Studying while exercising

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DressageGal

DressageGal

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Do any of yall study while exercising? What's your method? Mainly talking about running. Trying to justify 1+ hour runs while taking an extreme course load plus a bunch of other commitments.... :boom:
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Unless using an audiobook, running while reading sounds like a good combination for a headache and/or falling.

However, I have seen people do it, so if you can handle it, and get something positive out of both, then go ahead.
 
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If I had a huge exam coming up and was behind, or alternatively if I just wanted to be as efficient as possible to have more free time that day, I would do this. I just would hit the gym for an hour, and instead of texting or redditing in between my sets, I'd study. Sometimes on cardio days while I was on a cut I'd bring a textbook to the recumbent bike for an hour and pedal at low intensity while reading.

I could never do a vigorous, constant effort workout while studying ( e.g running).
 
Yes! I pre-read any chapters on my IPad while on the treadmill/bike or just things that need to be memorized.
 
I sometimes do Anki cards on the mobile app on my phone in between sets when I'm lifting.
 
Never could do it. I'd either stop running/biking or I'd stop reading. Though, I did learn basic EKG for undergrad physiology while biking in undergrad. Not sure how I did it. If you can quiz yourself on the machines, then it's fine. But I wouldn't try learning something completely new. You need to give your undivided attention for that.
 
I found that doing flashcards while walking on a steep incline treadmill was both a good workout and slow enough to actually let me see the cards (and not get motion sick).
 
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I don't understand how people do this. I have trouble multitasking (one of my flaws). When I'm exercising, I'm exercising. When I'm studying, I'm studying.
 
Either study or exercise. I don't really see the need to do both.
 
I would but it feels too gunner-y imo, and I would probably have trouble focusing unless it was something low-intensity. So, I might as well take a break from studying.

It's hard enough doing Anki while walking from class-to-class, haha .
 
I do feel there is a tension between the fun and intensity of exercise and studying. When I read something, it's a strain, and I have to stop exercising to concentrate. Flashcards are better, but still difficult. Audiobooks are best because they immerse you and your repetitive exercise becomes almost involuntary.

The endorphin rush from exercising seems to be absent -- either due to less rigorous exercise while studying or for some other reason. And that is a huge con.

Nowadays I mostly go to the gym briefly -- which, lucky me, is only in the basement of my apartment building -- to wake myself up from a drowsy state. I've revived myself from two hours of sleep dazes by exercising. That makes exercise useful for studying and allows for exercise to work itself into my schedule naturally without having to make it something on a to-do list.

Also, do not knock the shower studying. 😛 I got a 108 on an exam that no one else could pass the 80's on because I devoted all my spare time, including my shower time, to flashcards. Though, do be warned, I eventually lost an ipod to that practice. D:

I like this forum. Good topic. 😀
 
Study shows that if you try to do both at the same time, it enhances your brain function.
I don't ever consider the time spent on exercise a waste. The efficiency and mood gain always make up for it, a lot.
 
FriendlyFH said:
Study shows that if you try to do both at the same time, it enhances your brain function.
I don't ever consider the time spent on exercise a waste. The efficiency and mood gain always make up for it, a lot.
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At the same time?! I've read plenty of research about how exercise enhances your memory in the long and short term, but I would still think it would be hard to both exercise and study. Googling didn't help me much. Suggest search terms or give link? I am really curious.
 
philosonista said:
At the same time?! I've read plenty of research about how exercise enhances your memory in the long and short term, but I would still think it would be hard to both exercise and study. Googling didn't help me much. Suggest search terms or give link? I am really curious.
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Hm...I heard it somewhere a few years back. Here is what I found after some research:

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2202/14/103

Apparently it isn't conclusive. I guess this is another lesson to dug deeper into the "study" before trying to apply the conclusion.

http://sharpbrains.com/blog/2013/04...bined-effect-of-physical-and-mental-training/
 
Spinach Dip said:
Tried it. But somewhere between laps 3 and 4 my notecards were too wet to read. They also charged me a fee for cleaning the pool afterward. Haven't tried it again since.
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Seriously though... swimming is one of the best exercises if you want to study also. Get your iphone a waterproof cover and review a term you're supposed to know. Swim a lap while memorizing that term. Pick another term. Repeat.

I did something similar when I memorized the Krebs Cycle for biochem class.
 
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In the summer of 2013, my life consisted of cycling and MCAT prep. I listened to EK's Audio Osmosis on my iPhone whilst cycling - and I'd like to think that it worked decently. This was only to review concepts though - as opposed to learning new material.
 
This is the only way I study actually, good topic dude.

I read my materials, make vague sense of it and then record MYSELF telling myself the info on the voicememo app for iPhone. I then go for a run and somehow I end the run knowing all the processes and terms. The key is to record YOURSELF and to also make sure you have comedic relief in the background of your notes (like your roommate screaming at her boyfriend or the like). Anything I don't know I write it down in my Notes app and take care of it later. Az for dayz.
 
GiantFetus said:
This is the only way I study actually, good topic dude.

I read my materials, make vague sense of it and then record MYSELF telling myself the info on the voicememo app for iPhone. I then go for a run and somehow I end the run knowing all the processes and terms. The key is to record YOURSELF and to also make sure you have comedic relief in the background of your notes (like your roommate screaming at her boyfriend or the like). Anything I don't know I write it down in my Notes app and take care of it later. Az for dayz.
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+1.
 
DrPhilster said:
In the summer of 2013, my life consisted of cycling and MCAT prep. I listened to EK's Audio Osmosis on my iPhone whilst cycling - and I'd like to think that it worked decently. This was only to review concepts though - as opposed to learning new material.
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The only things I ended up remembering from EK were the jokes. The concepts never quite sank.
 
DrPhilster said:
"How do you make a hormone? You just don't pay her."

:smack:
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Okay fine. I don't even remember all the jokes anymore. 😛 I stopped using them since...2011. My version was a 1999 one...
 
Read the entirety of HP Lovecraft's work while on a stationary bike. I hate excercising so "focusing" on it just makes me miserable and needed the distraction to keep going.
 
SouthernSurgeon said:
I think you should compartmentalize your time.

Exercise time is for exercise. Study time is for studying.

When you exercise - turn your brain off a bit, listen to some music or whatever, and focus on what you are doing in that moment.

I promise you, you have time to study and time to take care of the other parts of your life.

I knew people in med school who did crazy stuff like laminate flashcards so that they could study in the shower. They were always neurotic and anxious people with horrible time management skills.
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Cray. I mean, you could just skip showering.
 
I tried listening to EK Audio Osmosis once while running and it seemed to make me run much slower.
 
I enjoy long cardio sessions on the elliptical so I listen to lectures while I do it. When I'm at home I set up the HDMI cables and put the videos on my big screen. When I'm at the gym Ill watch them on my Ipad. Unless I'm watching the TV (looking straight ahead) I'd rather just listen. Looking down the whole time gets annoying.

As others have mentioned I really don't recommend this for any other type of exercise. Listening to lectures while weight lifting just kills my intensity.
 
I did a lot of my studying for the MCAT while running. I think part of my success came from the Audio Osmosis tapes the ExamKrackers makes. They were very engaging and fun.

My suggestion - if you can find a way to engage with the material as you exercise, that's great. If you can't do that it will be more difficult to retain any of the information.
 
While on deployment I studied for classes this way. The 12 hour work days were not conducive to reading through phys and histo notes whilst staying awake. So I would do very low intensity workouts on treadmills to keep me awake as I poured through notes.

I plan on buying a treadmill in medschool for this reason.
 
Pretty sure I read a study that concluded that multi-tasking is less efficient than focusing on a single task at a time.
 
You really don't want to do this. I've found that it increases your stress and decreases your effectiveness of you try to put school into everything else you do. Do the best thing for yourself and go running without thinking about school. Your brain needs a break occasionally, and if you don't take it, overload happens.

Take this from someone who works as a volunteer EMT, takes at least 15 credits/semester, has held at least one paying job at all times, juggles multiple ECs and volunteering simultaneously and still makes time to exercise. You will feel A LOT better if you take a break and just run.
 
I like to type out my notes in a slightly larger font so it is easier to read. I tend to do 30 minutes of non-vigorous working out-while studying-and then a more rigorous 30 minutes after that-without studying. I find this method to be most effective in reviewing same day class material since it is already fresh in my mind.
 
This is so, so, so, so, stupid. Just work out and study separately. Chances are you're not doing either of them to 100% capacity if you're doing them simultaneously.

Personally, I need an album when I'm lifting hard. I'm at the gym to decompress not think about school and work. If you're having a problem balancing your time then get a planner; planners work really well.
 
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