how to study better


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i'm in first year univ. and i've got my midterms going these days, and i don't seem to do as well as i'd like to, so obviously there's something not right in the way i'm studying. sometimes, when there's a lot of information to retain, i don't know what to put emphasis on, and then i get screwed during the exam. like today, i had a business exam, i studied for the bloody thing for over 10 hours (over 3 days), and i still ended up leaving a 9 mark question blank and couldn't answer some questions fully. i had just no idea what to put in there, but i'm certain i'll lose marks for them too. i'm taking 2 math course, a comp sci course, and business and econ, and i need to improve my acedemic performance substantially.

the few things i do take care of:

- get enough sleep, no all nighters/late nighters.

- read the text book about what's taught

- study away from the computer in a quiet study room usually alone (most of the times)

- finish assignments ahead of time usually and compare my answers with other people

problems i encounter and need to work on:

- need to pay more careful attention during lectures. i find it hard to do because the profs move by fast, and i can't spend time on one thing if i don't get it.

- have trouble memorizing stuff, especially if i don't understand. :/

any (helpful) advice would be appreciated. i know i'm not stupid or anything, and i hate getting lower marks because i definitely worked harder than what i got. i need to get into the 80's~90's track. thanks :cry:

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Always eat a good meal when studying. Or at least some carbs to keep yourself going. Whenever you're hungry dont hesitate to eat a few snacks. Coffee is good also. You cant study if you dont have energy or you arent awake. :)

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You can wrtie out everything that you should know :/ It seems to work with my friend, she has a 97 avg !!

i second that. Whenever there is something i need to remember, i write it down. Whether or not you look at what you wrote at, you'll remember it.

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Something that has started to really help me out with memorizing forumulas for math. I suck at math and the main reason is that before I never took the time to memorize the forumals, conversion, etc. What I do at times is make a tape or a wav file (if I'm at my comp) and record with my voice (though I prefer to someone elses since mine sounds like crap) and clearly speak out what it is I'm trying to memorize. Listen to it while you play games, read, soak in the hot tub -- whatever. Trust me it works. Think about it -- how do you learn the lyrics to your favorite music or memorize your favorite movie line from a few years ago (Death Smiles at us all - all we can do is smile back). You do so by listing to or over and over. Give it try and you;ll be surprised.

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Change your task every 1/2 hour or hour. I find it really hard to concentrate on studying/working on something I've spent more than one hour on. Try set up a schedule (or have a rough idea in your mind) and try to alternate tasks as much as possible.

For me, continuously studying the same subject for hours is even worse than not studying at all.

Also, reading this (http://www.studygs.net/) will definitely help.

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Change your task every 1/2 hour or hour. I find it really hard to concentrate on studying/working on something I've spent more than one hour on. Try set up a schedule (or have a rough idea in your mind) and try to alternate tasks as much as possible.

For me, continuously studying the same subject for hours is even worse than not studying at all.

Also, reading this (http://www.studygs.net/) will definitely help.

Thanks for that link -- reading the part on how to solve those damnable word problems.

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this is my first year at uni too. First off all: don't try to go for the 80 en 90's. Well you can, but don't be disappointed or try to force you too much. I used to have around 85 for most of my subjects the last years. But I can't handle that anymore in uni. My gf though still wants to get very good grades and that just gives her a lot of more pressure than I have.

So my second advice is: try to get as less stress and pressure as possible. It just makes it harder for nothing. Leave other worries behind if you can. I'm having problems at home and stuff but I just try to leave them on the side.

That's just two things that are influencing me lot during exams. The other important things you've already said yourself. But always try to have as less stress as possible. I've seen many people and friends who were totally broken after two weeks during exams because off them worrying to much. Always be proud of yourself :) selfconfidence helps a lot!

good luck !

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Get up early in holidays ~9am, and before you do anything else, just decide on what to revise. Then after breakfast and a nice warm shower, hit the books. Revise by taking notes (if it's biology or something) or by doing lots of exercises (maths). If you get stuck, take a note of the question and ask a teacher/friend. Make sure to do all past papers to get a feel of the questions. :-) I dunno if this'll work for you but it's gotten me plenty of A's and A*s :-)

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I'm not exactly the best at explaining it but....

The many study books I have read all explain that learning is like a door...

Everyone has a diffrent shape and size door for information to come through...

However, the information needs to be modled or moved so it can pass through that door.... like if u wanted to get a couch through a think doorway you need to move it in sideways.

Basically, U need to the make the information meaningfu to you in some way...

Strange but this works for me. I am a visual leraner... So i picture everything. And i relate it to some video game I know. For example, if i wanted to rember the properties of a sole propertiership (in business) I konw that in the game i play Ragnarok ONline (MMO RPG) a sole propertiship is like being a merchant. He gets certain benefits, and cons, like if his business goes down the drain then he loses everything he owns... not just what he invested into his company....

Try to be creative... it works

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