- #1
keenPenguin
- 21
- 3
Hi,
I am a Master's student in mainly theoretical physics. When I studied in my Bachelor's, I really didn't enjoy the examns very much: I had a systematic clockwork learning style for preparing myself for the examns. The result is that I usually get the desired (very good) grade, but studying in this way is really painful and sucks, it's outright disgusting. When I would take an examn (even an excellent one) all I could think of was the next examn, and you can imagine that isn't very fun.
Now, in my Master's, I finally have a little more freedom as to when the examns are to be taken. I am experimenting with different studying techniques.
Something I have always loved (since I can remember) were audiobooks. Seriously. I have spent countless hours listening to stories on the bus, and I am always patient while listening. I don't enjoy reading (I mean silently) half as much, nay, 25% as much as listening.
So I had the idea to record some of the book chapters I have to study for my examns as 'audiobooks'. I just read the text with a mic, also read the image captions and the mathematical expressions. I now have like 7 hours of recorded material.
The studying experience is very different. While in conventional reading, I progress very, very slowly. That's a) because I love studying with depth and b) because while getting acquainted with the material, I don't know what's important and what will later turn out as just details.
Also, in classical reading style studying/grasping an idea is often a great effort. I have to think, think, think, and that is a conscious and often tiring effort. In audio learning, I usually just (effortlessly) get some ideas from recording/first listening. This is by far no complete understanding. Then, upon second listening, more ideas become clear, rather effortlessly. This way, through repetition and auditive learning, I spend lots of time revising BUT I learn in a more effortless, less painful and clockwork-style way.
I haven't 'tested' the method in field yet, because the examns are still a couple of weeks away. But I was wondering what you think of it.
Is it nonsense?
Or could it be a good alternative for someone who likes listening/auditive learning?
Is it a slow an shallow way of learning, or might it even be more efficient than conventional learning (given the inclination to be a good/passionate listener)?
I am a Master's student in mainly theoretical physics. When I studied in my Bachelor's, I really didn't enjoy the examns very much: I had a systematic clockwork learning style for preparing myself for the examns. The result is that I usually get the desired (very good) grade, but studying in this way is really painful and sucks, it's outright disgusting. When I would take an examn (even an excellent one) all I could think of was the next examn, and you can imagine that isn't very fun.
Now, in my Master's, I finally have a little more freedom as to when the examns are to be taken. I am experimenting with different studying techniques.
Something I have always loved (since I can remember) were audiobooks. Seriously. I have spent countless hours listening to stories on the bus, and I am always patient while listening. I don't enjoy reading (I mean silently) half as much, nay, 25% as much as listening.
So I had the idea to record some of the book chapters I have to study for my examns as 'audiobooks'. I just read the text with a mic, also read the image captions and the mathematical expressions. I now have like 7 hours of recorded material.
The studying experience is very different. While in conventional reading, I progress very, very slowly. That's a) because I love studying with depth and b) because while getting acquainted with the material, I don't know what's important and what will later turn out as just details.
Also, in classical reading style studying/grasping an idea is often a great effort. I have to think, think, think, and that is a conscious and often tiring effort. In audio learning, I usually just (effortlessly) get some ideas from recording/first listening. This is by far no complete understanding. Then, upon second listening, more ideas become clear, rather effortlessly. This way, through repetition and auditive learning, I spend lots of time revising BUT I learn in a more effortless, less painful and clockwork-style way.
I haven't 'tested' the method in field yet, because the examns are still a couple of weeks away. But I was wondering what you think of it.
Is it nonsense?
Or could it be a good alternative for someone who likes listening/auditive learning?
Is it a slow an shallow way of learning, or might it even be more efficient than conventional learning (given the inclination to be a good/passionate listener)?