Need some advice

[jesse14]

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Hey guys,

Here's my situation.. i'm below avrg in my class right now yet put in more hours than most. I'm an extremely slow studier and it's wearing on me. I was at the lib from 2-11 today (a few breaks in there as well) and only got through 4 lectures for my neuro exam on monday. This after already reviweing the material right after the class when i had it... is that normal or am i just studying all wrong? I don't even feel like I retain what i study either... any tips would be very appreciated

 

[Caboose]

Welp, how are you studying? Do you find yourself spacing out?

For me, I'm a horrid reader. I'm working on it because I'm going to have to get over that sooner or later, but, as you know, there ain't much time for learning in med school - ha! Anyway, I record lectures and listen to them as I commute or take walk breaks. If you're auditory in any way, this could cut down on otherwise wasted time. I draw diagrams... mostly because I can't draw pictures and I use colored pencils as I go through the notes for the second time. Somehow this keeps my brain more engaged. Case studies are helpful for things like endocrinology & neuro. If you have a face/character to place the condition with, it's a lot easier to remember.

I think it's also important to triage. I can take my own advice as I type this, lemme tell ya. I get all wound up in making it through lectures and chapters in full. What I should be doing right now is not trying to read all the chapters in diagnostic imaging that I should have been through the term, but more skimming the parts I know or could figure out.

I also write practice tests as I go, but this takes a lot of time, so it may only work in the beginning of next term, you know?

Oh yeah, write things out when you can. The act of writing increases your ability to retain. Powerpoints, they are finding, dumb people down because all we really have to do is sit there and passively listen, occasionally jotting down an interesting addition. I try to ignore the ppts and write as fast as I can during class, (while recording), and the instructors notes come in handy later. I dig study groups if they can stay on track.

Hope there's something in there you can use. Works for me.

Caboose.

 

[SwtAnana]

I think one of the secrets to really getting the material in your head is repetition. Do you read the lecture notes before class? Try reading before class (and not reading just for reading's sake but actually trying to comprehend the material), actively listening to lecture, reviewing the notes right after class....and then reviewing everything you've done that week over the weekend.

I've been using that method and I find that it works very well. By the end of the week, you would have seen that material 4 times...so you're not forced to learn something you studied weeks ago because you only looked at it once or twice before.

Also, if your school offers back tests, try looking at those as you get through the material by answering the questions that pertain to lectures that have been covered. It's a great way to see what your professors really find important and it also helps you find any misunderstandings before the exam.

This question has been raised numerous times and my suggestions are a few out of thousands of variations. Try performing a search on it to look at other suggestions.

 

[Zanegray]

First of all, take a deep breath, make sure you are taking care of yourself, sleeping, eating, exercising, calling friends and family to chat. These are important.

With regards to studying, I might try to find someone who studies well/ does well to study with. Study a set amount of material then test comprehension by asking each other questions.

When things took a long time for me (1st and 2nd year) it was usually because I was not grasping what was the really important stuff and what was the filler. A friend might be able to help with this, or your academic dean.

It is hard! Give yourself some credit. PM me if you have q's.