Daydreaming need not be the enemy of focus. Learn to do it right and you could reap the benefits from more successful revision to more motivation
Efficient Learning
Strategies and tips from the Academic Support team at Touro University California
Category Archives: Memorization
A Memo to Students who have been Disappointed with their Test Grades
Inspired by Richard Felder, Ph.D.
Dear student,
Many of you have told me that your test grades don’t reflect your understanding of the material and asked me what you should do to keep the same thing from happening on the next test. This is my response. Below you’ll find a set of questions about how you’ve been preparing for tests. I suggest that you print this memo and respond to the questions as honestly as you can, and then refer back to the memo and the questions several times before the next test. The question “How should I prepare for the test” becomes easy once you’ve filled out the checklist. The answer is “Do whatever it takes to be able to answer ‘Yes’ to most of the questions.”
Good luck,
Richard Felder
To see the checklist…
A Memo to Students who have been Disappointed with their Test Grades
Inspired by Richard Felder, Ph.D.
Dear student,
Many of you have told me that your test grades don’t reflect your understanding of the material and asked me what you should do to keep the same thing from happening on the next test. This is my response. Below you’ll find a set of questions about how you’ve been preparing for tests. I suggest that you print this memo and respond to the questions as honestly as you can, and then refer back to the memo and the questions several times before the next test. The question “How should I prepare for the test” becomes easy once you’ve filled out the checklist. The answer is “Do whatever it takes to be able to answer ‘Yes’ to most of the questions.”
Good luck,
Richard Felder
To see the checklist…
Student Insight: Hiroe Serves a ‘Big Picture Sandwich’
Hiroe Hu is a student in Touro University California’s College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“Know the big picture.” Despite its simplicity, this was one of the best pieces of advice that I ever received in medical school (thank you, Dr. Lin!). Over the past year, this has become my mantra that served me well in both my academic and personal life.
My study strategy almost always involves the “big picture sandwich.” First, I listen to lecture or watch YouTube videos to grasp the summary of the material. My second pass would be a more in-depth look into the materials: reading the slides, referencing textbooks, memorizing facts, and taking notes to put the knowledge into my own words.
Dear Dr. J: You Can Catch Up!
Dr. J is Touro California Director of Academic Support Dr. Jill Alban.
Dear Dr. J,
I am already getting behind and I’m worried I’ll never catch up! What do you recommend?
— Behind the Wheel on Mare Island
Dear Behind,
Use your week-ends to catch up and get ahead. You have 48 hours. Even if you give yourself 9 hours of sleep, 2 hours of exercise and time for breaks, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up. The most important thing is to create a study plan. Research on study strategies has demonstrated that good students create a study plan and stick to it. Once you’ve made your schedule-set it in stone. Make a commitment to follow it.
Warning! Graduate School Is Different than College!
Graduate school is different than college! Do you remember memorizing and regurgitating, studying into the wee hours of the morning to take an exam in a few short hours and scramming to write that paper the day before it’s due? Unfortunately, this rings true of many students and it may not be the best way to be successful in graduate school.
Student Insights: Jonathan Teaches to Learn
We asked Jonathan Lai, the COP Academic Tutoring & Academic Services Coordinator, “What do you recommend to students in regards to studying and tutoring?” His tips:
During my high school days, studying meant sitting in a room by yourself and staring at a book until you memorized all of the words or steps to solve a problem. In college and pharmacy school, this approach was less than forgiving. Through studying in groups, I came to realize that I learn best by teaching material to my fellow peers.
Student Insights: Alumna Maren’s Tips for All Stages of Your Graduate Education
Maren Hackbusch, PA-C, MPH is an alumna in the Touro University California’s MSPAS/MPH Program.
We asked Maren to reflect back to her time here at Touro and to answer a few questions such as: What worked for you? What didn’t? What do you wish you knew now before you started? Any tips to recommend to the incoming class? Or to those going on rotations?
Pre-“Professional” School:
- Take some time off! Go on a “school”moon! In hindsight, one of the most valuable pieces of advice someone gave to me was to take a vacation before going into graduate school. I know you’re probably thinking, “I don’t have money to go on vacation; I have school to pay for!” But, in the long run, not only are you giving your brain one last “hurrah” before a 3 or 4-year-long, intense program, but $1-2K is not going to make a difference when you have over $$$K of loans. School will be expensive, but it is an investment, and your mental health is worth more.
Continue reading
Student Insights: Walid Gets Great Results Using Spaced Repetition for Test Prep
The pace of learning here at TUC is intense, which can sometimes be overwhelming even for those who have excelled at previous levels of education. We regularly ask students who are at the top of their class to tell us what study strategies they use to keep up.
Walid Aljayosi is a student in Touro University California’s College of Pharmacy.
In my time as a Touro student, I have slowly gotten better and more efficient at using my time to study wisely. When I first began school, I was all about spending entire days in the library toiling away and struggling to get all the information down. Humans were simply not meant to take in information this way.
