“Study until 25, investigate until 40, profession until 60, at which age I would have him retired on a double allowance.” – William Osler
We can’t say whether you should follow William Osler’s dictum. But whether you study at 25 or 35, doing it smartly makes all the difference. You can attend class all semester, write down every bit of information your professor teaches and finish all the books on the reading. But so much of the outcome depends on how well you study. Some pointers:
Focus.
Easier said than done. Make a dedicate workspace at home or find a quiet place on campus where you can focus. The local Starbucks might have good coffee, but it can be a distracting place to study.
Establish a routine.
Probably the most difficult habit to adopt, establishing a routine will help your focus.
Study smart.
Reading a lot isn’t necessarily the way to go. Some people recommend following the three Rs: recall, recite, review. Think about what profs have said, write or leave yourself voice notes about key points (some people will write and rewrite information, like back in the day when the bad kids had to stand at the blackboard and write “I will not pull Suzie’s hair” over and over). And finally, review the major ideas and information.
Don’t over-study.
Our external hard drives might have limitless capacity, but our internal hard drives can only fit so much information. Identify the main areas you’ll need to cover in the exam and bone up on those.
Talk with your instructor.
Not only will talking with instructors about the exam deepen your understanding of the subject, but it may provide clues on how to focus your studying. U
Category: Life Happens, Life Happens - School, The Academy, Work
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