Studying tips

[Cromulent]

I'm slowly working through things to set up a small business but it requires a lot of learn about subjects I know little about. I'm notoriously bad at concentrating on things and not getting distracted so I was looking for some advice.

Here is my current tactic. Get a book in paperback form, a pen and a notepad and take notes while I read the book. I also have some of those small cards that you can write simple things on to remember (equations etc) and then I read over my notes multiple times so that I remember them. I find I can't work without music on though.

Any hints would be highly appreciated.

 

[SpellowHouse]

You are about right.

For exams, what I used to do is read the material three times. On the first pass I would attempt to write the major points in my own language and keep going until you are happy that you understand it. This is to ensure you do understand what you have read and you aren't just reading it without taking it in. Once you have done that then move on to the next item. Go back and revisit the same thing two more times. I think it was once a week later and again two weeks after that. By the third pass it will be fixed in your mind for a few months. There is an actual science of doing this, and you should look it up. The last time I had to remember anything was a long time ago and the science has probably moved on since then.

 

[Cromulent]

You are about right.

For exams, what I used to do is read the material three times. On the first pass I would attempt to write the major points in my own language and keep going until you are happy that you understand it. This is to ensure you do understand what you have read and you aren't just reading it without taking it in. Once you have done that then move on to the next item. Go back and revisit the same thing two more times. I think it was once a week later and again two weeks after that. By the third pass it will be fixed in your mind for a few months. There is an actual science of doing this, and you should look it up. The last time I had to remember anything was a long time ago and the science has probably moved on since then.

Thank you! That sounds like a good plan.

 

[dowie]

Go to a library with some study areas, isolate yourself from other distractions, other than toilet breaks you have no excuses to just get up and make the 5th cup of tea of the day or to just go and check something else in the house etc..

 

[dirtychinchilla]

I use an app called flow. I do 25 minutes of work then take a 5 minute break, and every two hours take a 20 minute break (realistically, I don't often do a two hour stint).

As far as remembering stuff is concerned, I think it's best to make use of what you've learned. I don't remember stuff otherwise.