How do highly productive students "think"

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>After receiving less than satisfactory grades my first semester and after meeting up with some HS friends that have been very successful at college I wanted to ask the people here:</p>

<p>How do very smart/productive students think/act on a basic, day to day basis?</p>

<p>What goes through your head when it comes to making choices about when to work, sleep, or play? How do you motivate yourself to "go the extra distance"? Do you have a particular image that you hold yourself to or try to achieve?</p>

<p>Any ideas, theories, or examples would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>First set a definitive goal for next semester that is high but not unreachable... then make sure you do everything in your power to get to that goal.. say a 3.5 gpa or somtin... and if at the end of the semester you feel you worked your butt off and still did not reach your goal.. then reassess your goal and move forward from there...</p>

<p>I think people do well if they enjoy learning. Take an active approach and your grades will rise because of it. Also, attendance and turning work ontime is crucial.</p>

3

<p>How do you define "less than satisfactory"? Is it possible that you are setting the bar too high for yourself? If not, then I'll say that I am motivated by my goal to get into law school and that fact that my parents won't pay all that money for me to be getting bad grades.</p>

4

<p>I have a 4.0 through college so far and I've completed three semesters. There is only one word I can use to describe my motivation: DESIRE.</p>

<p>When I got to college, I knew I could have a shot at getting better than what I got in high school. Knowing I'm paying $$$ for these classes I want to maximize them and also without my old service activity that I did in high school I need to make some sort of impression on the professors/school community.</p>

<p>As far as work goes--I look at each assignment as a puzzle, as a challenge. I view studying as an art and when I make a study guide I'm not afraid to get creative--I'll change the fonts around, add some pictures, maybe use a little bit of color here and there (especially common in science and math courses for me). I want the study guides to look great and I want to have fun making them, and that usually motivates me to learn what's on there as well. Making the study guides is also good for absorbing stuff, as I'm writing or typing what I learned in class and read in the book.</p>

<p>I also make practice tests along the same line. I found a program called ExamView and actually have a bunch of psych tests I've made up as a result of that. I also have a few for biology that I've made. I use these when I feel I need practice on the actual drill.</p>

<p>One of my uses for all this stuff I make up is hosting study sessions. I will notify my classmates about a week in advance, reserve a room (preferably with a projector), and re-teach the lesson and have discussions. By leading it I get more repetition than anyone, and let me tell you, when you have a study session and other people do well as a result it makes your spine tingle. There's nothing better than helping other people while helping yourself.</p>

<p>Also, I'm not afraid to use weekends for work if necessary. If there's a Monday test, there's a good chance nobody will see anything of me on Saturday or Sunday night. I usually try to take Friday nights off but if there's multiple or hard tests, I'll work that night as well. And I'm not the type who sits inside and mopes about having a test instead of having fun. I make studying fun and I honestly am not upset about being at home at all. Besides, most of my social activities meet during the week so I often will take weekends for myself (unless there's a baseball game).</p>

<p>Tests--I've posted my personal method (well, not mine--a very wise young lady gave it to me and she is forever my hero for it) and it is to not even think of it as test day. I used to have the worst test anxiety until this girl was sent almost out of nowhere to tell me this strategy. Now I go in pretending it's a normal day of class and knowing I have the material. Some people say I almost don't seem to care that there's a test coming up, and others describe me as "fearless" (quite a contrast from my high school days where it was "Mr. Can't Test"). The key is preparation and a good attitude.</p>

<p>And you have to reward yourself as well. First, I thank the Big Guy upstairs after getting my A's for helping me through. Then I silently thank anyone who has studied with me and the girl who gave me test advice. Then I take some time for myself after getting a good test grade. I might treat myself to a new book, some clothes, maybe a ballgame (when I don't have class during the week my grandfather and I go to games sometimes--we're going to home opener this year!) and sometimes just some time off relaxing at home.</p>

<p>Also, if I feel any tension building in me, I know how to take it out. The gym, batting cage, and mall (for walking) are my favorite methods. I also find that talking out loud to my dog helps for some reason--I've heard dogs can lower stress somehow and mine seems to (and seems to listen--you can see the ears moving).</p>

