Tips for Studying for long periods of time

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

isthatcheese

New Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2010
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Anyone here have tips for hardcore studying; studying for 6 to 8 hours straight without loosing concentration? For example i saw a post on the internet by a medical student that stated she would break up her long periods of studying by sectioning it into different parts. 1 hour reading ahead, 1 hour writing, 1 hour review what she had problems with, and repeat.

Do you have a method for studying for long periods of time so that you don't loose concentration?

Or any study tips period?

Members don't see this ad.
 
Anyone here have tips for hardcore studying; studying for 6 to 8 hours straight without loosing concentration? For example i saw a post on the internet by a medical student that stated she would break up her long periods of studying by sectioning it into different parts. 1 hour reading ahead, 1 hour writing, 1 hour review what she had problems with, and repeat.

Do you have a method for studying for long periods of time so that you don't loose concentration?

Or any study tips period?

Honestly I'd say the best thing is to take 10 minute breaks every 1 to 1 1/2 hours. While I can't remember the original source, I read somewhere that really the usual max attention span for humans is around an hour, so study for an hour, then go do something else for a little bit and come back to it. I've found that this works best for me because otherwise I just end up losing focus. Also, I don't mean "study for 50 minutes at your desk, then go on Facebook at your desk for 10 minutes" I mean literally get up from your study area and go somewhere else for a bit. That's just me though 🙂
 
I find variation quite helpful, maybe the most important thing when trying to study for several hours straight. For example I'm studying for the MCAT and did 1/2 a physics chapter, 1/2 chem, 1/2 bio and then finished the physics chapter.

Also, I write out my schedule with the times I think it will take to accomplish whatever tasks I need to do.

Eg

9-10 1/2 Bio Chapter
10-12 Chem Passages
12-1230 eat
1230-300 1/2 Bio Chapter and passages

And I do that for most of the day. I cross things off as I finish them and then circle things that aren't done by the times I thought they were going to be done that I need to get back to later. It is good to be realistic with such a schedule and maybe even overly generous, giving you more time than you really think you need. It is always better to find that you are ahead of schedule instead of behind.

Furthermore, make sure to take small breaks every 50-90 min for 10-15 (make sure you don't let your breaks turn into huge interruptions in your studying!). Schedule your 50-90 blocks like I showed you above.

I find this to be a good time management strategy and it allows me to study for many hours without feeling tired. The biggest keys are variety in material and breaks.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Honestly I'd say the best thing is to take 10 minute breaks every 1 to 1 1/2 hours. While I can't remember the original source, I read somewhere that really the usual max attention span for humans is around an hour, so study for an hour, then go do something else for a little bit and come back to it. I've found that this works best for me because otherwise I just end up losing focus. Also, I don't mean "study for 50 minutes at your desk, then go on Facebook at your desk for 10 minutes" I mean literally get up from your study area and go somewhere else for a bit. That's just me though 🙂

I agree with this. If you are really studying for long hours, routinely, you need to give your body a break as well. I don't know about you but if I'm not careful my neck and shoulders and back get sore and this limits my ability to continue to work more than mental fatigue.
 
that seems to be my biggest problem. I sit down. crack the book open. Read and then...........hahahahah I'm lost. My mind goes off to all kinds of other things :laugh:😡🙁 oh Lord. If I don't get serious soon....,
 
I agree with this. If you are really studying for long hours, routinely, you need to give your body a break as well. I don't know about you but if I'm not careful my neck and shoulders and back get sore and this limits my ability to continue to work more than mental fatigue.

wow. I wish I could study all the time and make my neck and back hurt. I'll take pride in that. I studied to my neck started to hurt. Lol. If the concentration thing wasn't a problem, I would study without breaks. Day in day out. Only break would be like working out or jogging or something. But concentration. too many "unnecessary" fantasy's.
 
My posts from the MCAT forum:

The Cliff Notes version: Don't bring your laptop. Turn that phone off. You're not that important. No one cares if they can't talk to you for the next three hours. No one's day be any worse if they don't get the wisdom of your facebook status update: 'OMG Studying Biochem..zzzzzz'.

1) Your individual scores and composite score
PS=15 VR=12 WS=R BS=12 Composite=39R

2) The study method used for each section

Purchased all AAMC Tests. Start test 1. Take it under exam conditions, at the same time of my scheduled exam. Spend two and a half days (12 hour days, no facebook, email, or wasting time..actual 12 hours of studying) going over every single problem, whether I got it right or wrong. Every question I got wrong, or I guessed at all on, I would find the chapter in my book and do problems until I got five right in a row. Start test 2. Repeat for all 8 AAMC Tests.

