What's the best way of studying?

Question

Yo! I've got my finals coming up, and if i screw this up, i am dead...

So, what's the best & most effective way of studying 8 different subjects, most of which involve memorizing a lot of definitions, and pictures/sketches, and i have 2 weeks...

Technical subjects like, Technical Drawing, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics...etc

Answer 1

It has been proven time and time again that cramming does NOT work. Study each subject little by little, considering you have 8 subjects and probably only a few hours in the evening, devote a half an hour to each subject every day. Skim through what you have already covered each day to make sure you remember it and continue from there. During the weekend study a lot more... maybe an hour per subject (taking breaks in between).

Different things work for different people, but for definitions it is most helpful to have someone work with you. Either make flash cards or hand the person your list of definitions (when they are in your own hands you are not forced to think and will cheat). Have them say a word and you will give the definition. If it is correct, move on to the next word. If your answer is wrong, have them tell you the definition and repeat it to yourself. Also, make sure they mix up the order to insure you truly remember the word and not the order it is on the paper. You could also try writing the definitions over and over, but this does nothing for me (except hurt my hand).

The MOST important thing to remember is get plenty of sleep and eat breakfast that morning. If you stay up all night studying it will get you nowhere. You won't be able to concentrate and will remember much less!

Answer 2

Some different tips:

-Multiple pathways to information. If you have only one way to remember something, then you're in trouble if you panic on the exam and forget that one "path" to the information. So, use different learning channels to remember information. Try writing the definitions...using different colors for different parts of the drawings...walking around and saying the definitions...humming a song as you create a drawing (the same song every time). With these multiple paths, you have more than one way to remember something.

-Concept mapping. Try thinking about these definitions and drawings in new ways. How are two definitions similar? How are they different? What attributes do they share?

-Teach someone else. This is the best condition for learning. So..if you can find someone who will sit down with you, try to explain some of the concepts and definitions.

-Study where the test will be. If you can, try to have at least one study session in the exam room. Look up at your surroundings and link details from your studying to the bits of the room. It is surprising, but it really does work!

-???Maybe??? Try assigning a different candy of flavor of gum to a certain subject. Eat this candy while studying, and then again on the exam. Some people swear by this. The idea is that the taste of the candy would activate a pathway in your brain to what you studied. Not sure about it, but it can't hurt.

Answer 3

I used to have trouble studying. Especially all the subjects crammed up together. Imagine 7 subjects to be understood, memorized and conceptualize in a couple of weeks time. I was in the same shoes as yours.

Well, and guess what? I scored badly.

One important lesson I learned is never study last minute. Always start way before. I don't know how much have you started.

What you can do now is to write down everything you need to study. The moment you write down everything you need to do, you can easily plan your time well, you will be able to allocate your time neatly. How much time you need to spend on each subjects.

I don't think any method would help you because you need time to learn them too. What you need now is careful planning and intense focus. And most importantly,

Stay calm and cool.

Answer 4

i have midterms coming up in 2 weeks as well
to help with your definitions I always:
take out a highlighter and highlight the important key words in my notes, its and eyecatcher so when you go to study more from those papers you already know exactly where to look

make sure you review everything that you are doing that day
if you learn about a new physics equation then when you get home make sure that you do some problems using that equation

Answer 5

I would do most of my studying early in the morning. Whenever I got tired in the evening I would go to bed and get up earlier in the morning to complete the study

Answer 6

diligently