0
teach me how to study...
Posted by adp
on
6:26 PM
I wish it was as easy as teaching how to 'dougie'...
Eh, but No.
I think as we go through school, grade after grade, we are slowly developing and honing our study habits. Developing and honing being such positive words could also refer to disastrous results. You could develop into a no direction lazy student and hone your procrastination skills instead. Disaster!
So am I bragging about my study habits? Actually no. Being first born I had experience informal homeschooling. My parents sat with me throughout homework. I had a set study time and study a study table. When I outgrew my cutesy study table, I transferred to a 'study area' (which actually is just the dining table). I recall my siblings getting the same treatment as that. But as I can remember my parents were more lenient with them. Maybe they got tired of teaching me they let loose with my sibs. Notably study habits weren't strictly imposed to my younger brother. Being a boy, I think they settle with the excuse that he was meant to be more playful less studios. As you would expect this disadvantaged him big time. School had less and less appeal to him growing up. That and the onset of video games as a distraction.
Back to my study habits of sort. I was a shy child growing up. I think I was very introverted. I like play that is solitary, dolls, homemaking, indoor play rather than the active outdoor games.
It was but natural I guess for my parents to supervise my studies. I also developed a love of reading, which rubbed of to my sister. I love our school's library. It is that one place that brings good memories of school to me all the time. I guess I have to write about that too some time.
I believe reading paves way to learning. That I guess is one of the secrets. School was ok for me grade school and high school. I can say I was above average. I joined contests and graduated with honors. I was accepted too to the prestigious state university on a quota course. Upon entering university, I was really culture shocked. I had unbelievably bright classmates, out of this world subjects and lots and lots of freedom. Also this was the first time I tasted independence. This was an offset at first. I did whatever I wanted, I slept as much as I want, and study only when I want to. I survived but barely. As was always the case, further on to university meant increasing aptitude to cramming and panic. I knew what works best for me too.
I study best when everything is quiet. I like minimal light, it helps me focus. I tend to work on long periods without breaks. Coffee doesn't keep me awake. I do eat but only to pace myself, it seldom is a must. I need to have everything within reach, if I stand up it distracts me big time. Lists help me. I am a tactile learner. I need to write everything again and again, it calms me. One distraction is fatal to me, I have an issue with focus.
With that said, thank God I survived college, and the boards, and another degree and another board...But turns out this survival guide of mine can't soar me through grad school. My Ed subjects are ok, I learned to cram tons and tons of paperwork. I dealt with my own opinions and judgement. I mustered enough courage to survive demos and reports. My Maths on the other hand is disaster.
I had a total of 4 Maths for my eng'g degree, thinking about it now it seems few. Besides that though we had eng'g subjects that are actually math applications. I had around 6 of that, plus well I doubt there was eng'g with no math involved. But my current Maths are 'pure math', those subjects that literally induces nosebleed and those which place mathematicians to a world detached from the norm.
I have to survive, therefore I had to cope. Thankfully my teachers were very fluid. They try to make things bearable one way or the other. But still, if you've been through a math class in UP you'll know how huge the efforts you have to make.
Strategy 1: Record the teacher's voice with the intention of making it an audio book so you can listen to it until it tops your playlist.
Unfortunately my phone is not state of the art and the acoustics in our room is kinda not helping too. I abandoned the strategy also because no matter how many times I listened, it still sounded alien to me. ( why did I ever attempt when I know that I am definitely not an auditory learner)
Insert --> Why did I ever forget about my unconventional tutor?!
I seemed to be running to youtube for much needed tutorials and inspiration. I discovered how much lectures / self videos / tips are housed in this supposedly entertainment site. I think there's even a button now for education or learning? I love the fact that a lot of excellent people share excellent stuff through video. I get to listen to good teachers oceans away, I get to connect to the understanding of others on a specific subject matter, I discover more strategies and examples. In short , my learning is reinforced by youtube. Who said internet is bad for studying? There's only one thing I haven't done. Share my own videos. Hope I could muster enough courage to do that too though.
Strategy 2: Read book 3 times over...or more.
Yes, I had to do the 'more'. I thought of this since one of my friends admits to reading the textbook over and over to master it. He claims that as the secret to his success. So I read whenever, wherever. I had the hard copy and a soft copy on my reader. I'd say it helps in building hope that I can do this.
Strategy 3: Make sure to have excellent notes that you can understand.
I used 6 color pens. Not merely to make my notes bright and cheerful but actually to communicate with my brain better. I used red to write notes that I don't understand or worries me. Green for stuff mentioned by the teacher that aren't actually in the board. Purple to write notes on how I understand the lesson. Blue to underline important points. Pink for reminders and black for whatever it is written on the board. Maybe I have a brain map of a preschooler.
Strategy 4: Know your teacher and classmates.
Size the enemies. Haha. The teacher gives info of what type of tests he might give. How meticulous would he be in scoring etc. Knowledge about your classmates pushes you to do more or to place yourself on the race. Middle should always be safe but if you are competitive then gofor the top.
Strategy 5: Never cram an exam.
Do small reviews once in a while. Do serious review a week prior to the exam. I can't not do an all niter before an exam, at least though I am not 'cramming' I am just 'making sure'.
That's it I think. That sums up how I try to survive school. Don't get me wrong though, I am pro learning. But school are indeed factories, you have to abide to how it is supposedly done and time is a factor. Remember, each of us develops our own game plan. No one else knows what is best for you other than YOU.
tata! Well yeah I have an exam in a week so I should make another one I think...
