<p>Hey guys, I just want to know how all of you study? I know everyone is different and everyone is in different levels of courses but I'm sure there are some common studying habits or skills that most of you use. The reason I am asking this is because I really think that I don't know how to study effectively ("effectively" emphasized). The two classes that I am focusing on right now is math and physics. I try to study in groups but most of the time it just turns into a chat session rather then a problem solving session. I think that studying in groups is the best thing when it comes to engineering, its just hard to find the right people sometimes. Other than studying in groups, what are some of your study tips/skills/habits/advice? Also, what should I avoid doing when it comes to studying? Thanks!</p>
<p>Most my teachers recomend attempting to do problems by yourself before you try to do them in groups. And when doing groups 3-4 is the maximum. Depending on the class, most skills are learned by doing multiple types of problems over and over and learning how to a type of problem instead of individual problems.</p>
<p>Groups are to clarify that you know what you have learned, not to learn what is taught, IMO. Only study in groups if you think you understand everything.</p>
<p>I learn by writing and doing. I use to think I could learn by just reading or watching/hearing, but that left the building when I started advance math and engineering courses. So, I write all my notes (not type) and then a rewrite them neatly and more structured into a bound perminant notebook. I write on only one side of the page. When I read the text I use the back of each page in that notebook to take additionaly notes from the text, placing them in positions that are roughly about where the class notes are writen.</p>
<p>Do all homework problems, and relevant additional problems you have the solutions for in the text.</p>
<p>If you are still having problems understanding the material look on the internet. I don't believe in rote learning, you need to understand the material. And, sometimes you just need it explained in a different way.</p>
<p>Do not try and cram. If anything the day before a test should only involve 1-2 hours of review. To avoid this study EVERYDAY. Even if it's just enough to rewrite notes for the days class, or read 1 chapter, or do half a set of homework questions. If you do this everyday you will never fall behind and will never be pressed for a test. I can't emphasize this issue enough. A little each day is better than a lot once a week.</p>
<p>Use office hours. Getting to know your professor at office hours will help you more in the long run than you can ever imagine.</p>
<p>What we used to do is work individually, but all gather together to work in the same room. The key to working in groups is to always admit when you don't understand something. If you're shameless about that (and you should be-- you're learning engineering, and it's not easy), then you'll get your questions answered. Our study groups used to be just all of us in our class working individually on our problem sets at the student center, but whenever we had a question, we'd ask aloud and people would help. Generally we'd all struggled with the problem set for at least an hour or so beforehand so we knew what we were having trouble with, and then we'd just sit around and explain the more difficult parts to one another.</p>
<p>Don't <em>just</em> try and do engineering on your own, though... You'll hurt yourself.</p>
<p>Doing problem sets alone is the best way to assure yourself that you understand the material. Working in groups can be a good motivator if you are honest with yourself about what you're really bringing to the table, as opposed to just seeing what other people are doing and then thinking you now understand. Groups are also great for confirming your answers prior to handing in an assignment or taking an exam.
Whatever you do, don't delude yourself into thinking you understand something just by reading about it in your text and maybe scanning over a few of the examples- that tends to be a formula for disaster on exams.</p>
<p>Whether or not you have connections, you will likely bump into solutions manuals for many of your books (illegal or provided). While they are a godsend for checking answers, it's VERY easy to fall into trap of relying on them whenever you get stuck, instead of trying to figure a way around the problem yourself. Same problem applies when working in groups. You may not realize it at first, but it will hurt you once those tough engineering exams hit--when you don't have hints to every solution and are crunched for time.</p>
<p>Start early and do your problem sets honestly, and seek out and use those solution manuals to help carry through problems BEYOND your homework. If you have the time, and are willing to dedicate (trust me: much more easily said than done), you will be on the very top of your courses.</p>
<p>Get a good nights sleep, and be very attentive in class. Then go and study the material as soon as you can, while it is still fresh in your head. Find out what you dont understand that day, and then go and ask your professor or a tutor or somebody. Take it a day at a time; dont let yourself fall behind.</p>
<p>Also, you should first study by yourself, and then use group study as a review, and to possibly ask for help on questions that you dont understand. I use group study mainly before tests etc. Also, you should start disciplining yourself to do what you need to do when you need to do it. That is very important for when you go out into the "real world," since you could loose your job if your work turned into a "chat session".</p>
<p>I always started my homework early in the week, so that if I ran into problems I could always work with my classmates on them. This way I wouldn't be tempted to just copy other people's answers because my friends wouldn't have finished yet. It's a good combination of alone work and group work.</p>
<p>Early mornings were the best time for me to do my work. I liked to do my work starting before 7am. It was usually pretty quiet at this time and I wouldn't have many distractions. My roommates were asleep, there's nothing good on TV to watch, and nobody's on AIM that early. PLUS, I was well rested after a good nights sleep. Working after 9 or 10pm was rarely productive for me so I just used that time to relax and have fun.</p>
