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Study guide for engineering

Start of school year (or catching up)


Read the syllabus Read the intro and summary of each chapter of the recommended book (yes, this is hard and tedious but youll know your shit) Compare the syllabus with the textbook Ask for the office hours Get to know at least 2 people in your class (useful for getting notes and stuff, make sure you do the same for them, though) Check all deadlines and dates relevant Gather supplies now

Before each class


If you are thinking of skipping it, do a cost-benefit analysis: basically, how long will you have to study by yourself to make up for it. If its more than the class takes, go Get there 5 minutes early Verify your position in the disciplines study plan Read the previous chapter and the chapter youre on. If short on time, read only the first and last paragraph Write questions down about the subtitles. Ask them to the teacher if they arent answered during the lesson Examine images carefully Write down new words and concepts Try to make a connection to the previous lesson

During class
On each page of notes leave a space on top (for a summary) and a side bar to add an outline later Copy every sample-problem, with all the intermediate steps Note: bog ideas/concepts, images and legends and all that is repeated Do not worry about presentation, just keep your notes minimalist even if it takes up more paper Ask questions

After class
Fill empty spots in your notes and clear up doubts asap Use your personal system of processing info to organize it (do you like flashcards, plain notes?) Try to connect new info with previous knowledge Write down the summary Think what the purpose of this lesson was: which principles were applied and to which problems? Add the outline to your notes Think up aditional questions Try to get a head start on your homework Read again the chapter in study and do it actively (underline, ask questions and shit) and relate it to your homework

Study
Before getting started make sure you have all you need The hours you have pre-designated for study must be sacred! (video games and outing with friends should be re-scheduled to your free time) Learn things ONCE by asking the question why? repeatedly until you truly understand shit No multitasking with music or TV (do what works best for you but I work best in complete silence of lyric-less upbeat music in a low volume) Organize knowledge in webs where concepts connect instead of boxes where they are by creating connections with pictures and examples. If needed, force it with a stupid metaphor Do not go study: have specific tasks you want to accomplish like solving a list of 5 problems or reading one chapter. Put a deadline on it too Pay attention to the environment before you start: is it right? Examine furniture, supplies and noise. You cant concentrate right in a wobbly chair Work over the same content in different ways: read, rewrite, summarize Rewrite your notes in small sets for easy reviewing Study in small chunks of time with breaks (pomodoro?) When in break, get up, move and be social Make mini-guides with the answers to all the questions about a certain subject. It makes for easy reviewing Make a formula guide/sheet for each course At the end of each study session: review, ask stuff, read, read aloud, test yourself about it Or just read, rewrite and read what you wrote

Verify your dominion over a theoretical fact by stating it, explaining why and connecting it with other ideas. List a typical problem featuring it and how it helps solve it Break it down in simpler and simpler terms until you can explain to someone who doesnt know shit about it like an arts major or something Keep in mind the forgetting curve and schedule review sessions accordingly. Repeat each content the day itself, the following day, week and month. This means each day you should review stuff you were taught yesterday, last week and last month

Assignments
Make a list of goals Plan how youll get to them Reverse engineer your dates, use something like http://planner.bulibtools.net/ Ask the teacher to clarify any question about the assignment asap Gather all the info you can Research it Organize all the info you have into chapters or themes before you begin Write in two phases: free writing with no edit and careful editing, leaving at least 24h between stages Deliver a good looking version to the teacher, even if you need to rewrite it Look for feedback before the deadline if possible

Presentations
Include slides for presentation, outline, a section title and a summary in the end Keep the slides tidy and simple Talk to the audience, dont read Keep eye contact, ask for questions

Reading
When reading take notes, make small summaries, ask questions Make yourself a mini quiz and answer it at the end of each chapter

Problems
Start the resolution of a problem asap Read the instructions twice, the whole thing Reduce it as much as possible What it the principle they want you to apply?

