A plan for good grades

[TheoPetro]

welp its 7:19am here and I just complted another one of my all night cram-a-thons before a test at 11am. In my delirous state I think I may have figured out how to get that 4.0 that has been hiding from me. Instead of just cramming like this when I have a test. I am going to do it on a weekly basis. Monday night I study for a few hours (3-6) of just ordinary differential equations, wed I study mechanics for the same amount of time, friday I do mod physics. This gives me time to do what I want on sunday, tuesday, thursday, saturday. I can even still go out fridays but it will be at 12 instead of 10.

Basically I have just crammed for exams the night before for the past 2 years. I have done pretty decently on the exams (didnt get below a B on a physics one yet) Most of them are As. The problem with the grades is that I dont learn the stuff untill the exam. So any quizzes or homeworks are bombed. I think this cramming schedule will help those grades out like crazy. After the first 2 weeks I will be far enough ahead to cut it down to 2 nights a week.

Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me. Then again I havnt slept in 2 days.

 

[dguy6789]

The less procrastination you do, the better your grades will be. The step you are taking is one that is in the right direction.

 

[TheoPetro]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
The less procrastination you do, the better your grades will be. The step you are taking is one that is in the right direction.

then it is a good idea? that makes it even better!

 

[DivideBYZero]

You.
Me.
Throat.
Punch.

 

[TheoPetro]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
You.
Me.
Throat.
Punch.

youre all over the threads arnt ya. why do you want me to punch you in the throat though?

 

[BrownTown]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro

Originally posted by: dguy6789
The less procrastination you do, the better your grades will be. The step you are taking is one that is in the right direction.

then it is a good idea? that makes it even better!

lol man, everyone knows its a good idea to study for awhile a few times a week instad of cramming it in all before the test, the problem for most people (like me) is makign yourself study when the test is still a week away.

 

[TheoPetro]

Originally posted by: BrownTown

Originally posted by: TheoPetro

Originally posted by: dguy6789
The less procrastination you do, the better your grades will be. The step you are taking is one that is in the right direction.

then it is a good idea? that makes it even better!

lol man, everyone knows its a good idea to study for awhile a few times a week instad of cramming it in all before the test, the problem for most people (like me) is makign yourself study when the test is still a week away.

see im good when I actually sit down to do it. I can go for hours at a time. Its pretty disgusting actually. I think if I write it down and do it for a week I may be able to make it a habit. Thats the plan anyway.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro

Originally posted by: dguy6789
The less procrastination you do, the better your grades will be. The step you are taking is one that is in the right direction.

then it is a good idea? that makes it even better!

It's just one simple change:

Work first, play later.

My dad taught me that principle in high school, sure wished I had listened then Come home, do your homework before you do anything else, then go off and play on you computer, hang out with friends, play video games, etc. Do your work first, play later. If you never deviate from that you will be all set. Amazingly simple, takes some time to really adopt though.

 

[DaShen]

The trick is to actually care about what you are doing, and then make a conscious effort to work hard and give up on distractions.

Sadly, I did not do this in college. I probably should have chosen something I truly enjoyed instead.

 

[Slammy1]

I did a couple of hours a night except Friday, with weekends to focus on long projects and upcoming tests. I probably spent about half the time preparing to study (organizing notes, marking relevant sections of texts). I also paid for college myself which I think helped (I did have a scholarship, but I also worked), but managing time was the real challenge at that age. What a great discovery in college that girls actually liked (reasonably) smart, nice guys.

 

[WildHorse]

Have a regular place to study, with all the desk supplies and excellent lighting. When you sit in that place your mind clicks into study mode automatically.

Read chapter summary first, then break.

Read through the chapter looking over section headers & illustrations only, then break.

Read actual chapter, break 5 min every 30 during.

On a later occasion read chapter summary again.

Work problems.

Goal: Study for understanding, not just cramming for test.

Key is "spaced repetition" (time-spaced) that's how humans learn the most. Spaced repetition. You power through it all at once, so what? Mostly waste. Go over it several times in time-spaced repetition.

A "break" means stand up & physically move around, stretch, walk, etc. so body's muscles flex, oxygenate, circulation boosted, tiny muscles controlling eye lenses can change focal distance like hunter gatherer moving through forest. Refreshments too.

Break is not sitting at computer game, still sedentary, eyes constantly at same steady focal distance.

Take notes by Cornell method. Actually read & work your notes.

Ideally also look at a couple of other sources regarding same material, to get a different angle on it. Nobody has time for that, but try to. Great way to prep for active participation in class discussion, which Profs reward.

(---leaps off soapbox & flys off into the blue sky---)