Studying....

[Milky Bar Kid]

I hate studying. Anyone got any tips to stop me going insane but allow me to learn a whole lotta stuff as quickly and efficiently as possible?

So far, I am studying for about half an hour to forty five mins before a ten fifteen minute break. I am repeatedly writing out the stuff, and saying it aloud, before then writing it, or saying it, without looking at the notes.

Has anyone got any more efficient ways of learning stuff? It's not my preferred method of learning, if I hear stuff taught in a classroom or lecture, I seem to soak it in like a sponge and can regurgitate no bother but just reading it and writing it is taking a bit longer......

[martin15s]

some can and some can't - never mind

[Jackie_Black]

If i remember for a teaching lecture when i was training 10 years ago.

you remember 10% if you hear it, 40% if you read it and 70% if you write it.

Also you generally only pay attention properly for about 30 minutes as an adult, for kids its supposed to go off their age that's why you can't speak in lessons for long!

If you have some time to study work for half an hour write yourself 10 questions based on what you've studied, go for a break and answer them when you get back. Methodical and frequent assessment works wonders!!

[Jamesy D]

Currently studying for my A-levels - I'm hating it so much it makes me want to cry I actually look forward to going to work at the moment :D Only thing I can suggest is find something that works and helps you remember stuff and isn't too cripplingly boring :)

Personally I'm trialling reading out my notes then listening to them as I go to sleep. Sounds crazy but seems to be working a little.

[aarond]

uni exams.... hating it especially as all my friends are finished and going out :(

[martin15s]

Currently studying for my A-levels - I'm hating it so much it makes me want to cry I actually look forward to going to work at the moment :D Only thing I can suggest is find something that works and helps you remember stuff and isn't too cripplingly boring :)

Personally I'm trialling reading out my notes then listening to them as I go to sleep. Sounds crazy but seems to be working a little.

recording your notes and then placing the machine beneath your pillow is a very good way of retaining information. Likewise, on a cd or MP3 in the car instead of music.....this helped me through my exams to Inspector - good luck with the A levels.

[Bluepete]

Sgts exams?

Pete ;)

[Milky Bar Kid]

No Pete. Something entirely different.

The way I am doing it seems to be working but it is just sooooo god damn mind numbingly boring. The only thing about the recording idea is that I HATE listening to myself on a recording. So embarrassing!

[Milky Bar Kid]

some can and some can't - never mind

Don't really get what you mean by this.

[Jamesy D]

Don't really get what you mean by this.

Find someone whose voice you like, get them to record it, listen to it :D enjoyment and learning!

[Bri w]

To music. Whenever I hear Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars I remember Day of the Triffids I learned for my A-levels in '75.

[thulfi]

Studying is one of the dullest things you can do, ever! I hate it. Here are some tips I find help me get through it:


1. Listen to music whilst working - it makes it much less boring. Some people can't do this but if you can it helps.

2. Lets say you learn a topic and manage to make notes on two sides of a4. Learn it, then rewrite it even more condensed with less words and memory triggers. Keep doing this over and over - it helps with the learning process and eventually you've condensed it nice and good. If you forgot any specific details just quickly refer to the more detailed notes you made.

3. Make a 'the stuff I always forget' paper. When reading through your notes, the things that you just keep forgetting, write them down on a seperate piece of paper and look over it more times - then the stuff you always forget you wont.

4. Right funny things/swear words in your notes, makes for easier reading and wakes your mind up when you're switching off reading them.

5. Make notes with those multicoloured red/blue/black/green bic pens - much easier reading a page where words are in different colours than just one.

6. Take a break when it's just not sinking in anymore.

7. Vary topics up, helps the brain stay switched on.

8. Vitamins!

9. When you're thinking what's the point, just think of that awesome feeling of passing and doing well, or even worse that horrid feeling of failing.


I've had a painful 6yrs at uni (almost done) where it's basically an 11month holiday followed by 1month of serious cramming. It's never nice and an awful period, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Gd luck!

[skidmarx]

Have you had a look at mind maps yet? May depend on what your studying but they can help if you've got a lot of stuff to remember and it's all related. Tony Buzan has written loads of books on it, probably seems like it's yet another thing to learn, but if your good at remembering things visually it may work for you. Good luck!

[appollo1]

I hate studying. Anyone got any tips to stop me going insane but allow me to learn a whole lotta stuff as quickly and efficiently as possible?


keep off Facebook and as it is a distraction to your studies :D

[maxinc]

The way I am doing it seems to be working but it is just sooooo god damn mind numbingly boring

This actually means you are doing a pretty good job. The harder it feels, the more effort your brain puts into it and is more likely that some of the information to be "wired in". Think it as working out session for your brain.

I think repetition is key. I usually quickly scan over the course I need to learn to get a general idea of what is about, then I speed read it once more to add further details. Then I change the subject to something different and come back later for a third, more thorough reading. If I have time, I speed read / scan over one more time later.

Mind-body connection is not a myth. Make sure you are well hydrated, don't eat heavy foods (like burgers or minced pies) as they will force a lot of blood to your digestive system and reduce the oxygen to your brain. Use a quiet, well aerated and bright room with as few distractions as possible. Practice relaxation as it will help put your mind into a state where it will accept new information very easily.

[Messie]

some can and some can't - never mind


Not a very helpful or supportive comment, eh?


Thulfi's post has the most useful stuff in it. Lots of different tips to try and any one or more of them may work for you.

I can only add that to find ways of making the material meaningful to you helps you to remember it well. I don't know what you're studying but if you can somehow turn it into a real life situation or person it can help a lot.