What do you need to find? Name them What to I have? List given data and formulae Make a scheme, legend it, name all variables, given data, units used and whatnot If you cant go on on your own, reread the relevant chapter first and your notes on it too Try by yourself first before asking for help from a teacher or older student Start with the easy tasks On a difficult problem, do all you can. When stuck, try to identify why. If you still dont know how to unstuck yourself after a break, ask for help Verify if your solution is plausible Verify your resolution, solution and units Later on, remake by yourself every problem you needed help with Practice with real problems as much as possible

At the teachers office


Go remove doubts you have Make specific questions Verify your progress Bring supplies This isnt a class! Ask for feedback about your self-made tests

At home
Before going to sleep, review your day (study and self-evaluation) Plan tomorrow with tasks and times, be attentive to priorities and energy levels Pick your clothes for tomorrow Verify your calendar for important stuff coming up Keep a to-do list Establish a cutoff hour for work after which you are no longer productive. For me its 22 or 10pm Keep your shit mostly organized so you can find whatever you need easily

Before tests/exams (madness week)


Start early, 2 weeks early if needed Make a set of compressed notes, using your mini-guides and notes Check your progress Ask for help now if you need it Review your homework problems (remake them?)

Make a list of themes you need to study Make sure of what you can do in the available time: be equal parts realistic and ambitious Solve previous exams, make your own and solve them Ask the teacher for help with your sample tests Solve more problems Give all the subjects a once over before theres only a week to the exam. Then you can ask for help before everyone else is too. Diversify your study, all disciplines/courses each day for the same reason Define the exam: how long it lasts, what do you need to bring, how much its worth to your grade, content being evaluated, place The night before: quick review of related content, make your backpack including a snack and water, go to bed early and avoid sugar

During tests/exams
Bring 2 pencils and pens Avoid caffeine Get there 15 min early Hear the instructions given verbally very carefully Write down your name and read the whole thing (twice) before starting Start with the easy ones Show all your work, no step is too small

Schedule
Keep yourself in the loop by scheduling reading in your downtime. Include a magazine relevant to your field like a science journal Leave extra hours to fill when an urgent assignment comes up or an exam, and extra hours for fun too! Check if the time you are dedicating to academia is enough for your success Block off mandatory study time for each course per week. Use it to study, do homework and generally keep up with the program Include at least two extra catching up hours in the week. If youve been good with the rest, it will mostly be free time but use it to finish last details on an assignment or something Evaluate the value that extra-curricular bring to your life compared to how much time they take up Schedule a weekly hour as a review time: review your previous week and plan the next, paying attention to deadlines

Work daily: at least 9 to 5 like a real job. This should make sure every night is free and with no pending work

Motivation
Studying is not a race, its more like a stretch before one Success is a skill Stick to the plan Make checklists to stick to the plan Dont aim to outshine the brightest (yet), outshine the average student Work until your idols are rivals When in downtime think which the best use of your time is. Learn something Goals arent easy but they shouldnt be either You may regret it along the way but dont complain: boot camp is hard Dont fight the system: learn it and make it work for you Dont be a problem Respect your leaders Respect is earned, slowly, keep your cool Fear motivates, panic paralyzes. Dont panic Do not wait for inspiration. Take responsibility and act Make goals clear, simple and ambitious Answer the three magical questions: what to I want? What will I do to get it? What am I willing to give up? Youre in control, always Do small tasks to earn motivation

Personal
Gain energy without caffeine: bright light, movement, music Connect with people: share info that interests THEM, ask that to other people (maybe even introduce them), offer help, dont ask for anything yet Later: share more info to their interest (or even to their family), introduce two contacts of yours, invite them to interesting FREE event Avoid heavy foods and studying around lunch (zzz) Try themed weeks in your down time to research and learn about stuff that interests you like photography or survival tricks

On vacation
Review goals Start projects

Enjoy rest Keep your mind in shape (read) Study something you like/love Get ready for the next round

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