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study methods

the second brain method

this method focuses on organizing the information you learn to maximize effectiveness. a common way of doing this is through the CODE method:

capture - be quick and efficient in how you receive the information

organize - organize the information in a way that works for you

distill - break the information down to its key elements

express - apply the information you’ve learned

* there is a ton of information out there about this method. if you struggle with burnout and knowing where to start, i recommend researching this method further to figure out what works for you.

the pomodoro method

the pomodoro method is a time management method. the most common expression of this method is to pick a task, work for 25 minutes on that task, then take a break for 5 minutes. then, repeat. if you’re planning to work all day, you may up the time spent studying. for example, after a while of this, you may work for 30 minutes at a time, then 40, then 45, and so forth. this method is particularly good for when you’re feeling unmotivated or having a hard time focusing. if you’re still not feeling it after a while, you may start to take longer breaks. for example, you may study for 30 minutes, break for 15, and keep going like that.

the 5 minute rule method

this method is good for when you have to do a shorter task, but you’re procrastinating doing it. this method requires you to dedicate only 5 minutes to do your task. after that, you may stop, but chances are, once you’ve started, finishing won’t be as difficult.

the blurting method

this method is particularly good for revision. the blurting method requires you to read over the content you are learning, then put it away and write down everything you know or can remember. then, check the content and revise everything you didn’t write down.

spaced repetition

spaced repetition requires you to spread out your study reviews over the period of a few days. this has been shown to improve memory. rather than studying one thing at a time, then studying something else the next day and so on, review the information right after you’ve learned it, then recall it after a few hours, then a few days, then a few weeks, and so on. if you’re studying something you will need to remember for an extended period of time, this method would be perfect for you!

active recall

this is my absolute favorite method! it’s been shown to improve your studying immensely and so many people have benefited from practicing active recall. active recall involves retrieving information from your brain, usually done through questions. a good way to do this is to explain the concept to yourself, to someone else, or act like you’re doing a presentation on the subject. after you’ve recalled all of the information you know about the subject, go over your material again and be sure you covered everything and explained everything the best way you could. if you didn’t, review everything you did not remember or got wrong, and go again. do this until you get everything. doing this can also be referred to as the feynman technique.

the SQ3r method

survey - skim your text and identify bolded text, headers, images, etc.

question - generate questions about the text based on what you surveyed. what are the key concepts in this text? what is each paragraph about? what information do i need to take away from this text?

read - read through the entire text and answer the questions you created

recite - summarize what you learned in your own words

review - recall the key concepts and answers to your questions

college tips from someone who survived their first year, and got themselves off of academic probation

study every day ( reread your notes, run through your flashcards)

it helps to avoid cramming around finals season

do assignments when you get them, it doesn't matter that its not due until the end of the semester, you will forget, you will get busy, you will get caught up with doing something else so do it when you get it, so you won't have to worry about it later

don't study in your bed, its a bad habit, it will make it harder to study and make it harder to sleep

go out at least once a month, to a party, to a club, on a late night walk

carry a knife if its legal ( not just for safety reasons)

join class group mes

go to office hours, even if you don't need to, lie and say you didn't understand something so the professor knows your name

its okay to skip a class occasionally, just never two in a row, and don't make it a habit

the mapping method

the mapping method of note-taking, also known as concept mapping, provides a graphical representation of information, ideas, facts, and concepts.

they provide a clear visual representation of complex topics, making it easier to understand relationships between different concepts. by showing the big picture, they help learners see how individual pieces of information fit together.

creating concept maps requires active participation. as you organise and connect ideas, you engage with the material more deeply. it encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.

a fun fact: leonardo da vinci used mapping techniques in his noteboks

here's how they work:

central concept: start by writing the main topic or central concept in the centre of your document or page. this topic serves as the focal point for your map.

branches: from the central concept, create branches that extend outward. each branch represents a related subtopic, idea, or concept. you can use lines, arrows, or other visual elements to connect these branches to the central concept. using different colours allows for the separation of different subtopics, easier.

subtopics and details: along each branch, add subtopics or details related to the main topic. these subtopics can further branch out into more specific details. use concise phrases or keywords to represent these ideas.

images and colours: enhance your concept map by incorporating images, symbols, and colours. visual elements can help reinforce connections and make the map more engaging.

organize and connect: arrange the branches and subtopics in a logical order. the goal is to create a visual overview that captures the relationships between different concepts.

concept mapping works best to gain a visual overview of complex topics. this technique can be applied to all subjects!

i hope this post was a help!

❤️ joanne

(images are from pinterest)

College Cafeteria Etiquette

Hello! For those who don't know me, my name is Roomie, and I aim to let people know some things they may not know about dorming life. This blog comes from a place of no-shame! Remember, I'm an American, so these largely culture-based rules may not apply outside of my area.