<p>The biggest tip of all time for me, though, is to speak up in class. I ask at least two questions per lecture on average. I also like to participate in class and like to volunteer input or stuff to talk about. I'm also not afraid to go further with stuff--I will use the encyclopedia whenever I feel the need to!</p>

<p>And of course there are my activities--good stress reducers with good people. I'm in two bands, one choir, one Bible study, a Mac users group, and work on video stuff for my alma mater from time to time. My jobs (computer consulting and being a receptionist at a doctor's office) also ease my stress. With these activities usually being predictable as far as time goes I can work around them but I never stick to any sort of study schedule--I work at my own pace.</p>

<p>Hope this can give some insight--sorry for the length!</p>

5

<p>not saying this is what AFPrep does, but PLEASE do not ask useless questions if you're going to try and emulate his 2 per lecture.</p>

6

<p>During finals week, I didn't use facebook,myspace,aim,msn, and yahoo. When I study, I use flash cards.</p>

7

<p>There is a book I recommend every student should own, called What Smart Students Know by Adam Robinson, written by one of the founders of the test prep service Princeton Review. I have never seen a better explanation of the steps you need to follow to really <em>learn</em> the material for all types of classes (sciences, liberal arts, etc), and if you've learned it well you will have no trouble with grades.</p>

8

<p>What if you go to a school like McGill where the resources suck, the classes are giant, and they won't give you any sort of personal attention to ask questions about material you don't understand, and all of your peers don't understand either?</p>

<p>As long as the above doesn't happen, I'm fine.</p>

9

<p>AFPrep850, what u r saying is not really being "smart" but being very nerdy. Getting the best grades without having to study is the best.</p>

10

<p>please don't ask questions in large lecture halls (200+ ppl) because it's annoying. if you're in a class less than 50 then it's ok.</p>

11

<p>i'm both a slacker/procrastinator and a productive student when i need to be. this is what goes through my head during common situations:</p>

<p>SHOULD I GO TO CLASS TODAY (even though I know the material)?
"hm, well...my parents paid $15/hour for people to teach me. i should go because otherwise, i threw money down the drain." ($15/hour because i had 14 hours of class a week and i go to a UC :))</p>

<p>SHOULD I STUDY NOW OR LATER?
"hm, does this class require more than a few hours study for the test and do i have something on (day before the test) that would interrupt that?"</p>

<p>SHOULD I GO TO OFFICE HOURS OR NOT?
"do i get 80% of the material or not?" (i think in college so far, getting by with knowing 60-70% of the material is good enough to get an A)</p>

<p>As for how much I study, I tend to think the worst--for quantitative classes (chem, physics, math, etc.) I'll do all the problems in the book....twice (or at least until I get it) and go to office hours if I have to, telling myself that I'll get a C in the class unless I understand every single concept. But hey, it works, as crazy (and too much effort) as it sounds. Don't memorize--understand how to get from point A to point B, and from point B to point A. For humanities/reading-based classes, I'll read the book extra slow. Notes/highlighting don't work for me.</p>

12

<p>Get drunk at least once during the week to take the edge off...</p>

13

<p>if you're gonna do something, minimize distractions and actually take breaks instead of working on a paper for 5 minutes then checking aim/facebook for 5 and repeating this cycle for like 10 hours straight. works for me.</p>

14

<p>I write notes when I study instead of just reading. It takes longer, but it really helps my concentration. </p>

<p>Summary sheets are also really helpful. If you have an econ final that's going to cover 12 chapters, make one review sheet for each chapter and include essential definitions, diagrams, and important points. Writing these things down helps keep the information in your brain, and the sheets are helpful when it comes down to the final review sessions. </p>

<p>Another good thing to do is to disconnect your internet while writing important papers. Use the wireless on/off switch. If you're studying for a test with online notes, print them out and step away from the computer. Eliminate the distraction...!</p>

