Studying and memorization tips?!

[OREGONPREMED1991]

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Over my course of studies, I have done a very good job of figuring out what studying techniques do not work for me but haven't found something that works for me as far as memorizing a lot of content effectively. If anyone has any tips on how to expand my memorization, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Relax!]

Mnemonics work really well for me (especially for memorizing a list or step-by-step process). Flashcards are useful for memorizing definitions, concepts, formulas. If you are really hard working, making concept maps tends to help memorize relationships between concepts.

 

[Amba]

Mnemonics and Anki both work really well

 

[ScrubsMD]

Mnemonics, flowcharts, visualizing.
Most importantly, at least for me, blunt force repetition.

 

[clairephillips]

Anki!!! I LOVE that flashcard site and how you can set intervals to resee things that you find harder than others. On top of that, I also use a lot of mnemonics. Also, I got a small white board where I write things like organic chemistry reactions out over and over. Used in conjunction with Anki, I see a reaction and I draw out the reaction, then check to see if I got it right. If not, I make myself write it out 5 more times. Then, I bury the card for use again later in the session and do it again. I have to get it completely right twice before I'm done for the day, then I have to get it right the next day. If not, it's the same routine. This continues until the moment I know it cold. Soooo... basically what everyone else is saying - Anki, mnemonics, repetition.

 

[Goro]

Your schools should have a learning or education center. Seek them out for help with stuff like this.

Repetition always helped me. rewriting notes, drawing and redrawing flow charts, etc.

Over my course of studies, I have done a very good job of figuring out what studying techniques do not work for me but haven't found something that works for me as far as memorizing a lot of content effectively. If anyone has any tips on how to expand my memorization, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MrLogan13]

Forced retrieval works very well.

 

[mehc012]

Anki!!! I LOVE that flashcard site and how you can set intervals to resee things that you find harder than others. On top of that, I also use a lot of mnemonics. Also, I got a small white board where I write things like organic chemistry reactions out over and over. Used in conjunction with Anki, I see a reaction and I draw out the reaction, then check to see if I got it right. If not, I make myself write it out 5 more times. Then, I bury the card for use again later in the session and do it again. I have to get it completely right twice before I'm done for the day, then I have to get it right the next day. If not, it's the same routine. This continues until the moment I know it cold. Soooo... basically what everyone else is saying - Anki, mnemonics, repetition.

You know, you can change Anki's settings so it does that process for you (and also keeps track of it).

I'm clearly a huge Anki fan...it comprised the meat of my MCAT studying, etc. If you want to check it out, OP, try the link in my sig for some tips on the settings!

 

[clairephillips]

You know, you can change Anki's settings so it does that process for you (and also keeps track of it).

I'm clearly a huge Anki fan...it comprised the meat of my MCAT studying, etc. If you want to check it out, OP, try the link in my sig for some tips on the settings!

I knew that, but I don't think I fully maximized everything I can do with the settings. I'm not a student right now, so I have no need for it atm, but when I start med school, I will play with it more. I spent an hour or two every day during my MCAT prep with Anki too.

 

[mehc012]

I knew that, but I don't think I fully maximized everything I can do with the settings. I'm not a student right now, so I have no need for it atm, but when I start med school, I will play with it more. I spent an hour or two every day during my MCAT prep with Anki too.

Ah. See, I always figured I wouldn't have as much time to play around and try various settings once med school started, so I try to do it now instead!
I just wish they had a version optimized for Win8...it'd be nice to have the power of the desktop app plus the touchscreen components - the whiteboard and swipe controls of the mobile apps.

 

[clairephillips]

Ah. See, I always figured I wouldn't have as much time to play around and try various settings once med school started, so I try to do it now instead!
I just wish they had a version optimized for Win8...it'd be nice to have the power of the desktop app plus the touchscreen components - the whiteboard and swipe controls of the mobile apps.

That's a good idea to start now. I'm just not sure what I'd study. LOL.

 

[OREGONPREMED1991]

You know, you can change Anki's settings so it does that process for you (and also keeps track of it).

I'm clearly a huge Anki fan...it comprised the meat of my MCAT studying, etc. If you want to check it out, OP, try the link in my sig for some tips on the settings!

Thanks SO much!