Let's get into it; the public cafeteria, and a few rules of thumb. Remember, the word 'rules' is being used very lightly here.

-When picking a seat, consider your group size and pick a table accordingly. Smaller tables for smaller groups, to leave larger tables available for larger groups.

-Approaching someone can be a great way to make a friend, but remember to ask before taking a seat at someone else's table.

-Don't pick up food with your bare hands, for sanitary reasons. If utensils like tongs are provided, use those. If not, a fork or other utensil of your own will do, so long as it's not been in your mouth or other food. Remember to be allergy-and-germ-conscious. If you use a fork for some scrambled eggs then the same fork in the pancakes, you may be contaminating the pancakes for someone allergic to eggs, for example.

-On a similar note, don't place tongs and other food-grabbing utensils on the counters, put them back in the dish or on whatever plate they may have been on before. The counters usually aren't as clean as we'd like.

-Pay attention to where your dishes are meant to go when cleaned. Is there a set area to take your dishes? Take them there! Don't leave a big mess for the kitchen staff, they've got a lot to do already. "But it's their job!" is no excuse to make their job harder. If you've gotten crumbs on the table, sweep them onto your plate/bowl/etc. as you get up.

-If you spill something, make an effort to clean that up, too. Don't be that guy that makes a big mess and then walks away.

-Many cafeterias may have rules against taking food outside of the cafeteria. However, in this case, if you see something... don't say something. If you're an American like me, odds are your college is getting thousands of dollars from your attendance alone. Someone may not want to eat in the cafeteria for a good number of reasons, and that's none of your business.

-The final rule from me here: refrain from commenting on the eating habits of others. Everyone's coming from their own home life and culture, so the way they eat may be different. If they're not hurting anyone, then it's none of your business how someone else is eating.

Hope this helps! Is there anything I missed? Anything that doesn't apply where you to go college? Let me know!

And, as always, be patient with yourself. It can take time to learn new behaviors, and some of these may not apply to everyone. Everybody makes mistakes, myself included. Once, the soft serve machine in my cafeteria blew up on me, and I was just awkwardly standing in the splatter, trying to wipe it up with napkins. Thankfully, the cleaning staff came almost immediately.

flashcards

flashcards are a study tool that aids in memorization. they typically consist of a card bearing information on both sides, with a question or definition on one side and the answer or term on the other. flashcards can be used for various subjects, such as vocabulary, historical dates or formulae, and are effective because they involve active learning through self-testing and spaced repetition. they can be created physically with paper and pen or digitally using software.

here are some tips to create flashcards that are effective and engaging:

phrase your flashcards as questions: instead of simply writing a term or concept, phrase it as a question. this encourages active recall, which is more effective for memory retention.

use the specification: refer to your exam boards specification or past exam papers to ensure your flashcards cover the necessary material and help with exam technique.

one idea, one flashcard: keep your flashcards simple. each should contain one question and one answer. this makes it easier for your brain to process and remember the information.

engaging questions: write questions that are interesting and thought-provoking. avoid one-word answers; instead, aim for answers that make you think about the topic in depth.

regular review: use your flashcards regularly and shuff them often to avoid simply memorizing the order. spaced repetition is the key to long-term retention.

personally, i don't enjoy using flashcards so i'd like to add that everyone is very different and we all learn and enjoy various things. what works for someone online may not work for you. you just have to try and find out.

i hope you find the post helpful.

❤️ joanne

Study hacks that actually work for me as an autistic ADHDer

(who massively struggled with anything school related for years)

Not getting too invested in series, movies, books, you name it If I like something, I REALLY like it. If I'm into something I'm REALLY into it. I try not to consume too much new media during exam periods/periods of intense studying so I don't fall down that spiral of distraction and binge watching. If you absolutely do need to watch something to relax or get your brain fueled, maybe try watching a few episodes of a series with no context (so start somewhere in the middle) or rewatch stuff you already know but haven't watched in a while.

The exact opposite of what I just wrote, but only do this outside of exam season/ very intense study periods!!! If you do get really into series/books/whatever kind of stories- use that. Pretend you are your favorite character (preferably a really studious or nerdy one), dress up in their style or something so you get really hyped about it and then sit down and study.

Try to find your way of doing it. Experiment with strategies and find out what makes it stick for your brain. You don't need to do flashcards if they don't work for you. Try mind maps, list, tables, writing quiz questions for yourself, explaining it to someone, listen to your textbooks, whatever. Be creative. But please, please note: If you invest more time into the method itself than in studying, it's not a good method. As always, feel free to share what works for you!!

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 ( + some youtube channels )

here are some spotify playlists / youtube channels that i put in the background and help me concentrate on studying for hours.

🎧. this spotify playlist

🎧. this spotify playlist

🎧. this spotify playlist

🎧. this youtube channel

🎧. this youtube channel

🎧. this youtube channel

🎧. this youtube channel

🎧. this youtube channel