I'm not an all-star kind of student. I'm not one of those who easily understand every lecture/ topics from one reading. I'm not one of those students who also remember almost everything (if not everything) that they are reading. I was an average kind of student to say the least. I do my very best to pass every exams I took, mostly yes, some I didn't. The whole time I was in medical school, it was a struggle. I was always struggling to find the best study habits or learning method that would really stick and work for me for good. Sometimes I thought I had it figured out, for a month or two, I'm doing well in studying and getting good exam scores, then suddenly I'm losing it. My years in medical school was like a trial and error thing on how to be able to maximize my time and be able to study well. I feel like I was a loser because I couldn't carry out my study goals. Those series of frustrations and disappointment created an anxiety in me. However, slowly during my Post Grad Internship year, I develop my study habit, not that polished and really consistent, but it was a start. I guess it was out of necessity that I was able to develop it because I really need to review for the board exam after internship and pass it, so I can finally be the Doctor I so long dream to become. But, it was actually after graduation from internship during our formal review for the board exam that I was able to develop well my good study habits.
It started when I was struggling during my review, trying to read and crunch all those reviewers from all different subjects and it felt like my current study habit, though better than before was still far from being so effective in maximizing my time and learning abilities. Also, I guess because I was losing my motivation and my optimism that I can really pass the boards that it really overwhelmed me. It really gets you at some point especially during the intense review days, trust me. Or maybe you won't, lucky you :)
So I stopped reviewing for a few days. Like, really stopped. You may think I really wasted a lot of time during that time. But sometimes you really need to learn and let go of something that no longer serves you. Learn something new and something better. This was the time I came across this quote which became my favorite: " Give me 6 hours to chop down the tree, and I will spend the first 4 sharpening the axe. " by Abraham Lincoln. And it's true, we must a lot more time preparing and sharpening our weapons and tools for us to effectively do what we need to do in a lesser amount of time and energy expenditure.
By sharpening the axe, I meant, I focused watching YouTube videos on how to study effectively. Through it, I came to know Jim Kwik, he is, I would say a master in learning or memorizing. I've learned various study and learning techniques from him. One of which is using Pomodoro Technique. It's when you study for a 25 min period straight with no distractions, not even checking your phone, eating or drinking, just simply studying and understanding what you're reading. After 25 minutes, the bell ring and you'll have a 5 minute short break for your brain to rest and let the information be processed well and consolidate it to long-term memory. There's what Jim Kwik refers to as Primacy and Recency effect. Primacy effect means that you remember well the first few topics you studied while the Recency effect means you remember well the recent topic you studied. How does Pomodoro technique becomes effective, as you can see, 25 min period is not that long, primacy and recency effect will really take effect because there's a short period where your brain is able to rest in taking information and be able to process and consolidate it. Unlike, if you are gonna be studying for 1-2 hour straight, based on the theory of Primacy and Recency Effect, maybe you'll only be able to process and consolidate the information during the first and last 10-20mins of that 1-2 hour straight of study period. The rest of the time and information you took in between was not properly consolidated hence you can't remember them very well. That's I can best describe it, because when I applied it it was that effective I remember most of what I studied even if it was already a few days or weeks ago. I was able to focused studying and not be distracted because my brain knows I just need to focus for 25 minutes at a time and get a reward after for 5 minutes. After a series of 4 cycles you'll get a long break of 25 minutes. It's not really that constrictive, you can have Pomodoro app where you can revised your focus time into 30 minutes or whatever, it's really up to you. Also that was the only way that I was able to do study marathon without getting tired. I start studying at 6:00am until 12:00am everyday since I learned and applied it. My boyfriend noticed how invigorated I was studying so he also did it. It was both effective for us.
You may be wondering, when did we take our shower, cook food for lunch or dinner, do house chores like washing the dishes, doing laundry? Especially at a time like that where every minute count for you to be studying all those reviewers. We did those things during our short and long study breaks. We never felt guilty we are doing other things. Also we are able to break the monotony of just studying and really enjoyed it while doing so. We didn't have the same Pomodoro time stamp, since I start studying earlier than him and I also end studying before him too. During our long break he'll be cooking our food, and mind you it was really great nutritious food he prepared all the time, as if he was a chef. I'm not exaggerating lol. It really was. Hmmmm a wonderful memory. While me, I was helping him prepare food, wash dishes, doing minor cleaning around the house. We took our time eating our food during meal time and have a good chat. It was only during our short and long breaks where we would talk to each other. It was an unspoken rule not to disturb the other while on focus time in Pomodoro app is ongoing.
During this period in my life, I develop the discipline to study and do things at their appointed time. One great thing I learned from YouTube during that time I was immensely focused studying videos on how to be a disciplined, motivated person who can study effectively, I learned about meditation and mindfulness and about making good daily habits. I started waking up early to start my day early as well. I woke up at 4:00am, practice meditation and mindfulness for 30-60mins. After which I'll exercise for about 20-30minutes, then I'll cook food for our breakfast. After cooking breakfast, I'll take a bath and that's when they woke up, together we ate our breakfast. At 6:00am I'll set up my study area and start studying. While studying we are listening to Baroque music, study shows it's effective to increase your focus and memory. I couldn't agree more. All of it played collectively in developing my good personal and study habits. I studied well, I ate well, exercise regularly, making me feel healthier and energetic hence pushing me to be productive even more each day.
That time of my life, our intense review days for the board exam is something I'm truly grateful for. All those good habits and discipline I develop is still in me up until now. I still practice them and I can say it made me even a better person that I once was. It also helped me managed my anxiety because I no longer feel that I'm not in control of my time and my self. May be you can try it too. Research what's the best study technique for you. Develop your daily good habits and make the most of it. Because of it, competition with other people is dissolve and you are just focused in competing with your old self and be better. Always be the better version of yourself each day.
