some studying time.

Weekends are strictly for review. Take one day off every other weekend or so.

The next day I look over my notes for maybe 1-2 hours, repeat everything else. This has been working great for me. However, I am a very visually and mechanical learner. I learn the best when making charts, writing concepts, again, again, and again.

From what you have said, you are not an auditory learner. I would ditch going over the lectures so many times. Also, if you are losing 3-4 hours of sleep a night then you are becoming less effective as synthesizing the stuff you are trying to learn. If you can control it try to sleep AT LEAST six hours and night, I am for seven or six 1/2, but that is natural for me. I know people who sleep nine hours a night and are doing awesome.

Edit: also, I don't use every text they recommend or even "require". I just find the ones that relates most to how I learn and stick with it. Going over every text they list is a huge time waster at my school, too much stuff to learn.