Study strategies and habits?
I was always curious how much my classmates put into studying for the grades they get.
For myself I know I have to put in alot of hours in order to prepare for a test.
Over my years of highschool I've tried many different strategies to study ranging from: writing out notes to study from, typing out notes, and quietly reading over and over. The most effective way Ive found so far is reading out loud and explaining to myself the concepts and main ideas. This is primarily the way I prepare for tests and exams for the last 2 years (grade 12 & first year college) and it worked quite well for me.
Now for the duration of studying. Because, all my life, my tests and exam grades usually made up 90% of my final grade, I would usually spend about 2 sittings of 6-7 hours studying for one test. (2 days total) For highschool this had worked well for me. Although in college I felt like I had way too many tests to keep up with. I would have an average of 2-3 tests a week. Mostly I would just come home to study until I went to bed during those weeks.
But seriously how many hours do you guys put in for a test or an exam?
Method/strategy of studying?
4 Comments • Newest first
The most effective study method for me has been creating a study guide in the form of a practice test! I take all my notes or the professor's notes and turn them into questions. Usually a mix of short answer, true/false, and labeling depending on the class. When reading and re-reading information it is easy to think you know something because it looks familiar but later on you forget one part and get stumped.
This method has dramatically cut down the time I have to spend studying because I can quickly figure out what my weak areas are and focus on them. How much I study usually depends on how difficult the material is... For an exam in a difficult class I might study between 10-30 hours max. For easier classes this time will be cut down to maybe 3-5 hours. I don't do all-nighters (not worth it). I take a break every 45 minutes.
Sounds like you're doing a good job though. Keep it up.
This semester, I became the type of student to start studying a day or 2 prior to exams lmfao.
Before, I would review the material the day we went over it for the 1st time and make vocabulary cards on Quizlet.
Then i'll read the chapter &take my own notes and highlight important points that was discussed in class.
I usually take an hour for each chapter I guess.
Are you a visual learner, auditory learner, kinesthetic learner, or a combination of both?
EDIT: Oops, you're an auditory learner by the looks of it. I recommend you teach a classmate of yours. By talking to someone, you interpret the information your way and that helps for you to remember it easily, also, your study buddy will point out extra stuff or any mistakes you make
I don't study.
I naturally do well from what I understand out of the classroom.
I usually start preparing for tests a week in advance, get through like one or two chapters cause I have "so much time left" then cram the rest the day before