help please! i'm studying inefficiently!

You just have to experiment. Obviously this method works for you. Now the question is: is having more "free time"/time for other classes worth it to you if it means your studying methods are less effective and your grades don't stay as high as they currently are?

Everyone studies differently with differing degrees of effectiveness. I personally do not learn well with flashcards...but just because they don't work for me doesn't mean you should give them up if they work for you.

Maybe you can talk with your instructor and see if they have any advice for you, based on what they want you to take away from the class (big-picture v. lots of details, for example)?

I wish I could help. I'm putting in massive hours myself.

One thing that sometimes helps to cut my study time by a little bit is reading a simpler or more concise explanation first. I have this book that is sometimes helpful with that.

That makes it easier to get through the more complex text book faster if I have a general idea in my head already. But you see, that is adding another step so that might not work for someone else.

Well, like you, I'm getting A's, and I'm also putting a massive amount of work into it. I think it's probably just the nature of the beast with this type of class if you want to do really well, unfortunately!

The only thing I do a bit differently is typing out my flashcards and adding them to a flashcard app on my iPod Touch. Then I can review them easily where ever I am - important since I have a daughter in half-day kindergarten right now, and she doesn't let me study any other way. I type much faster than I write though, and I find I learn just as well by typing as I do by writing.

Your method of studying is working cause your making A's in your test. I know I just read the chapters and made notes only (no flashcards) with questions to one side. It took less time and I still got an "A". But it all depends on how it works better for you.

I know how you're feeling because I feel like I do endless work, but the outcome is always good.

I read from the book and take my own notes, summarizing the info from the readings, key terms, etc. I also take notes in class (most of my classes provide power point slides, so I take notes on them, adding details). Closer to the test, I go through ALL of my notes (book and lecture) and highlight important information (even repeating info because repetition helps so much!) and then make a "master study guide" from the highlighted material. Sometimes I just review the material from that over and over, but if I plan enough time I will make flash cards of important terms and I also make up possible questions and answer them on flash cards. These don't really take that long for me because I only pick the most important things or things I'm not getting or can't recall already. Don't waste time on things you can recall and recognize throughout all of your studying with no problem.

Honestly, I think going through all of that will make you retain the information better. If you want to take a risk, maybe cut out writing the notecards and just review your notes over and over, but to me, the writing is what makes me remember things!

Hi WANTTOBEANURSSOON,

I could have written the same post! In fact, I did make this same complaint to my professor and my family for the first several weeks of school. However, as the semester has gone on, I've realized 2 things:

1. The OP's are right when they say that this might be what you have to do in order to keep getting good grades. In the chem class I'm taking now, I've not found anyone who is getting a good grade and isn't studying a ton. (unless they are retaking the class)

2. I've noticed that I can get through the chapters / homework / reading faster now than at the begining of the semester (I'm 5 weeks through a 16 week term)

3. I study in a very similar manner as you, but have added some new techniques to try to help me get through the material faster like:

-learning to use a little bit of speed reading techniques & learning some memory techniques

You're doing the right thing, just keep on keeping on!