Strategy 6 : Stay away from the computer!
Eh, but No.
I think as we go through school, grade after grade, we are slowly developing and honing our study habits. Developing and honing being such positive words could also refer to disastrous results. You could develop into a no direction lazy student and hone your procrastination skills instead. Disaster!
So am I bragging about my study habits? Actually no. Being first born I had experience informal homeschooling. My parents sat with me throughout homework. I had a set study time and study a study table. When I outgrew my cutesy study table, I transferred to a 'study area' (which actually is just the dining table). I recall my siblings getting the same treatment as that. But as I can remember my parents were more lenient with them. Maybe they got tired of teaching me they let loose with my sibs. Notably study habits weren't strictly imposed to my younger brother. Being a boy, I think they settle with the excuse that he was meant to be more playful less studios. As you would expect this disadvantaged him big time. School had less and less appeal to him growing up. That and the onset of video games as a distraction.
Back to my study habits of sort. I was a shy child growing up. I think I was very introverted. I like play that is solitary, dolls, homemaking, indoor play rather than the active outdoor games.
It was but natural I guess for my parents to supervise my studies. I also developed a love of reading, which rubbed of to my sister. I love our school's library. It is that one place that brings good memories of school to me all the time. I guess I have to write about that too some time.
I believe reading paves way to learning. That I guess is one of the secrets. School was ok for me grade school and high school. I can say I was above average. I joined contests and graduated with honors. I was accepted too to the prestigious state university on a quota course. Upon entering university, I was really culture shocked. I had unbelievably bright classmates, out of this world subjects and lots and lots of freedom. Also this was the first time I tasted independence. This was an offset at first. I did whatever I wanted, I slept as much as I want, and study only when I want to. I survived but barely. As was always the case, further on to university meant increasing aptitude to cramming and panic. I knew what works best for me too.
I study best when everything is quiet. I like minimal light, it helps me focus. I tend to work on long periods without breaks. Coffee doesn't keep me awake. I do eat but only to pace myself, it seldom is a must. I need to have everything within reach, if I stand up it distracts me big time. Lists help me. I am a tactile learner. I need to write everything again and again, it calms me. One distraction is fatal to me, I have an issue with focus.
With that said, thank God I survived college, and the boards, and another degree and another board...But turns out this survival guide of mine can't soar me through grad school. My Ed subjects are ok, I learned to cram tons and tons of paperwork. I dealt with my own opinions and judgement. I mustered enough courage to survive demos and reports. My Maths on the other hand is disaster.
I had a total of 4 Maths for my eng'g degree, thinking about it now it seems few. Besides that though we had eng'g subjects that are actually math applications. I had around 6 of that, plus well I doubt there was eng'g with no math involved. But my current Maths are 'pure math', those subjects that literally induces nosebleed and those which place mathematicians to a world detached from the norm.
I have to survive, therefore I had to cope. Thankfully my teachers were very fluid. They try to make things bearable one way or the other. But still, if you've been through a math class in UP you'll know how huge the efforts you have to make.
Strategy 1: Record the teacher's voice with the intention of making it an audio book so you can listen to it until it tops your playlist.
Unfortunately my phone is not state of the art and the acoustics in our room is kinda not helping too. I abandoned the strategy also because no matter how many times I listened, it still sounded alien to me. ( why did I ever attempt when I know that I am definitely not an auditory learner)
Insert --> Why did I ever forget about my unconventional tutor?!
I seemed to be running to youtube for much needed tutorials and inspiration. I discovered how much lectures / self videos / tips are housed in this supposedly entertainment site. I think there's even a button now for education or learning? I love the fact that a lot of excellent people share excellent stuff through video. I get to listen to good teachers oceans away, I get to connect to the understanding of others on a specific subject matter, I discover more strategies and examples. In short , my learning is reinforced by youtube. Who said internet is bad for studying? There's only one thing I haven't done. Share my own videos. Hope I could muster enough courage to do that too though.
Strategy 2: Read book 3 times over...or more.
Yes, I had to do the 'more'. I thought of this since one of my friends admits to reading the textbook over and over to master it. He claims that as the secret to his success. So I read whenever, wherever. I had the hard copy and a soft copy on my reader. I'd say it helps in building hope that I can do this.
Strategy 3: Make sure to have excellent notes that you can understand.
I used 6 color pens. Not merely to make my notes bright and cheerful but actually to communicate with my brain better. I used red to write notes that I don't understand or worries me. Green for stuff mentioned by the teacher that aren't actually in the board. Purple to write notes on how I understand the lesson. Blue to underline important points. Pink for reminders and black for whatever it is written on the board. Maybe I have a brain map of a preschooler.
Strategy 4: Know your teacher and classmates.
Size the enemies. Haha. The teacher gives info of what type of tests he might give. How meticulous would he be in scoring etc. Knowledge about your classmates pushes you to do more or to place yourself on the race. Middle should always be safe but if you are competitive then gofor the top.
Strategy 5: Never cram an exam.
Do small reviews once in a while. Do serious review a week prior to the exam. I can't not do an all niter before an exam, at least though I am not 'cramming' I am just 'making sure'.
That's it I think. That sums up how I try to survive school. Don't get me wrong though, I am pro learning. But school are indeed factories, you have to abide to how it is supposedly done and time is a factor. Remember, each of us develops our own game plan. No one else knows what is best for you other than YOU.
tata! Well yeah I have an exam in a week so I should make another one I think...
Strategy 6 : Stay away from the computer!
