I have been teaching high school and college students (graduate and undergraduate) over the past 10 years in biology, biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology and how these are linked via systems . Have also dedicated the last 5 years in tutoring students for their MCAT exams. I have come across some really bad strategies in why students do not pass or score very low. However here are the 5 main reasons for not achieving your score:
“ I don’t have enough time to study “
“ My GPA is 3.9 but only able to score 16 which is very discouraging”
“ The study materials that exist is too much and confusing”
“ Too much information and too little time”
“ Information too detailed for effective studying”
Sounds familiar right ? In my experience students students use techniques which are least effective. Techniques such as “ highlighting and underlining key phrases”, “ re-reading chapters and sections”, “ summarizing what we read and trying to memorize” and “strictly memorizing”.
What these less effective methods do? — highlighting and re-reading is time intensive compared to other techniques; lot of students don’t know how to summarize
IT IS TIME TO STUDY SMARTER AND NOT HARDER. STUDYING NEEDS TO BE FOCUSSED AND EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE. Techniques I used throughout undergraduate and graduate school in studying:
APPROVE YOUR MINDSET TOWARDS STUDYING:
Avoid comparing yourself to others
Always think positive: constantly remind yourself about your skills, abilities and goals
Avoid doomed thinking: Instead of thinking - I am a mess and don’t have enough time to think” Think - “ I will try my best and get most of it done”
READ TEXT BEFORE AND AFTER CLASS, especially the sections associated with the current lecture. During the lecture take notes and write down any questions you may have. You can ask the professor or teaching assistants during office hours or via email
TEST YOURSELF - Always ask yourself questions about the topic and work on questions at the end of the chapter in the textbook or a test bank of questions prepared just for the chapter.
GENERATE YOUR OWN STUDY GUIDE - From your note make a study guide. Focus on main concepts and pathways (where appropriate). This can even take the form of diagrams, flow charts and flashcards. MAKE ONE GUIDE FOR EACH CHAPTER
FORMATION OF STUDY GROUPS - The sole purpose of this is to explain concepts to friends. Also you can teach these concepts to friends. They always say once you can teach someone the concept you fully understand it.
Hope this helps fellow MCAT students.
Are there any other study tactics that are not mentioned here but very useful to you?