I have been studying for years, and I have been working on studying effectively. There are many methods that you can watch on YouTube, and like you, I have also watched a lot to learn the best method to help me excel.
But over the years, I realized that studying at your own pace and using your own method is more effective.
You have to find it on your own.
I tried a lot of methods, and this is what has worked for me so far. I also added my study routine and what helps me survive as a civil engineering student.
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Using Flashcards for Memorization
Engineering is not only about numbers and formulas. There are also minor subjects that have objective-type questions. And let me tell you, I suck at memorizing those kinds of questions.
Is it enumeration? Identification? They are both hard for me!
Hence, I found a way to solve it. I realized that I could memorize more by using flashcards. Either digital or physical copies work for me, but I mostly use physical flashcards.
I also prefer them when memorizing. But it is a bit time-consuming because you have to write everything first before starting to memorize.
So, to maximize my time, I always try to memorize while writing everything on a flashcard.
When I use digital flashcards, I use Anki and the Gizmo app on my phone, but I prefer the first one, which I recently discovered. Gizmo is a bit of a headache when creating flashcards, but its import feature helps me make flashcards quickly.
Two reasons flashcards are useful are active recall and spaced repetition. I can go back to the flashcards I cannot memorize and answer them again later.
How to Solve Problems Effectively
To survive in engineering, you have to solve a lot of problems. Most of the time, people just try to memorize the formula. But one thing that I learned is not only to memorize it.
You have to understand its concept so you can derive a formula when a different type of question is asked. In my case, I always try to understand where every parameter comes from so I can understand it and solve the problem quickly.
After knowing the formulas, I also watch sample problems on YouTube to understand how they are solved and learn how a specific problem is solved.
Then, after that, I try to solve the same problems on my own and look for more problems in books and on the internet to understand their concepts better.
By exposing yourself to different types of questions, everything will start to look familiar, and you will be able to solve any problems given.
Learn to Rest When You Feel Tired
Aside from being lazy, my number one opponent when studying is feeling sleepy. I always feel it when I am studying, but I always try my best to actually start studying. Hence, when I feel sleepy, I do not force myself to study.
When I feel sleepy, I rest and sleep – I do not force myself because it is counterproductive.
What is the purpose of reading and studying a lot of engineering concepts if you can’t really absorb the information?
I realized that when I feel sleepy, sleeping and then waking up makes me feel more motivated and energized to study. I can understand concepts better and solve more problems, which increases my productivity.
Waking up after sleeping (or taking a power nap) helps me absorb information better.
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Does Studying with Music Work?
I have always heard and read that listening to music while studying works. I also tried this before, listening to classical music instead of lyrical ones.
I also tried listening to the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings soundtracks to make studying feel like a journey I should enjoy (you can read this blog by Ali Abdaal to understand its context).
But after doing all of this, I realized that studying in a quiet environment helps me understand and learn better.
However, music somehow helps me study in a crowded place where I can listen to non-lyrical music to block out environmental noise, which can be distracting.
Should You Speak Loudly During Review?
When I am reviewing, I feel that I can understand and learn everything way better when I speak loudly, like talking to myself. It helps me understand everything quickly and feel more engaged in the learning process. I do this mostly when memorizing objective-type questions and formulas and solving problems.
This helps me process concepts and solve problems more effectively. When solving problems, I explain and recite the steps and concepts as if I were teaching someone. This way, I can structure everything clearly, making learning easier.
Drinking Coffee While Studying
I don’t really want to rely on coffee, but recently, I have been drinking a lot of it to stay focused while studying. This often happens at night when I need to review a lot until midnight. It helps me stay awake and review better without feeling sleepy.
However, I keep it balanced by drinking water instead of coffee when I don’t really need to review a lot. This helps me control my caffeine intake and maintain a healthy study routine.
My Most Productive Study Time
I asked everyone before about being an early bird or a night owl, but have you answered yet? After years of studying in school, I realized that I am more productive at night.
I always feel sleepy in the morning, so I just sleep when I have time and study overnight. Most of the time, I stay up late until midnight to review. I even have my own schedule every night so I can study better.
However, I feel that studying at night has its own pros and cons. I think the reason I always feel sleepy in the morning is that I always stay up late. If I had the chance, I would prefer working in the morning and then resting in the evening.
Conclusion
Learning which method works for you will make you productive. And to find that, you must experiment with different things.
You can follow what others do and then test if it works for you. If yes, then good for you! If not, never stop looking for your own method and study routine.
Whether you study at night, use flashcards, or speak loudly during review, everything falls under one word: consistency.
Studying is not about how long you study; it is about how efficiently you use your time.
All images are made and designed by the author using Canva.