3) What materials you used for each section(Kaplan, TPR, Examkrackers, AAMC, etc)
My coursebooks and AAMC explanations.

4) Which practice tests did you use?
All AAMC exams.

5) What was your undergraduate major?
Math

6) Any other tips you may have for those of us who still have this test lurking over us?
Pay attention in your classes. The single best advice I can give you. Seriously. Learn the material right. Studying will be many times easier.

7) How long did you study for the MCAT?
Approximately 30 days. Averaged a test every three days or thereabouts. Would take it in the morning, then spend the next 2.5 days going over it and then taking another. 12 hours a day, with Sundays off. And the day before the exam off.

Actually study. Don't zone our or check facebook. I turned my cell phone OFF for the day except for lunch time. I'm not that important. No one will die if they can't reach me until 8pm. (I start at 7AM sharp, and go until 8PM, with about half an hour for lunch and two fifteen minute breaks). I'm pretty good at concentrating for long periods.

My exam scores:

3: 32 (VR 11, BS 10, PS 11)
4: 32 (VR 11, BS 11, PS 10)
5: 35 (VR 12, BS 12, PS 11)
6: 36 (VR 11, BS 12, PS 13)
7: 38 (VR 12, BS 13, PS 13)
8: 39 (VR 13, BS 12, PS 14)
9: 40 (VR 12, BS 13, PS 15)
10: 39 (VR 12, BS 12, PS 15)

My last practice AAMC was exactly the same as my actual AAMC. 1 point improvement in my VR, 2 points in my BS and 4 points in my PS, for a total of 7 point improvement from my first practice. PS was the easiest to improve due to my major so I already "knew" it and this just refreshed my memory, so it was quick gains as it all came back to me. Biology was slower in improving because it's not my major and I actually had to learn some stuff for the first time. VR not really much of an improvement.

Textbooks. I don't trust the test-prep materials, though I know many people swear by them and it helps them. To me, I want to learn it the 'right' way, including the theoretical basis for the explanation. It might be a personal thing, but I just retain it better and understand it more if I spend the extra 30 minutes going over the textbook explanation.

Truthfully, I think the main difference, regardless of what source you use, is to actually concentrate instead of tweeting or going on fmylife or SDN all day. Same applies for undergrad studying. And secondly, paying attention to the 'why' of a question and why you got it right. And making sure, even when you got the question right, that you followed the appropriate line of logic. I only got a 12 on the BS, but I only took two bio courses and I think if I had studied an extra month, I could have improved that score more as well. PS lends itself more easier to that line of improvement since there is less of just 'knowing' and more of applying.
 
My tip is: Don't. I used to do a lot of passive studying when I did marathon study sessions. Now I break up study sessions into half hour or three quarter hours sessions max. I found that if I told myself I only had a certain amount of time to get things done, I was much more focused and accomplished a lot more.
 
that seems to be my biggest problem. I sit down. crack the book open. Read and then...........hahahahah I'm lost. My mind goes off to all kinds of other things :laugh:😡🙁 oh Lord. If I don't get serious soon....,

LOL me and you both pal. You people who are able to study for that long should be thankful. It's a gift.
This is usually what's going on in my brain; :banana:
 
This is usually what's going on in my brain; :banana:

Bahahaha! Same here. Somehow I managed to score in the 96th percentile of the MCAT with that goddamned VengaBoys song from the 90s stuck in my head. Why that song? Dunno. I hadn't thought about that song a single time since it made me throw up 30 seconds after it was first played on the radio. It was probably the most annoying thing my self-sabotaging subconscious could come up with.

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
 
Exercise!!!!

Five hours of studying with an hour of exercise is shown to have better results than six hours of studying. If I find the source I'll post it. Personally, I think it works wonders!!!
 
Suncrusher I hate people like you. My friend didn't study andwas outstanding on his SATs. but I've been getting by and by all those years of school so hopefully that run doesn't end here in college. Med school here I come!
 
the trick is to not look for tips man, just get it done.

think of soviet work camps or some poor saps workin in coal mines then slap yourself in the face for complaining and get it done
 
My posts from the MCAT forum:

The Cliff Notes version: Don't bring your laptop. Turn that phone off. You're not that important. No one cares if they can't talk to you for the next three hours. No one's day be any worse if they don't get the wisdom of your facebook status update: 'OMG Studying Biochem..zzzzzz'.

Not going to lie, that advice was the shiz.
 
Top