Some Study Tips

Here are a few quick study tips:

• Study with a SMALL group of people that you know work well
  • Don’t study with people that are just going to distract and talk to you the whole time.
  • You can benefit and focus well around other people that are also focused. I enjoy working with people that I know have to be working hard. For example, if you know someone has a major assignment due the next day, they will be a good candidate for hard work.
  • working around people who have their own (different) work to do is really encouraging. You’ll also feel guilty and work harder because everyone else seems to be so focused.
• Work in a cool environment.
  • Layer up so that you can control your body temperature and comfort. Warmth can make you feel tired, so try to stay cool.
• Drink plenty of water while you study.
  • You can get up and refill a water bottle and / or go to the bathroom at regular intervals to stretch and move around.
  • Use these times to quickly stretch out and relax so that you can stay comfortable
• Test Yourself Regularly
  • attempt problems without looking at examples for help
  • use flashcards or a similar method for things you need to memorize
  • build your own practice problems and then answer them without looking at your notes
  • Testing yourself regularly forces you to actually discover what you know and what you don’t. Reading your notes and following examples without challenging yourself is a great way to feel as if you are retaining information without actually doing so  

Context Studying

• Study in a similar environment to that of an exam room.
  • some ambient fan noise
  • face the front of the room
  • find rooms with fluorescent lighting
• Use physical markers as ‘memory locations’
  • For example, if I need to know that a formula is Ax2B, first associate A with the left Top corner of a room and B with the Right bottom corner (2 eye movements away)
• Use body movements to trigger specific memories.
  • Think along the lines of counting out lists on your fingers

Midterm / Exam Time Priorities:

• Keep yourself in good health.
• Sleep properly. Go to bed early, wake up on time. This means NO ALL NIGHTERS, and a consistent sleep pattern.
• Eat enough food. Don’t let it become distracting by either not eating enough and being hungry OR by using it as an excuse to procrastinate
• Don’t quit the gym. If you haven’t started, make sure to take breaks that involve walking around (outside is the best!)
• Plan according to your current level of understanding
• Evaluate the toughest course you’ll have to study for, and allocate plenty of time for that course.
• Focus your efforts on any hints that profs have given (most profs give TONS of hints as to what content will be on tests).
• Look at old midterms and finals (especially ones from the same professor) Study

Remember that when it comes to studying, it is all about quality, not quantity. Spending 2 hours of focused and well planned studying is far more valuable than 8 hours of goofing around on the internet or with your friends.

Be honest with yourself about what you do and do not understand. Don’t waste time reaffirming information you already know.