CTRL-Ffective studying?!
Niels Bakker | november 17, 2023
Not that long ago, the norm for studying was books and lectures. There were no summaries for sale, lectures to watch online or exam training to take. During corona, everyone’s favorite keyboard combination while taking exams was Ctrl-F to search for the relevant keyword in digital books. It appears as though you’re making it easy for yourself to get passing grades, but could it also be that this is also making you insecure in your development process? Are you really taking in the knowledge? Will this prepare you in the proper way for the later years of study and the professional field? Nowadays, where most of the study is taking place offline again, you may notice that it is time to optimize your approach. Read this blog for a more sustainable study approach, so that you can face the future with confidence.
Don’t just use the summary for exams!
You may receive a passing grade based on the summary in preparation for the exam. However, this is certainly not the rule and often not sufficient. A more useful application of your summary would be to read through the relevant chapters before a lecture. This way you know which topics you have questions about during the lecture.
Know where your attention should go!
Are the lecture slides available in advance? Please read them in advance. This way you can see when topics are discussed that need more attention. This certainly applies to topics that you do not yet understand after reading the summary. If you have trouble paying attention to a lecture for 2 hours, then this approach is definitely your friend! Furthermore, it certainly makes the long sit more interesting, which is good for your motivation!
Do not summarize your summary, but complete it!
We often see students approach the summary like a book. But keep in mind that you are already going through a summary. So this is core knowledge of the subject. Instead add information, like mind maps or paragraphs from the book on difficult topics or parts of the lecture slides. In other words: elaborate your summary rather than shorten it.
Ctrl-F can certainly be helpful!
Do you still have a digital book or a number of articles? Then Ctrl-F is a perfect tool to search specifically for additional information on topics that you do not yet understand after reading the summary and following the lecture.
Do any questions remain?
Preparing the lecture is also helpful in another way. If questions remain, you can discuss them specifically with a study buddy. This way you help each other move forward and you have a much more enjoyable time at the faculty. Even a conversation with your lecturer becomes an option. After all, you know more about the subject and the teacher appreciates a well-thought-out question. This way you will also experience a greater bond during your days at the faculty!