In the end, the motivation to stick at it is the toughest part. I'm seeing my students through their A Levels at the moment and I know how hard it is. Just remember it will all be worth it in the end.

[The Idle Biker]

recording your notes and then placing the machine beneath your pillow is a very good way of retaining information. Likewise, on a cd or MP3 in the car instead of music.....this helped me through my exams to Inspector - good luck with the A levels.

AWW no not another copper, what is it about this forum, honestly?;)

In terms of studying nothing to add to those other posts, other than remember you're not the only one, most people find it a slog, unless you're really lucky and enjoy the subject you're studying. Being determined helps me. Set your stall out and don't stop until you've done what you set out to.

[-Ralph-]

If i remember for a teaching lecture when i was training 10 years ago.

you remember 10% if you hear it, 40% if you read it and 70% if you write it.

Sure it wasn't more than 10 years ago? ;)

This has been a problem in teaching since schools began, and effected me quite badly during my years at school, until I was moved to a private school specifically because my parents became a paying customer and the school promised to put in a lot of one to one time, and change the way I was taught. My parents knew that this was what was needed as they knew their own child, my mother didn't work and spent 24 hours a day with me, and they could teach me anything they wanted to and I picked it up with ease, but doctors and teachers alike wouldn't accept that they knew better. I had some mental disabilities caused by a very premature birth and at the age of 10 the state school system insisted I was thick and would never pass an O Level. 3 months into my first year at secondary school, I was moved to private schooling. I got 9 GCSE's, 4 A levels and a University Degree, and now at 35 years of age I hold a senior position in a large corporate. Still today there are some extremely intelligent kids, who are bored, frustrated and are getting poor grades at school, which impacts their motivation, and makes their grades and behavior worse, because they don't fit into they way the other 30 kids in the class are being taught. I was known by my teachers as a daydreamer, and someone who shouldn't be sat anywhere near a window, but it was because they way I was being taught, I simply zoned out!

To greatly simplify, everyone is different in the way they learn, and teachers are now taught to look for an recognise the VAK (Visual Auditory Kinesthetic) ratios that apply to each individual child, and they are not fixed percentages that apply to all.

The best advice I could give to MBK is figure out 'how' you learn best and take advantage of that. There is no point spending hours reading, if it's not sinking in. I am a Kinesthetic learner, so I'd learn much quicker by scanning through the text to get the jist, attempting the exercises at the end of the chapter first, and trying to figure it out for myself, then referring back to the text as and when I get stuck, once I've done the exercises, I can read the text properly, and it all falls into place. I do a lot of exams at work in order to keep technical certifications up to date, and I always do the study for it by getting the software on a laptop in front of me, and studying the textbooks by starting at the back of each chapter.

[andrewsmith]

Nic everyone is different

Studying is one of the dullest things you can do, ever! I hate it. Here are some tips I find help me get through it:


1. Listen to music whilst working - it makes it much less boring. Some people can't do this but if you can it helps.

2. Lets say you learn a topic and manage to make notes on two sides of a4. Learn it, then rewrite it even more condensed with less words and memory triggers. Keep doing this over and over - it helps with the learning process and eventually you've condensed it nice and good. If you forgot any specific details just quickly refer to the more detailed notes you made.

3. Make a 'the stuff I always forget' paper. When reading through your notes, the things that you just keep forgetting, write them down on a seperate piece of paper and look over it more times - then the stuff you always forget you wont.

4. Right funny things/swear words in your notes, makes for easier reading and wakes your mind up when you're switching off reading them.

5. Make notes with those multicoloured red/blue/black/green bic pens - much easier reading a page where words are in different colours than just one.

6. Take a break when it's just not sinking in anymore.

7. Vary topics up, helps the brain stay switched on.

8. Vitamins!

9. When you're thinking what's the point, just think of that awesome feeling of passing and doing well, or even worse that horrid feeling of failing.


I've had a painful 6yrs at uni (almost done) where it's basically an 11month holiday followed by 1month of serious cramming. It's never nice and an awful period, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Gd luck!

+1 On this, i struggle to revise as my brain doesn't like it. I've to cram the whole lot, then have a break after around 1 hour

[Jackie_Black]

Sure it wasn't more than 10 years ago? ;)


To greatly simplify, everyone is different in the way they learn, and teachers are now taught to look for an recognise the VAK (Visual Auditory Kinesthetic) ratios that apply to each individual child, and they are not fixed percentages that apply to all.



No mate it was actually nine years ago!

I thought at the time it was a bit weird. Luckily I teach a practical subject so there is minimal talking and maximum doing. I know about all that VAK stuff and yes every single kid is different, the only thing is providing different learning for 24 different kids 27 times a week is a mind melter!
I'm not one of those chalky talky teachers i prefer to do a quick demo and let the kids make stuff, much more fun!

[Quedos]

Currently studying for my A-levels - I'm hating it so much it makes me want to cry I actually look forward to going to work at the moment :D Only thing I can suggest is find something that works and helps you remember stuff and isn't too cripplingly boring :)

Personally I'm trialling reading out my notes then listening to them as I go to sleep. Sounds crazy but seems to be working a little.

Thats what I done for my finals and it worked a treat its amazing how much you actually learn and remember.

I used to set myself questions on the stuff i would listen to the night before.
I also set questions on stuff that i would study for two hours and go back to it later
Study timetable used to be Previous nights questions, X study for 2 hours (reading writing and setting questions) break then Y study for 2 hours, questions for X subject then break. Normally then questions for Y study after break. then record that nights notes.

[ant-g]

When I study, or try to study, I write down everything on that particular topic (e.g. assault; I'm a law student) on one side of A4. Winston Churchill never looked at anything unless it was on one side of paper; if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me :)