Hi, I just wanted to know what study habits do you use that help you the most. (i might decide to steal them):roll
The story behind me is that I have a hard time getting in the studying groove. I guess I'm lazy! I'm in the 2nd part of anatomy and physiology. I am good at studying for the lab material but when it comes to learning the textbook stuff, I get lost. I guess the lab material is easier since you can actually see what you are learning and there is a specific answer(something you don't have to go digging in the books to find if you are lucky!)
I am a pneumonic master...I try to come up with pnemonics for the large things that I have to remember. Just last week I had one for blow flow of a red blood cell travelling from the left leg to the right carotid artery...it was long sentence to remember, but it helped me out a ton when I had my exam...funny, it works for me...so I'll keep using it!
I'm out of school now but I used to do a quickie (like 5-10 minutes, just the paragraph headings) read-through of the assigned material without stopping to go into it in any depth. When I had the overall picture of what to focus on I would go back and read the chapter for real, highlight key phrases, jot questions, etc.
What works for me is taping my lectures and reciting my notes into tape recorder. As I clean the house, drive the car, walk to class, do the laundry, ...I'm listening. I write out all the questions I can think that she could possibly ask and then I put the answers down. About a week to a few days before the test, my daughter asks me all the questions. Whatever I get wrong, I study again. Might be a bit much but its worth all the time I put in. I don't like seeing anything less than a 90.
I use the resources that come with the book on the internet. Holes has study guides and there are tons of labeling exercises and more. It may be worth going to the site even if you use a different book.
I have found two things to be helpful that have actually surprised me. First, a friend of mine who just got her ph.d told me her secret to keeping her sanity and studying for board exams. She said to only read your text book once. She said absolutely do not go back and re-read it unless trying to understand a specific item. She said read it once and take notes, make your outline. Study and re-study the outline. Do not study the text. It's too much and you're wasting your time. That's what she told me, and so far she's right. Study your notes not your book.
Second, I have an algebra class with an instructor that doesn't speak English and doesn't know how to teach. So rather than wasting 6 hours per week sitting there steaming, I study my biology. I can't do it visibly (small classroom) so all I can do is get out my flashcards hidden in my algebra book, and re-write and re-write them over and over testing myself checking concepts and definitions. I've been amazed how well that works for me.
when i took psyc 101, we covered the brain in great detail. to ensure we learned it, my professor told us we would be playing "the brain game" for extra credit points, and to make DETAILED OUTLINES of the brain chapter, which we could use during the quiz-show style game. I wanted to maximize my extra credit, so i took her at her word and was meticulous in my outline making. not only did my group win the game, but a year later when i took a&p, i remembered almost everything and aced the brain test without having to kill myself studying. but i digress...
moral: a good outline can help you assimilate the material, and aid in retention.
I'm taking Chemistry this semester. The course is very well laid out and a chapter outline was provided by the professor so I try to use them as pre-tests.
When I sit down to do my textbook reading, I first define all the terms, writing them down helps to commit them to memory. Then I read the material, afterwards I go through it again using the study guide outline as a guide and create possible test questions and try to answer them. I try to do as much of this as possible before the lecture so that I can ask questions if I need to. I also review the notes and questions everyday, I know some people aren't able to do this everyday, but I would recommend doing it at least a few times a week. And then I study for a few hours a few days before the test.
This is the first semester that I've used this method, don't know why I didn't think of this before. LOL My first Chem test I got an A :) I'm using this same study method for my Psy. class and have my first test this week so I'll see if it worked too.
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
this is what the experts have to say:
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/checklis.html - this is a study skill checklist for you to go through and inventory your study habits from virginia polytechnic institute and state university. at the bottom of the form is the link to "study skills self-help information" which is all kinds of information to help you with areas you were weak on in the checklist. if you want to bypass the checklist and just go into the information section, go to this link http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html
http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/accditg/ssindex.htm - strategies for success, an online primer and tutorial on how to study for students from the alamo community college. this is a pretty extensive resource with links on the right side of the page to click into the following subjects: learning styles, note taking, memory techniques, time management, overcoming procrastination, sq3r (a method for getting the most out of reading your textbooks), study tips, critical thinking, preparing for tests, and oral presentations. also, take a look at the faq's (frequently asked questions).
want2banurse06
2 Posts
I am a pneumonic master...I try to come up with pnemonics for the large things that I have to remember. Just last week I had one for blow flow of a red blood cell travelling from the left leg to the right carotid artery...it was long sentence to remember, but it helped me out a ton when I had my exam...funny, it works for me...so I'll keep using it!