Does anyone have any study tips for me?

[Smartass]

Hello people,

I'm in my sixth and last year, atleast I hope, of secondary school. These final months are extra busy for me because of the exams and all. But I'm having difficulties in doing my studies. But I really do want to graduate and get the *blieb* out of here. Any usefull tips? Thanks

[Chillax]

Originally Posted by Smartass

Hello people,

I'm in my sixth and last year, atleast I hope, of secondary school. These final months are extra busy for me because of the exams and all. But I'm having difficulties in doing my studies. But I really do want to graduate and get the *blieb* out of here. Any usefull tips? Thanks

could u b more specific where ur having trouble?

[Smartass]

Well I'm confident I could do pretty well at all the classes, if only I worked hard enough. But the problem is that I don't study. I just can't seem to do it. Atleast not for a long time.
I also don't pay attention in class, so I geuss that doesn't help either.

[QuestForBalance]

You need to pay attention in class. All through high school, college and grad school I hardly ever needed to study because I paid super duper attention in class. The prof usually tells you what he/she think is important out of those huge textbooks. They also tend to highlight what is going to be on the test (the syllabus is good for this too).

If you don't pay attention, you have to study all the crap they mention. If you do, then you only have to focus on about 40% of it... maybe not even that, because you PAID ATTENTION.

That was MY trick, anyway.

[Chillax]

Originally Posted by Smartass

Well I'm confident I could do pretty well at all the classes, if only I worked hard enough. But the problem is that I don't study. I just can't seem to do it. Atleast not for a long time.
I also don't pay attention in class, so I geuss that doesn't help either.

common problems, I went through them as well

The KEY is to filter out things that will distract you. You don't have to study for a long time, what matters is how much information you absorb and how consistent you are.

Audiobooks are neat little tools that can help you set the right frame of mind where you start becoming more conscious of your time.

Also don't be afraid to skip class if it's pointless. You have to decide yourself if it's worth going.

A lot of times what you can do is record the lecture and just re-listen to it yourself later. It gives you the ability to pause and replay which helped me get much more out of long lectures.

However it all depends on what works for you, this semester I am actually going to class because there's so much info I need to know that I feel it helps to listen to it twice.

Also I can now stay awake through class whereas before I'd fall asleep, the key is
1) get DECENT sleep - if your sleepy at the start of class, then your probably not ready for it
2) and this is the main one, pay FULL attention and make sure you understand everything (write down Qs and get them answered later if you're confused)

You ever notice how you can watch a 2 hour movie and not fall asleep but can't get through a 30 min lecture? It's cause of your focus. Try and make yourself interested in the material and absorb as much as you can.

I almost think of it as a test or a mind game to just sit there, no pen, no paper, (unless you're writing a Q) and just try to absorb and understand as much as you can.

If I start writing notes, I get distracted, go on autopilot, get bored and then go to sleep. That's why I write notes only when I'm listening to recordings.

[David Cain]

QuestForBalance is on the mark.

Paying attention in class can save you loads of time. You're there anyway, distractions are limited, so you might as well devote the whole time to learning as much as you can about the subject. Ask a ton of questions. Ask every time you don't understand something.

Most students treat class and study time as obligations and obstacles. Treat them like opportunities to become knowledgeable, not just necessary evils to get out of the way.

Studying is really just filling in the holes in your knowledge of the topic. So make sure there aren't many to fill!

I only learned this at the end of my time in college. Too bad.

[QuestForBalance]

Well, hey, David! Nice to see you're paying attention.

[royster]

Wow! We actually have a member named "smartass".

I wonder how those studies went? Perhaps the recent "study tips"thread can benefit from this one.

[RED COMPASS]

Originally Posted by Smartass

Well I'm confident I could do pretty well at all the classes, if only I worked hard enough. But the problem is that I don't study. I just can't seem to do it. Atleast not for a long time.
I also don't pay attention in class, so I geuss that doesn't help either.

Find a positive and a negative reason why you should pay attention.

[Caandy]

Originally Posted by royster

Wow! We actually have a member named "smartass".

I wonder how those studies went? Perhaps the recent "study tips"thread can benefit from this one.

Tips: Recall what you study and explain it to yourself.

[RED COMPASS]

Originally Posted by royster

Wow! We actually have a member named "smartass".

It is ok to be a smartass not a dumbass.
However , it is better to be quietly wise than to be a smartass.