10 Rules for Studying

Question 1

What are the rules of good studying?

Answer 1

1. Use recall
2. Test yourself
3. Chunk your problems
4. Space your repetition
5. Alternate different problem-solving techniques
6. Take breaks
7. Use explanatory questioning and simple analogies
8. Focus
9. Eat your frogs first
10. Make a mental contrast

Question 2

How can recall be used?

Answer 2

• After reading learning material, look away and recall the main ideas.
• Highlight only what you put in your mind first by recalling.
• Recall main ideas when outside original learning context.

Question 3

How should you test yourself?

Answer 3

Test yourself by using flashcards.

• Write the question on one side, the answer to the other.
• Handwrite if possible.
• Make the cards memorable by using metaphor or analogy.
• Read the card out loud.
• Space your repetitions, don’t cram!
• Test yourself outside your learning environment, too.

Question 4

What is chunking and how does it work?

Answer 4

Chunking is understanding and practicing with a problem solution so that it can all come to mind in a flash.

• After you solve a problem, rehearse it. Make sure you can solve it cold—every step.
• Play it over and over again in your mind, so the information combines into one smooth chunk you can pull up whenever you want.

Question 5

How can you space your repetition and why should you do it?

Answer 5

• Spread out your learning in any subject a little every day, just like an athlete.
• Your brain is like a muscle—it can handle only a limited amount of exercise on one subject at a time.

Question 6

How can you alternate problem solving techniques?

Answer 6

• Work on different types of problems.If possible, handwrite (don’t type) a problem on one side of a flash card and the solution on the other.
• After every assignment and test, go over your errors, make sure you understand why you made them, and then rework your solutions.
• Randomly flip through your book, pick out a problem, and see whether you can solve it cold.

Question 7

Why should you take breaks?

Answer 7

• Take a break so that another part of your mind can take over and work in the background.
• A little study every day is much better than a lot of studying all at once.
• Plan in some leisure time.

Question 8

How can you use analogies for studying?

Answer 8

• Using an analogy helps, like saying that the flow of electricity is like the flow of water.
• Don’t just think your explanation—say it out loud or put it in writing.
• The additional effort of speaking and writing allows you to more deeply encode (that is, convert into neural memory structures) what you are learning.

Question 9

What can you do to focus?

Answer 9

1. Turn off all interrupting beeps and alarms on your phone and computer.
2. Turn on a timer for twenty-five minutes. Focus intently for those twenty-five minutes.
3. After the timer goes off, give yourself a small, fun reward.
4. Try to set up times and places where studying—not glancing at your computer or phone.

Question 10

How can you use a mental contrast to help studying?

Answer 10

• Imagine where you’ve come from and contrast that with the dream of where your studies will take you.
• Post a picture or words in your workspace to remind you of your dream.
• Look at that when you find your motivation lagging. This work will pay off both for you and those you love!

Question 11

What does it mean to “eat your frogs first”?

Answer 11

1. At the beginning of a week, write down your 1-3 most important tasks you want to tackle.
2. For each day, write down your most important tasks, too. If possible, do this at the end of the day.
3. Each day, start with an important and difficult task (a “frog”).
4. Try working on it for a limited time (25 mins), don’t get blocked. If you don’t succeed, try again later or the next day.