Study Prof

Another random family photo. I wanna party with these guys!

I recently received an email from one of my students with several great questions. I thought these issues, and their answers, might benefit everyone.

Hi Cody,

Some study issues that I have noticed that I have is not in how I study but when I study.  I have a horrible habit of procrastinating and only studying a minimal amount at the last minute…. Now, I will not say I have made bad grades by doing this, and actually much to the chagrin of my peers I always am one of the top scores in the class and normally manage an A in the course….

I’m with ya’. I used the same technique when I was an undergrad, back when the earth’s crust was still hardening. But–Danger Will Robinson!!!–The procrastinate and cram technique has several killer flaws, which (more…)

Crack that whip, people.

From a 2004 study by Martin Seligman and Angela Duckworth done with American 8th graders…

Self-discipline … accounted for more than twice as much variance as IQ in final grades, high school selection, school attendance, hours spent doing homework, hours spent watching television (inversely), and the time of day students began their homework. The effect of self-discipline on final grades held even when controlling for first-marking-period grades, achievement-test scores, and measured IQ. These findings suggest a major reason for students falling short of their intellectual potential: their failure to exercise self-discipline.

Homely site, but the section on “Motivation and Concentration” has some valuable info. Scroll down a bit, and you’ll find the heading in large red letters.

http://www.norreg.dk/ib/ibstudyskillsframe.htm

Remember, getting to work when we don’t want to is a learned skill. We have to train ourselves to get motivated on command.

Here are the final three motivation busters. Make sure to check out the first two articles in the series if you haven’t already.

1. Blow up the little problems - Sometimes a little problem can cause more motivation frustration than a big problem. That little issue of (more…)

Part two in the series…

1. Shake it up – Get pumped up by acting like you’re really stoked. Think Dwight Schrute, from The Office. He psyches himself up for an upcoming sales call by doing some heavy metal air guitar kicks and jumps, and talking about how he’ll DOMINATE! Sounds silly, I know. But it works (although it does make my downstairs neighbors mad.)
2. Just take the next step – You don’t have to read (for example) all seven volumes of the Giant Compendium of Skin Diseases, like the prof assigned. All you have to read is that next page. Once your finished with that, pat yourself on the back, and then tackle the page after that. One step at a time.
3. Plan to prevail – Map out how you’ll get started and what each step will be. Get up early, lay out your tools, turn off all distractions, provide yourself with food and drink, and get crackin’. It’s much harder to shirk when you’re all prepped and ready to go.
4. Inspire yourself - Please log in or sign up to read the rest of this content. Find out more.

Lacking the uuumph to bust out that text book on, The Fascinating History of Colloids? Fear not, grasshopper. Here are 13 slick tips to overcome your motivational malaise (this is part one).

1. Consider why you are doing it – Step back to get the broad perspective. Where does this fit into your life goals? Example: “I’m studying this to get an A on that next exam so I can become the world’s greatest puppeteer and avenge Jim Henson’s nasty comments about my father’s ventriloquism talents. Curse you, Jim Henson! Curse you!”
2. Commit to 5 minutes – Promise yourself you’ll (more…)

“Aarrrgh! I so don’t want to study tonight.”

I understand, and I’ve been there. Here are some basic steps to get you going…

Ugly site. Powerful rules. Take a look.