15

<p>"As far as work goes--I look at each assignment as a puzzle, as a challenge. I view studying as an art and when I make a study guide I'm not afraid to get creative--I'll change the fonts around, add some pictures, maybe use a little bit of color here and there (especially common in science and math courses for me). I want the study guides to look great and I want to have fun making them, and that usually motivates me to learn what's on there as well. Making the study guides is also good for absorbing stuff, as I'm writing or typing what I learned in class and read in the book."</p>

<p>WONDERFUL. I do the same exact thing. And then I take all these handy, fun things I make and put them all over my wall, so I'm studying without noticing.</p>

<p>I started out college on a terrible note...sub 3.0 GPA. This summer I looked at all my old high school stuff and just thought to myself "you're better than this. you got accepted to this school for a reason." So I just changed my way of thinking, and I honestly think by telling myself I could handle my workload and that I was smart enough to get A's at Duke, I did it. Going into things with a positive attitude is really important.</p>

<p>Also, time management. I never realized how little I was studying, but I stopped sitting on AIM and worked outside of my room and away from my computer, which made a world of difference. I also worked 1 night on the weekends as well, using the other night to completely relax and watch a movie/go out with some friends. When you're time management skills improve, you just have so much more time, and you really just get things done.</p>

<p>and I know this is hard, but DON'T PROCRASTINATE. Do homework the night it's assigned and get started early/work on papers and stuff over a longer period of time, instead of a night or two before. Your work will be of a much higher quality, and you'll be LESS STRESSED (which, I think we can all agree, is a beautiful thing). And when you don't stress you sleep better, which brings me to my final point.</p>

<p>Sleep. please. It is possible to get 8 hours of sleep a night. I swear to you...I'm a chemistry major...so it's not like I'm taking fluff classes...and I get atleast 8 hours a night. It really helps me just focus on what I'm doing, and be less stressed overall. I think sleep is just incredibly important on a deeper level than many things, and college students really just don't believe that. Which, I think, is pretty unhealthy.</p>

<p>I mean, this is just my advice. What works for some people may not work for others, but play around and find what study habits work for you/what motivates you. And play around with classes/things of that nature. Once you find what you're passionate about you're just so motivated to learn the material and you'll do so much better.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

16

<p>Last year when I had much harder courses I kept up with it all by just constantly studying. I'd put aside two nights a week where I could party, the rest of the week I'd study. 6 Hours every single day at least.</p>

<p>This year, I have a little bit easier courseload, so I've been taking it easy alot, probably go out and party 4 nights a week, and other days chill out. I usually wait until 3-4 days before the exam and then start doing 8-10 hour days. I'm more focused doing things all at once than spreading it out.</p>

<p>In order to get straight A's I just make sure I know all of the material that's being tested before the test. I plan to make sure I'll know it all by that time. Pretty basic planning as long as you actually do it.</p>

<p>Being bright helps alot though.</p>

17

<p>I have to agree with Bruinboy.<br>
Please
1.) stop asking pointless questions that won't be on the exam (if the question will benefit the class, then it's fine)
2.) regurgitate what the prof <em>just</em> said in the form of a question
3.) tell stories that are irrelevant to the topic
4.) argue with the prof or try to correct him/her all the time (he/she has the Ph.D, not you)</p>

<p>This gets annoying in a class of 600 students and irritates the professor like no other.</p>

18

<p>I mean to say Please stop </p>

<p>I realized after the time limit, my post doesn't make much sense.</p>

19

<p>hmm i've always wondered...i had a bunch of friends who I always valued at about the same intelligence as me, but on tests such as the SAT, or like things involving critical thinking/logic, they are admitteldy much better than me. I mean, im not stupid, but are there any ways to hone those kinds of thinking skills?</p>

20

<p>Well as awful as it can be to hear, imran, some people just aren't good at standarized testing like the SAT. If it is tests in general that you fall short from those you think intellectually equal with you, then perhaps you are simply not absorbing the information as much as you think. You might also consider if it is critical thinking/logic situations, that you simply don't have a logical mind and you might want to try applying what you are learning to real situations and that might help you infer things better. I've had a problem with all of those things at some point and time and I'm still not the best standardized test-taker. Just my thoughts...</p>