What do u think is the best study method?

[geeza23]

according to tsfx, writing out notes is the least effective method of commiting knowledge to memory yet the majority of students use this technique to commit knowledge to memory. Students interested in maximising scores should be spending as much time practising past exam papers and potential exam questions,particularly in the weeks leading up to tests and examinations.

So, what do u think is the best of learning or commiting knowledge to memory, besides than writing notes (obviously i'm not saying its a waste of time) i'm just quoting tsfx (authority figure ) based on methods such as but not limited to reading the textbooks,practicing exams and sample exams,doing exercises from textbook,published materials etc..

have ur say

[NE2000]

I like writing out notes as an initial learning method and exams/questions as a method which consolidates that knowledge.

The possibility that TSFX is right and writing out notes is indeed the least effective method of committing knowledge to memory is overriden by the fact that if they were to say any different the consumer (us) would most likely just say "we'll make our own notes, no need to go to TSFX for the notes".

[shinny]

Depends what type of subject really. Strangely enough coming from me who's probably known for writing excessive amounts of notes, I'd say writing out notes is extremely ineffective as a study method. However, they simplify things come exam time when you actually do need to cram hard for rote learning subjects. I'm pretty sure this applies for most, but at least for me, what I learnt in these kinds of subjects never stuck in my head for very long. Instead, I'd pretty much write out all the notes during the semester so that I don't waste time when exam time comes around, and then prior to the exam with notes in hand, just memorise everything mostly through rewriting out lists and definitions whilst speaking it out softly (as TSFX would recommend; the more senses involved, the better). I also helped and taught a lot of friends throughout the year so that was probably my other primary source of study, and TSFX does rate teaching others as the best form of study. As for things like maths, sitting down by yourself or with a tutor and conceptually understanding things first is best, followed then by grinding questions. As for English...write essays, read through the book/study guides, and get some good feedback on your essays. Rinse, repeat, fix your mistakes and you should get progressively better.

[n.f]

I find explaining concepts to people with no prior understanding works well. Also doing practice exams but as you correct adding to notes and expanding on what is already there.

[TrueTears]

I like to memorise stuff for English and LOTE, conceptual based for maths and some note-taking/conceptual thinking for physics/chem.

[IntoTheNewWorld]

I don't really make notes for any subject, just can't find the effort. When I study I first read the textbook, then A+ notes, then do checkpts questions~ Come exam time all I do is practice exams, or at least try to. Except for Chem because I didn't really understand anything before studying for mid years =[ (I found continuously failing chem practice papers very inefficient)

[geeza23]

i see...thanks guys for your input so basically it can be summed up to these right
- usually writing out/simplifying notes for easier understanding and for maths/sciences it would be conceptual understanding
- then try to go through them and do practice exams/past questions etc.. or maybe helping out a friend
- then see how u fare in actual doing them to see what improvements needed

thats kinda like the main things i found out and of course more ideas are welcomed because i'm still trying to find out what would work best as i find myself constantly changing between these methods and its already august...yr 12 btw

[ninwa]

For maths/mathsy science subjects - writing notes was useless for me. I learnt most of the chem and methods course from doing questions and past exams. I've found that the fastest way for me to learn something is through making a mistake (if that makes sense) - i.e. once I get something wrong I'll remember that concept above everything else.

For more languagy sciences/subjects - I found writing notes really useful actually for subjects like biology, international studies and business management. It was the actual process of writing notes which helped me remember it. Re-reading the notes didn't actually help much.

I also think it helps to discuss things in a study group because having several minds attack a question means that several different perspectives come out, many of which you wouldn't have thought of yourself.

If you're a visual learner, make diagrammatic representations of concepts. When I did VCE I had massive posters of the photosynthesis cycle and HPLC and UN resolution timelines etc. on my wall, which I looked over every night before bed. If you revise something regularly, the information is committed to your long-term rather than short-term memory.

Depending on the subject it might help to apply what you've learnt to real life situations e.g. when you're putting cutlery away after dinner use probability to work out how many different arrangements you can put the forks in or something (lol, nerdy, I know).

sorry for the rant

[cobby]

For maths/mathsy science subjects - writing notes was useless for me. I learnt most of the chem and methods course from doing questions and past exams. I've found that the fastest way for me to learn something is through making a mistake (if that makes sense) - i.e. once I get something wrong I'll remember that concept above everything else.

For more languagy sciences/subjects - I found writing notes really useful actually for subjects like biology, international studies and business management. It was the actual process of writing notes which helped me remember it. Re-reading the notes didn't actually help much.

That is the exact same way with me, once i make a mistake and find out how and why i made the mistake, it sticks with me so when i presented with a similar question, i am sure to not make the same mistakes!

[physics]

I stick to writing out notes becuase reading the textbook doesn't really suck into my brain.

[kurrymuncher]

physics/spesh- exams/questions

chem- read notes, try and remember as much as I can, and then write out what I have remembered. Its a weird way, but it helps.

[danieltennis]

physics/spesh- exams/questions

chem- read notes, try and remember as much as I can, and then write out what I have remembered. Its a weird way, but it helps.

What about IT? lol

[kurrymuncher]

physics/spesh- exams/questions

chem- read notes, try and remember as much as I can, and then write out what I have remembered. Its a weird way, but it helps.

What about IT? lol

No one studies for IT!!!!

[mystikal]

lols people who psych can probably tell us whats the best way to learn and memorise since they are learning that now in unit 4

[IntoTheNewWorld]

physics/spesh- exams/questions

chem- read notes, try and remember as much as I can, and then write out what I have remembered. Its a weird way, but it helps.

What about IT? lol

lol IT.