Preferred studying method?

[Zeric]

Honestly, the form of studying I find helps me the most, is just doing it(Aka studying for math do math problems or etc). Given, that doesn't work for like half of the things you can study, but it works best for me in those situations. Otherwise I'd have to toss my vote to flashcards for memorization. Seeing the same thing over and over again help so much, and you get only the needed information vs reading/re-reading the book, where you get all information whether you need it or not.

[Mayareira]

Any method is fine, as long I'm away from a computer.

computer = source of infinite distraction.

This, sadly. It is a source of infinite information but its so damn easy to get distracted.

[Demosthenes]

I cannot study. I is pretty safe to say that I cannot remember ever studying. I pay close attention the first time around for that reason. I aced tests, quizzes and exams with ease.

[Darus Grey]

I just cheat.

I have a very strong eidetic memory, so I just read the book or my notes in my head during a test.

Not technically cheating, but it always felt like it.

[Uzor]

I can learn virtually anything by just reading. Pulled off 90s in a couple of calculus courses just by reading a solutions manual.

I always like to explain things to people or talk about them because it's a great way to confirm you actually understand the material.

This is how I do too. I find talking to people about what I'm supposed to learn, or arguing/discussing it with others, is the best way, as it requires you to reflect over what you read/learned and put it to use etc.

[0ni0n]

adderall

Where do you guys get yours? I can't seem to get a hold of any on campus. Is there any reliable site out there that sells it? I am gearing up for GRE so this would really help.

[Telamond]

This has worked great for me for chemistry.

1. Take good (aka understandable) notes from class.
2. Rewrite notes into sentences. Mark words and concepts that you do not understand from notes.
3. Look up these concepts in your course book. If you still don't understand it, google it, if you still can't find the info, bug the lecturer.

If the course has a lot of concepts that's pure facts, like Analytical Chemistry. Try doing mind maps to try to see the "big picture". Try to view your notes, and start asking yourself questions like: Why does this happen? followed with: What kind of model can you relate this to?

If the course has a lot of things where you need a lot of practice, do flash cards or the questions in the end of each chapter.

Also: Try to sit somewhere where internet is like 30 mins walk distance away (example: library - home) that way, you don't get urges to take breaks and spoil your focus...

[_chuchu]

^ Except that newer libraries and/or tech heavy campuses have wireless everywhere

[Zalius]

Ask a BG mod to ban you for a week. It's worked for others!

this is correct (zing)

[Penthesilea]

maths/chem problems: do the assigned problems and then do some nonassigned ones.

bio/fact based courses: read your notes, pay attention in class, reread your notes and supplement with the text

whatever you're going to school for, I'd suggest making sure you're mastering this information. not to say that you need to retain everything, but rather that you need to understand the fundamentals and trends so you're not always wasting time referencing things at work.

[The Blackrose]

Depends on the course.

If it was a math/physics course, I'd pick problems out at random and solve them. If you have someone else who knows what they are doing, or maybe even has a clue, compare notes/answers with them to see if you're on the right track. The instructor sometimes doesn't mind taking a look either and can point out other things.

If it was a course that was more reading intensive, like psychology, I read the material over and over. Every now and then I would stop, attempt to recollect what I just read and then continue. I'd do this for about 3 nights or so, depending on the length of the material to be browsed. Writing out some personal notes can help even further.

Area of study didn't matter too much. In my first years I stuck to the dorms just out of years. My last two years of college I found myself in a local coffeeshop and got along just fine.

[Azalee]

I am currently taking classes for Medical Billing & Coding. We have 8 modules, each is 20 days. Within each Module is 4, 5 day units. Each unit we learn something new, starting with Terminology, and 4 assignments out of various text books. The 4th day of the module we do a terminology test, and the 5th day we have a theory test.

Terminology is never a problem for me. I make a set of flash cards the night before and study them in the morning before the test, and I can easily get 100%.

The theory test is a different story. If my instructor doesn't cover the material during the week I do a lot worse on tests. Just hearing her verbally go over the stuff we read makes keeping it all in my brain that much easier. Otherwise, I just skim the main points in the text book the morning before the test. My first mod I got 89% on every single test, and this mod I have gotten 97%-99%'s... I think that is mostly due to the fact that I am learning what types of questions are being asked.

[ozz]

Belle, read this Top 10 Colleges Where Students Rarely Study - MSN Encarta

then go back to not studying. Doing what everyone else does (or doesn't) is working great for me and my 4 atm.

[Correction]

Ahahaha ye olde southern education isn't what it's cracked up to be huh...

[Lbelle]

It's funny UF and UMD are the top two on that list, considering they were also my top two college choices. Also I've been studying tyvm, I just was wondering if anyone had better ways to study than I do, but it seems there are no tricks involved besides aderall .

[0ni0n]

Isn't UF notorious for being one of the top 5 party schools where people indulge themselves with booz and chicks all year around?

[Elesirdur]

Isn't UF notorious for being one of the top 5 party schools where people indulge themselves with booz and chicks all year around?

You almost seem to say that as if it's a bad thing.

[Chicomagiko]

This thread is relevant to my interest since I'll be transferring out by Jan of next year. UF is looking like a blast though I'll be 27 by then (probably too old for anything). Also, study at night and go to bed afterwards is how I study(if i study). Never scored less than 92% in all of my courses last fall semester(took 22units in 6 classes).

[Lbelle]

Isn't UF notorious for being one of the top 5 party schools where people indulge themselves with booz and chicks all year around?

I think it was #1 this year, but you have to take into consideration that we did win the football natl championships so we had like 3 days of no school and all Gainesville wide partying practically. Anyway, back on topic nao .

[Marcicus]

I always study with friends from the class, usually we'll just go to KEP (a building where most of our classes are) and steal a room and just use the huge whiteboard and write down everything and just work out problems/note take as we go over things. Sometimes we skip this step entirely and just end up going to someone's apartment and studying there while snacking/watching youtube. Oh yeah, we always study the night before, it hasn't failed yet.

Last study session for example, Wednesday night, test is on Thursday, at friend Christen's apartment on a couch that makes you not want to move ever again. We go through a review list the prof made up discussing/answering the topics, as we go through Christen records everything on her laptop. We stop lots throughout and make snacks/talk etc. and by the end we are still relaxed, ready for the exam and have a study guide to look over before we go to bed/class.

I think the more relaxed you are the better you do. I'm totally relaxed when I'm at my own or friends apartments and it keeps my head clear, and ready to take in information. Also, teaching the material helps a ton too, for lots of classes I end up teaching my friends stuff or explaining it. For Diff EQ I taught my entire study group and I made perfect scores on every test, except one due to a careless integration.

You mean something like the integral of 1 is -1? :D

As others have said, it depends on what I'm studying. Mathematical problems, I just take a few out of previous assignments and work them out. With Engineering, if there's certain schematics or parts I don't understand, I'll use a program called PSpice that allows me to analyze it and I'll go on the web or look in a book to try to come up with a solution.

For other classes, I usually get by by just remembering what was discussed in lecture.