<p>Before lectures: Get a general idea of what you'll be studying by going through the list of the topics that will be covered in the course. Buy a couple of good books. Flip through the pages, make a note of what chapters you'd likely be reading; read their intro paragraphs, read anything that seems interesting..</p>
<p>During lectures: Be attentive. You don't need to note down everything that the teacher utters, but do listen attentively (hard to do really, but make sure you're relaxed before you go into the class, a cup of tea does wonders for me ;) ). Note down the important points. I don't like to write a lot, so what I do is that I take my book and a pencil to the class and underline the topics that we're studying and only jot down any important comments.</p>
<p>After lectures: I find that the best time to study is a day or two after the lecture. By that time you have already forgotten almost half of the lecture but remember the important ideas/concepts. Read thoroughly all those topics now that you had underlined earlier in the class, to grasp the finer details. Do some practice problems and then do any assigned homeworks.</p>
<p>Now, a few more things..</p>
<p>Ask to learn: Never be shy. Be sure to ask for help when you need it. Not everyone understands everything the first time they hear about it. So, raise your hand politely and ask the teacher to repeat or clarify a point. Ask your classmates for help after the class.</p>
<p>Discuss to learn: Talk to your classmates about the lectures to see how/what they are studying. Although you have attended the lecture and read the book, perhaps there's a perspective that you have entirely missed!</p>
<p>Teach to learn: As a great man has said; "To teach is to learn". There are people who are less gifted than you. By teaching them, you're not only helping another person but learning a lot too. When you teach, you'll be surprised to observe how little you know and how much more there is to learn. I dedicate the last few days before any final exams entirely to teaching (and/or discussing..). This has helped me a lot personally (also earned me many friends :) ).</p>
<p>Make sure you answer these questions
A. What is the concept being taught?
B. Why do I need it to solve the problem?
C. In what situations is this concept valid / useable?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Whether or not you have connections, you will likely bump into solutions manuals for many of your books (illegal or provided). While they are a godsend for checking answers, it's VERY easy to fall into trap of relying on them whenever you get stuck, instead of trying to figure a way around the problem yourself. Same problem applies when working in groups. You may not realize it at first, but it will hurt you once those tough engineering exams hit--when you don't have hints to every solution and are crunched for time.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>OTOH, don't spend so much time trying to figure out things on your own (avoiding using the solutions) that you fall behind. The solutions exist for a reason - they're there to help you through your difficulties.</p>
<p>Well, every person learns different. I'm a petroleum engineering major so I know what math and science is like. I learn by reading the chapters assigned. I sometimes will rewrite the notes. I don't use study groups. I study better alone, I never saw any point in studying in a group because you tend to get distracted. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I know when I have a question I go to the professor, or a grad student, or just an upper classman. Anyone that can give you a good explanation. Do all your hmwk problems. Your only cheating yourself. Also, after class go over the information that was presented in the lecture, just read over your notes. This will help the information to sink in. It's hard to go back 2 weeks later when the test is in a few days and recall all of the information. So, study a little bit a day, like alot of other people have said. Whenever you have a question about something, during class, or while doing hmwk write it down. So you can remember to ask that question at a later time. I mean you have to find what works for you. Don't cram. You do everything I said, you'll find yourself on the deans list. I getting along with a 3.86 average.</p>
<p>I find textbooks to be extremely helpful. I've gotten in the habit of reading very thoroughly, like each word, and making sure I truly understand the concept being explained. Consequently, it takes me forever to get through one chapter. The formula I try to follow is thus:
1. Read chapter before lecture- take thorough, detailed notes on EVERYTHING
2. Attend and listen attentively to lectures
3. Actually work in lab/discussion instead of waiting for class to end
4. Study or review notes during small breaks throughout the day
5. Practice
6. Reread/skim textbook and accompanying notes for finals/midterms</p>
<p>The time I followed this formula the most, I had never felt more prepared for a midterm (I was studying Physics actually). It worked pretty well, I got a 99/100 (average was 76/100).</p>
<p>
[quote]
Hey guys, I just want to know how all of you study? I know everyone is different and everyone is in different levels of courses but I'm sure there are some common studying habits or skills that most of you use. The reason I am asking this is because I really think that I don't know how to study effectively ("effectively" emphasized). The two classes that I am focusing on right now is math and physics. I try to study in groups but most of the time it just turns into a chat session rather then a problem solving session. I think that studying in groups is the best thing when it comes to engineering, its just hard to find the right people sometimes. Other than studying in groups, what are some of your study tips/skills/habits/advice? Also, what should I avoid doing when it comes to studying? Thanks!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I avoid study groups unless it is very organized and there is someone leading the group. I only use groups for homework and projects. I study on my own. </p>
<p>To study for math I do odd numbered problems out of the book. I just keep doing them until I have the technique down. </p>
<p>For physics I find reading the textbook has actually helped me a lot more than in other classes. I never read for other classes other than physics which I make sure I always read. Other than that I take good notes in class and use those for studying. Plus I tend to skim over the chapters prior to taking a test on them. For my final in E&M I went back and read every chapter from the textbook =)</p>