How well do you guys retain what you learn?

[Belyzel4]

(I posted this in Pre-Med forums as well, but I thought I would post this here as well because most likely you guys have done your trial and error testing on how to learn information.)

I bet this question has probably been beaten to death, but I guess it's good to refresh the responses. It is something that has always been on my mind to figure out how to just keep stuff stuck in my head. Anyways I was wondering how long do you guys typically retain the information you learn in your classes? What tips do you have for retaining information? (If it's not so much to ask, could you please give a step by step breakdown of what you do to study and retain information)

I have crammed my entire life up to this point (3rd year in college) and I have actually done relatively well (3.8ish GPA in Neuroscience), but the thing is... I barely remember anything at all! I have found cramming using short-term retention to just be so efficient. When I cram, my focus is always high and I am just able to retain almost everything I read. I aced all my pre-med requirements, but if someone asked me something about them... I probably wouldn't be able to come up with a coherent response (uh oh MCAT!).

I really want to venture into "Learning". I want to start studying weeks ahead of tests instead of hours or days. I want to just get a perfect learning system and get that aspect of learning done with. As far as I know, mastering information is as simple as sitting down and repeating what you learn over and over again. That's what I do when I cram, but in a shorter time frame with higher retention due to high focus. My main problem is just focusing when the test is so far away! The best I can usually do to avoid the delayed satisfaction problem is when I study applied courses like physiology because they are just so easy to relate with. I think I have gotten so accustomed to cramming that I just never gave myself a chance to study properly and now it is really difficult to focus when I try to study ahead of time because it is out of the norm for me.

The closest I have gotten to understanding how some people retain information they learn for extended periods of time without forcing it through direct repetition is when I went to a seminar once at my college. The speaker was a doctor who said that most successful pre-med students that make it into medical immerse themselves in their studies, apply what they learn on a daily basis to their lives, and talk as much as they can about what they learn with the people they know. So really if I can nail down how to study in general, I guess I just need to think about what I studied around the clock instead of jumping into leisure activities when I'm not studying.

Thanks in advance for your responses!

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[namethatsmell]

As far as I know, mastering information is as simple as sitting down and repeating what you learn over and over again.

If "mastery" is the overarching thing you're looking for...I'm not sure you're gonna get a valid answer. Here's why: one of the most amusing things about med students (myself included) is that we can be absolutely convinced we "know" something by retaining whatever factoids we're expected to know for our exams--only to have a classic disease presentation on the floor and totally miss it. I'm only an MS2 and this will obviously changes as one begins to spend way more time in the hospital. However, there's a reason why med school and residency is a minimum of 7 years...and I doubt you'll find a reputable doc who felt they had "mastered" their field upon completing residency.

Anyways I was wondering how long do you guys typically retain the information you learn in your classes? What tips do you have for retaining information? (If it's not so much to ask, could you please give a step by step breakdown of what you do to study and retain information)

This will sound obvious, but just focus on doing your best on your exams while trying to understand how whatever you're learning might relate to actually treating a patient. The better you do, the more you'll recall down the line (even when you suspect you don't remember a darn thing).

I barely remember anything at all!

Once you start med school, you'll likely feel that way 24/7. Welcome to the party.


I'm only an 2nd year, so take this all with a grain of salt...maybe a 3rd/4th year can offer a better perspective.

 

[MCAT guy]

Tools:

• Repetition
  • Spaced repetition = longer term memory. Know it today, recall it 1 month later, recall 3 months later, 6 months, 1 year, etc.
• Layers (depth) - the difference between knowing a fact and understanding connections between things.
• Read, wRite, Review, Recite
  • notes, repetition, talking it out
• Making questions (if time is available) - good for recall, again spaced repetition means longer term

I don't think it's really that complicated. I think it is more about commitment, time invested, and most importantly, efficiency.

 

[MCAT guy]

(If it's not so much to ask, could you please give a step by step breakdown of what you do to study and retain information)

I want to just get a perfect learning system and get that aspect of learning done with.

First, there is no perfect learning system. There are systems that work and are efficient, and those that don't and aren't.

I really want to venture into "Learning". I want to start studying weeks ahead of tests instead of hours or days.
My main problem is just focusing when the test is so far away! The best I can usually do to avoid the delayed satisfaction problem is when I study applied courses like physiology because they are just so easy to relate with. I think I have gotten so accustomed to cramming that I just never gave myself a chance to study properly and now it is really difficult to focus when I try to study ahead of time because it is out of the norm for me.

Your problems seem to be more along the lines of discipline and motivation. I think a fitness analogy is appropriate here. What is the best workout? What is the perfect workout system to lose fat and gain muscle?

There is no perfect workout. There are workouts that are effective and efficient and those that aren't. The advice would be, just find one that works for you and use it. It's more about work ethic, seeking effectiveness as opposed to perfection, and being disciplined in execution.

You're focusing on the wrong things here.

 

[Rollo]

I like that seminar speaker doctor suggestion that immersing yourself in your studies and discussing it with people outside of school is a good way to learn and retain lot of material.

One rule of thumb I was always stuck to in college (and more or less in med school now) is that if I can explain what I have learned to a non-medical person and they understand it well, then I have a firm grasp on what I am learning. It, by no means, makes me an expert on the topic but it lets me know that I understand the concept and the foundations well which is really the key to success in retaining information in medical school.

Another great strategy to employ is to read cases based on the topics you're learning. If you're learning about a certain disease, look it up in textbooks or case files and study it by an actual case. This is why I love systems-based curriculum because you're learning many smaller topics in a bigger picture format i.e. you learn cardiac physiology, anatomy, pathology, microbiology, and pharmacology in cardiac block and if you pick up a good case or two about endocarditis or mitral valve prolapse, you will learn all of those smaller topics together!

It is good that you're starting to think about learning strategies before medical school. However keep in mind that you won't find the "perfect" system right now...or in fact, ever since many medical students have to adjust their study habits. I'm a 2nd year now and you would think that I would have found THE system but "my system" is consistently being re-evaluated and reinforced with new strategies every now and then.

Just be ready to employ different study strategies in the first half of medical school. What you think may work for you now might not work for you at all! I remember I used to think that because I learned the best from attending lectures in undergrad, I would continue to do the same in medical school. Boy, did I do a complete 180 on that philosophy or what! I haven't attended a single lecture since LAST November (yes, November 2009). Technically, I have listened to audio recordings of lecture at my own convenience but you get the point.

 

[JokerMD]

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[Elipsis]

I agree with a lot of the above, but I'd like to add one thought. Learning and retaining new information in medical school (or anywhere else) is a lot easier if you can find ways to enjoy the process. Medical school provides a deeply satisfying intellectual challenge and is therefore inherently fun for most of the sorts of people that end up there. Unfortunately, the stress and fear of failure that comes with it can turn what could and should be awesome into a grind. Overcoming the psychological challenges that come with starting medical school is a topic for a separate thread, but what I'd like to suggest to you in addition to some of the things the other posters have mentioned is this: find a way to develop a genuine love of learning. Taking pleasure in your studies doesn't solve all of your problems, but it frees your mind to engage subjects in much more creative ways, which unsurprisingly, provides significant advantages for your level of retention. If you're unsuccessful at shifting your attitude (definitely easier said than done), take a year off and work a really lame job before starting medical school. You'll think studying medical science is the best thing ever when you don't get to take it for granted anymore. Speaking from personal experience.