my study tips 🕯
i wanna premise that english is not my first language so sorry for any mistakes. this is how I study so take what you think will work for you and leave the rest.
1⋆ lectures — for me, lectures are so important. if i have to learn something new for the first time, listening to somebody’s explaining will allow me to have a general understanding of the topic and i’ll spend less time trying to know what the book is saying.
2⋆ notes — i don’t take notes in class, there’s already enough material that we have to study (i only take notes when the exam is based on them). in class i highlight the book and follow the professor while he’s speaking.
doing this way i can keep my attention and do half of the work in class by understanding already the material. you’ll also save time bc you won’t spend time highlighting when you’re supposed to STUDY the material outside of uni.
3⋆ summaries — if you study law or lit or any other subject that is not math/science related summaries are your besties. my books are of 600 to 1000 pages, ain’t no way i can memorize so much stuff so what i do is 2 type of summaries in which we’ll try to condense all the info
i use the first type of summary to have a general understanding of the course. like i said, i highlighted the book in class so know i already know what’s important and what’s not.
i take a sheet of paper and i write a max 10 lines introduction for every chapter without getting in too much detail. there’s no need to know the details rn.
once you know all the introductions of all the topics in your books it’s time to get into the details by making a second type of summary: i start by first writing the title of the chapter and go paragraph per paragraph looking for keywords, and i list them with their definitions.
If something need more explaining i’ll write more but i keep it short bc i should’ve already understood everything. Even if your books are big this should be a fast stage because like I said you’re not rewriting the whole book just the keywords and their definitions.
the first type of summary i usually write it by hand so i can familiarize even more with the content, the second summary i use my laptop.
4⋆ active recall & spaced repetition— after i finished doing my summaries is time to prove yourself that you know the stuff by using active recall. the way i use it is by covering the sheet of paper or not looking at my laptop and repeating aloud bc my exams are all oral
and my exposition needs to be perfect. for other whom maybe have written exams they can use flashcards or the blurt method (you quickly read over a textbook or exam specification, close the book and write down as much as you know or can remember.
Once you have done this, you reopen the book and compare your notes to the textbook to see what areas you know more about and what areas you need to revise more). i use spaced repetition by repeating everyday what i learned the day before
(no it doesn’t take time bc you’re supposed to know what you’ve learned so if you’re taking time is bc you don’t know it well enough 😗) and everyday i repeat the first type of summary (the one with only the definitions)
this is how i prepare my not-math/science related. if you study something math/science related, i cannot help you. i was good in math in hs but i don’t think those tips will be enough for college/uni students so idk just practice a lot lol
5 focus — to help them focus some people use the pomodoro method (study for 25min-5 min break). personally i hate it, it doesn’t work for me. i use the flow method which mean i try to enter in the flow state: if my mind wants to focus for 4 hours without a break i won’t stop him.
for people who use the pomodoro method the app forest is the one for them, for people like me who love to not interrupt themselves i suggest ypt (is still a timer but it count forward not backwards) it motivates me so much to see the hours go up.
6⋆ i have to admit that sometimes i just can’t focus and then i’ll use the pomodoro method but not for 25 min but 60 min or if i’m really desperate 45 min. I either study for 45min or i don’t study at all. And i usual dont take breaks between 15 to 30 min
7⋆ environment— when i’m in the active recall stage i study at home, but when i have to do the summaries or doing my readings i force myself to go to the library. this type of passive activities get me distracted really easily so i need to stay in a motivating environment.
8⋆ morning and nights — i’m not going to elaborate too much but doing active recall as soon as you wake up and when you’re about to go sleep can make you memorize you’re notes faster.
9⋆ romanticizing studying— as an european law student i need my classical music, my black coffee, red nails and latin quotes to survive my study sessions. find something that makes you wanna study.
10⋆ periods — my periods are not that painful but they really effect my mood and my focus so i wanted to tell the girls to learn more about your menstruation cycle and how it effects our productivity levels.
11⋆ random tips — scan through the book everyday you’ll start remembering even the positions of the keywords, associate chapters with songs, chew gums, lots of water, integrate what you study in your life by discussing with people and doing research on your own
hope it was helpful, this was MY study method and it works for ME. Btw this video helped me so much in developing my current study method: youtu.be
Loading suggestions...