Take a walk and get far from the computer. I've probably solved more problem by going to the toilets that by staying at my desk. There's plenty of evidence that physical activity is good (e.g....
Take a walk and get far from the computer. I've probably solved more problem by going to the toilets that by staying at my desk. There's plenty of evidence that physical activity is good (e.g. https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2014-14435-001), but it's also letting your mind wander without distraction that helps I think. For example I often just sit in the bus without doing anything in the morning or the evening (might be hard if you are a phone addict).
Trello is a good learning management tool (especially as part of a PhD where your to-do list will get very, VERY long). Stick a paper on it as 'to read', then move it to 'read' and take notes on...
Trello is a good learning management tool (especially as part of a PhD where your to-do list will get very, VERY long). Stick a paper on it as 'to read', then move it to 'read' and take notes on it, pair it with Mendeley or something so you can cite it later.
The other thing to do is teach. TA an undergrad class or 2 in your field and you will gain a level of understanding of the fundamentals of what you're doing that others could only dream of.
You don't need any special tool you need to learn. I find it far more important to use tools to focus. Things like the Pomodoro technique really help in that regard. There was a memory expert as a...
You don't need any special tool you need to learn. I find it far more important to use tools to focus. Things like the Pomodoro technique really help in that regard.
There was a memory expert as a guest on Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone who gave very very simple advice, and it's basically what I have always done without even thinking about it. Simply review what it is you need to learn and test yourself periodically. If you fail at your own tests, you know you need to study some more.
In college I took a course on learning and memory. The first thing to understand is that there is no significant shortcut to learning, it will always be a lot of work. But as you've already found...
In college I took a course on learning and memory. The first thing to understand is that there is no significant shortcut to learning, it will always be a lot of work. But as you've already found out spaced repetition is by far the best method of memorizing facts.
Other than that I can only recommend two other things. The first is that when studying really take a moment to think about the topic. Ask questions and try and relate it to other concepts you've learned. Mere exposure to a concept while studying isn't going to do much. You need to expose them to your "thinking" mind which ends up being a lot of work.
The second thing is to try and connect whatever your learning to your life, community, and really anything else. The more connected an idea is to other ideas the easier it'll be to remember. But beyond that quizzing yourself can be beneficial as well as simply immersing yourself in the content as much as possible.
I don't knowingly use any evidence-based study technique. But I believe that people learn best in vastly different ways. I used to take a lot of notes, but this was time-consuming and I never read...
I don't knowingly use any evidence-based study technique.
But I believe that people learn best in vastly different ways.
I used to take a lot of notes, but this was time-consuming and I never read them again. Today I focus on exercises, projects, etc. This is especially true if I'm using lots of digital resources. Ctrl+f and Google are usually vastly superior to notes, and their so-called memorization benefits are usually lost on me.
Not evidence based, but using an organized note taking application helps me focus. I use microsoft one note, an older desktop version which is free. It links with the newer app on my phone and...
Not evidence based, but using an organized note taking application helps me focus. I use microsoft one note, an older desktop version which is free. It links with the newer app on my phone and ipad.
Of course, I'm sure microsoft and their cousins have complete access to all my notes. Actually I think I could use onenote offline, but wouldn't be able to sync.
Take a walk and get far from the computer. I've probably solved more problem by going to the toilets that by staying at my desk. There's plenty of evidence that physical activity is good (e.g. https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2014-14435-001), but it's also letting your mind wander without distraction that helps I think. For example I often just sit in the bus without doing anything in the morning or the evening (might be hard if you are a phone addict).
Trello is a good learning management tool (especially as part of a PhD where your to-do list will get very, VERY long). Stick a paper on it as 'to read', then move it to 'read' and take notes on it, pair it with Mendeley or something so you can cite it later.
The other thing to do is teach. TA an undergrad class or 2 in your field and you will gain a level of understanding of the fundamentals of what you're doing that others could only dream of.
You don't need any special tool you need to learn. I find it far more important to use tools to focus. Things like the Pomodoro technique really help in that regard.
There was a memory expert as a guest on Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone who gave very very simple advice, and it's basically what I have always done without even thinking about it. Simply review what it is you need to learn and test yourself periodically. If you fail at your own tests, you know you need to study some more.
In college I took a course on learning and memory. The first thing to understand is that there is no significant shortcut to learning, it will always be a lot of work. But as you've already found out spaced repetition is by far the best method of memorizing facts.
Other than that I can only recommend two other things. The first is that when studying really take a moment to think about the topic. Ask questions and try and relate it to other concepts you've learned. Mere exposure to a concept while studying isn't going to do much. You need to expose them to your "thinking" mind which ends up being a lot of work.
The second thing is to try and connect whatever your learning to your life, community, and really anything else. The more connected an idea is to other ideas the easier it'll be to remember. But beyond that quizzing yourself can be beneficial as well as simply immersing yourself in the content as much as possible.
I don't knowingly use any evidence-based study technique.
But I believe that people learn best in vastly different ways.
I used to take a lot of notes, but this was time-consuming and I never read them again. Today I focus on exercises, projects, etc. This is especially true if I'm using lots of digital resources.
Ctrl+fand Google are usually vastly superior to notes, and their so-called memorization benefits are usually lost on me.Not evidence based, but using an organized note taking application helps me focus. I use microsoft one note, an older desktop version which is free. It links with the newer app on my phone and ipad.
Of course, I'm sure microsoft and their cousins have complete access to all my notes. Actually I think I could use onenote offline, but wouldn't be able to sync.