Originally Posted by Odyshape

Over the past two days I hit a revelation on how I retain knowledge. I learn by rewriting things. I am amazed at how well I remember things when I rewrite them. I have been putting studying my Islamic studies class for a very long time and my Islamic final is coming up. Over the past two days I spent about 18 hours with a few short breaks rewriting every power point presentation my teacher posted since the beginning of the semester adding footnotes and sorting and highlighting. I rarely become this motivated about anything and am very proud of my self ! I have end up writing 25 pages of notes that I have strategically highlighted in such a way reading only the highlighted words makes coherent sense and I have been reciting over and over.

The question I keep asking myself is what made me become motivated to do something to stupidly daunting! and I realize now its simple. I saw direct results immediately in my comprehension of Islam as I rewrote everything and I became addicted to learning about it. I am quite happy about this and was wondering if you guys have experienced anything similar about learning about how you learn. Or even just share what motivates you when you go on long studying sessions.


Also on a side note I rediscovered my love for Bee Thousand by guided by voices during this time. It was on the entire time. For a while I couldn't even listen to it I over listened to it so much. It reminded me of the first time I heard the album where I put it on for almost an entire weekend on a perpetual loop What a great album its so inspiring some times hahaha

Wish me luck on my exam! back to studying (this was a good fricking brain release)

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I'm the same way with writing things I'm reading, but it's more an enforcement of reading for me.
For instance, if I need to memorize a list of terms and their definitions, hearing them will help me exactly 0 percent. Reading them will help me half way. But reading and writing them, I will have no worries.
I'm assuming it's a learning style, and probably a fairly common one.

As far as motivation, the absolute ONLY way I can get motivated for serious study is to do it at the very last minute. I'm talking no earlier than the night before, regardless of the project (within reason). The stress focuses me. "Cramming" might be looked down upon, but honestly, with the way I am, it has never let me down. I usually retain more within a compressed period of time and repetition, than an uncompressed, drawn-out period of time with the same repetition.

For me, the choice is obvious.
Now, whether I retain it for longer is another question... I'd say focus on the goal you wish to achieve.

Originally Posted by The Virgin

what? i don't understand you. farming is for vegetables, not for meat. if ou disagree with a farming practice, you disagree on a vegetable. unless you have a different definition of farming.