Study Prof

Part 2 in the series “Getting Into the Study Groove” – See the end of this post for more segments in the series.

Dr. Csikszentmihalyi lists nine different characteristics of the “flow” state, and so far we’ve looked at how the first two–clear/attainable goals and focus–can help us reach study zen. Let’s take a look at the next two.

(3) Distorted sense of time. When you get into the flow, you get all Rip-Van-Winkle. You’ll look up and realize large chunks of your life have tiptoed silently past your study carel and are now lounging about the in the hallway pestering the librarians.

Solution: Set a timer. Your cell phone probably has one built in. If you ‘ve turned off your self phone in a desperate bid for distraction destruction, you may need a watch or egg timer instead.

I kid you not; you will need it.  I used to be the worst about getting distracted (I could daydream on a roller-coaster), (more…)

Double-click any word for the dictionary reference. Check back every day for more words.

abeyance
acne
affinity
ambrosia
anodyne
application
ascertain
austere
barefaced
bereft (more…)

Mental focus or concentration…

is not just for zen masters and chess prodigies. All of us can concentrate extremely well on certain things. Usually, you don’t really notice when you’re completely focused on something. You only realize the degree of your concentration later when you are amazed to find that hours have passed.

For some, those hours slip silently away while they play Halo or while watching Mega-Monster-Movie Marathons.  Some may get lost in a good book or chatting online or shopping or playing basketball. Psychologists, led by a man with the tongue-busting name of Mihalyi Csikszentmihalyi, have called this state “flow,” and have lost hundreds of hours of their own trying to figure out what makes it happen and how they can replicate it.

Csikszentmihalyi, in a Wired Magazine interview, describes this flow state as, “being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The ego falls away. Time flies. Every (more…)

Everyone knows you have to review it to remember it (no matter what “it” is), but don’t make the mistake of thinking that a review has to be hours in length. Do little reviews even during class or while you’re reading.

For example, during a class lecture the entomology professor explains the distinguishing characteristics of the order Diptera, the true flies, and then gets sidetracked by some dweeb asking questions about how bug-zappers do their magic. You take the opportunity to cover up your notes and try and recall those distinguishing features of Dipterans.

Or, perhaps you’re reading your textbook on Medieval Latvian Mortuary Practices. The author has provided you with a beautiful chart outlining crypt stylistic differences from the early to the late Medieval periods. Look over the chart carefully, then immediately cover it up and try to recall it.

These tiny reviews during the initial learning process really lock information into your brain. That means less time spent reviewing later on!

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Setting goals is easy. It’s sticking to them that’s the hard part. Day-by-day motivation can be a real challenge. Pick some (or all) of these and use them to beef up your motivational chops.

Track your progress.

From first-graders putting gold stars on their daily-tasks chart to gym junkies listing their latest bench-press bench mark, tracking your goals is a no-brainer. Don’t worry about getting fancy–that’s just a way to procrastinate. Just put a mark on your calendar-of-choice each day as you complete your goal, and reward yourself with a mental attaboy. You’re one step closer to perfection!

Start Small.

When you take the bull by the horns and begin a new goal, it’s usually because (more…)

Double-click any word for the dictionary reference. Check back every day for more words.

abet
acme
affiliation
amble
annul
append
ascendancy
auspicious
bard
bereavement (more…)

Rank these professions in order of average IQ, highest to lowest (just give it your best guess).

• Neurosurgeon
• Nuclear physicist
• Professor of Law
• New York cab driver

Yeah, yeah. I know what you’re thinking. There are probably some real idiots in those first three professions, and there are probably some certifiable egg-heads driving cabs. But that ain’t the way to bet.

Now rank them again, this time in order of which will know the best route from Central Park to LaGuardia at 5pm on a Friday afternoon.

This time, I’m betting on the cabbie.

Even your relative dullards in the world of cab-driving have (more…)

Double-click any word for the dictionary reference. Check back every day for more words.

aberration
acknowledge
affidavit
ambivalence
annuity
appellation
artless
auroral
barb
bereaved (more…)

Great resources you may have missed…

The Art of BS: How to Succeed on Papers and Essays
I love this article over at CollegeAndFinance.com. It’s great advice on how to get through tough essays, and despite the name, it doesn’t advocate doing sub-par work. Check it out…

Bibliography Makers Online
Check out BibMe, EasyBib or OttoBib. If you’re a Firefox fiend, check out Zotero . Citation-simplicity itself.

Mind Mapping
Check out this video interview of Tony Buzan where he explains mind-mapping (also known as radiant note taking, idea webs, etc.). The video is a bit bombastic, but it’s a decent overview of the concept. I normally use mind maps for planning out talks and papers. They are more work than regular notes, but the extra work and unique format make them much more memorable.

Thinking Guides
This site requires a registration, but I think it’s worth it. It has a variety of guides that will help you think through a particular problem or come up with novel solutions. Give it a try. I’m especially fond of using the “PMI – Plus, Minus, Interesting” guide for thinking through things.

20 References You Can’t Do Without
Here’s a nice summary of useful online reference sources for students, from the good folks over at dailyrevolver.com.

FreeRice is a site that will help you practice your vocabulary while you help feed the hungry.  For every vocabulary word you correctly identify, FreeRice claims to donate 10 grains of rice through the UN to feed the hungry.  Every little bit helps…