Well, here I am in my first semester at uni and I'm scared! I find that I'm reading stuff and it's just not sinking in. I look at the review questions at the end of a chapter and I seriously can't answer them
When you're 'studying' what do you do to help absorb what you've read/learnt ie make your own notes etc etc??
With two kids and pregnant brain it's way harder to concentrate and remember things isn't it?!
When are you studying? Are you able to study while L is asleep? Can you read the review questions first then make notes as you read the actual chapter? That way your mind will have something to look out for and it may sink in more?
I don't know, I haven't studied for a few years now and that was before kids!
A lot of the study I've done has been readings-based.
I take notes of most important points (incl page numbers) and underline key sentences, in case I want to go back and use them in an essay.
Then you can refer to the notes when you need to and only re-read little portions if you need to.
This works for me because I have a very visual memory. You might have an auditory memory (read notes aloud, get your hands on a text-reading program in your computer and use that) or a kinesthetic memory (map key points onto a mind-map so you get a spacial memory of "where" the info sits OR distract your body by chewing on something or moving about while you are reading). HTH
My biggest tip (from a serial uni-er... seriously, been studying since I left high school 5 years ago!) is to find out HOW you learn best. Some people are just not the sit down and read kind of studiers. Some people learn best by listening to lectures. Some people do best in groups where they can discuss the concepts.
For me, I need to sit down in a room with some noise (a TV or radio... but not Jazz! otherwise I'm 100% distracted), open my book and read, taking notes as i go, and then reviewing the notes, then doing the review questions. Lectures are helpful but I tend to get really distracted (not so much now I am a distance student I can pause and rewind!). Tutorial groups are downright daunting and all I learn from them are that I am terrible in groups of people I don't know! Study forums for my subject are REALLY helpful, I can read and be involved without being intimidated.
But you might be the absolute opposite and get the most learning done in an active tutuorial group.
Sorry, should have mentioned I'm studying by distance ed so not attending lectures etc. There are some online tutorials scheduled for my sociology subject but not for the psych stuff as yet.
I think I'm a visual leaner - waaay back in high school I'd make notes, 'mind maps' and stuff like that. I think I have write things down to get them to sink in so maybe I'll get the old highlighter out and start defacing my beautiful text books and start making notes as I go - maybe if I write things down I will remember them??
Man, this is daunting!! I'm so scared I'm going to blow it...
Trish - tell me about it! I am trying to study while L is sleeping during the day and V is having her rest time (usually watching a dvd in the loungeroom) or at night when they're in bed.
I applied for uni (studying psychology) before I found out I was prg again - being prg with 2 littlies and studying wasn't the plan! But I want to knock a few subjects over while I can, will take some time off after bub arrives and then hopefully go back again once things settle at home. The plan is eventually to perhaps transfer to a local uni and study full time/party time on campus...but we'll wait and see what happens. After the last few months, I'm finding that things can change in the blink of an eye!
Registered User
HOW do you study??
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks