The Benefits Of Studying At Your Own Pace

Written by: Christine Guerrero, RMT, MLS (ASCPi)CM

“All I have learned, I learned from books.”

  - Abraham Lincoln

Learning is a life long process, one learns in various ways and Education is just of them. It is very good indeed that we had a career advancing opportunity to study a Four Year Bachelor degree course and graduate with our diploma to back our future calling. After  years in school, we have learned a lot of things, things that will help us to face and embark the professional field with confidence, because these are the things that we could never learn on our own such as lectures of principles and theories of the subject and demonstration or application in laboratory with full access to lab equipment and tools, another is internship programs and seminars. With all the money and time and effort we invested on our Four years of education in college, one still cannot dispute that we haven't had learned that much, and that is why we should never stop from learning and that is also what the qualifying exams and certification exam are for.  

Even though college graduates thought of needing an extended review class or infamously known as "cram school" in a classroom setting to help them in their review for the qualifying exam one should study and learn on their own because of these reasons;

     
First, One can start studying his or her weakest subject area/s first

Second, one can figure their own approach to learning              

Third, One can decide their own study time according to  their schedule. 

And because there is no need to compete with others after college, they can make most of their study time to actively learn on their own, for the reason that one did not have that luxury of time because as we all know the school has a time-table and specified curriculum which led to only one thing, students have to learn with only specific amount of time in a specific time of a day and in a specific time of the year. And that is what the Study Smarter is for, to help you learn on your own even more after college specially when there is no external pressure such as studying together with other students in a classroom setting that only creates an illusion that everyone is learning in the same speed presuming everyone has understood the subject material for that day, even though that is not always the case. 

One may agree or disagree with me on this, looking back from where I am now, I have observed that during my college years, we have not taught on how to study on our own, and how to really start to learn. We are only taught to memorize facts, such as, what is "Red Blood cell" and of course as a responsible student, I can answer that with all my conviction, "red blood cell or (RBC) is also called erythrocytes, are the most common type of blood cell. Hemoglobin is the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen." While I may have defined RBC based from Hematology textbook, I have not understood what is the point or idea of studying Hematology and why I need to study it for the rest of my life? Why should I be an expert and further study the red blood cells beyond or more than what my professor and lecturers in my review class has already taught me and my precious textbooks? Because you can never be an expert or master without wholehearted commitment in studying the subject by dedicating one's own time and effort. Do not limit yourself on what others has to offer you, DO START LEARNING ON YOUR OWN.

And because we have not learn how to study and learn on our own, we tend to depend to others. I attend an extended review class or the "cram school" after I graduated, and as expected, I Failed the board exam! And I thought by enrolling in a review class I will pass the board exam, clueless as I am, I enrolled in the class and did not learn anything. Why then the other who enrolled in the review class passed the board exam and not me? The answer is simple, they have studied enough during their college years. All they did in the review class was to refresh what the have already learned. Does one see the logic of what I am saying? They passed the exam not because of the particular "cram school" or because of the "lecturer", they passed because they deserve to.  If one does not need a to enroll in a review class why then enroll in a tutorial class or group? Review classroom is different from one-on-one tutorial. The difference is review classroom has a lecturer that studied the subject for you, you are all same studying the same material in a scheduled time in a scheduled day, no more no less, all one has to do is listen and take notes, even though not everyone can carry through. 
But a tutorial means, you are studying on your own effort or have studied already on your own, and what you just need is some clarification in some difficult areas,  a tutor is just guide of you what you should know and how you should do it. 

Another example why I thought enrolling in a review class after graduation is an effective way to pass my board exam is the testimonial hearsay that one can pass the qualifying exam by just, first attend the class, second, listen to the lecturers, third review material are already provided. I have nothing against that, in fact it is right indeed, the lecturers are very good at conducting lesson, I must say they really did their homework, to add to that, the review materials are very helpful. 
So what then is the problem? the problem lies on me, yes myself. I have relied too much and confined all my opportunity of learning to this four-corned walls called "classroom" and I was lazy and I wanted a spoon-fed bits of facts not understanding the concept behind that facts.

To explain further, I have to change my attitude about learning. I begin by unlearning they things that did not help me. I stopped memorizing for the sake of memorizing, I tried understanding every bits of information and i got to the roots by asking myself why I am studying Hematology? Clinical Chemistry? Microbiology and Blood Banking and etc...? So that I could help the people who are suffering from the diseases, and to promote a healthy a living.

There are different Learning approach and study skills and strategies that one can adapt to learn effectively, these are: 

     
1st. Identify your Learning Styles; One could be more on visual or auditory or kinesthetic or combination of two or more learning styles.

According to Linda Wong's Essential Study Skill, "You can lay a strong foundation for learning thoroughly and effectively when you understand your prefered learning style and select study strategies that capitalize on your learning preferences and personal strengths."

     
2nd. Break your study time into chunk sessions such as, 25-30 mins study time, then 5-10 minutes mini-breaks between. According to Dr. Marty Lobdell "Studying more" is not effective, in one sitting.

And make sure to dedicate a "Study area" away from bed. Provide a nice study table, comfortable chair and enough lighting conducive to studying. 
In addition, (this is my secret study technique) prepare freshly brewed coffee for consumption and play a classical music on the background, as I have said in this article. Now you're ready.

    
3rd. Study Actively, First thing, Scan your textbook. Read for the second time, and read out loud. Take important notes, and highlight important facts. Recite, use mnemonics or compose a song about the subject.

    
4th. Summarize the chapter and sub chapters into your own words and see if you really understand the subject.   

    
5th. Review and quiz yourself every after studying.

       

One can see now that there is no need to compete with others when realizing that every person is unique and is different in their approach to learning but still using the same principle. In fact, it is generally known that no two learners are the same. For example, One student may prefer going to a traditional school, but the other are comfortable learning in an online setting, another example, one students may prefer watching video lectures about the Different Metabolism Pathway of Red Blood Cell, Embden-Meyerhof Pathway vs. Pentose-phosphate shunt, for the reason that it is more understandable when taught visually but if it's not discussed in a form of visual map, it will be a bit harder to understand and the learning pace slows down.

The most important reason one should study and learn on their own is they can schedule their own flexible study time. Again, in the Essential Study Skill book, It said, "Time-Management is a skill to help you make balance your pie life in three main areas: school, work, leisure." 
Quoting from my article I posted recently, Learning Time-management helps one balanced their time, balanced means equal amount of time for school, work, and leisure. It is a skill that needs practice, and eventually mastering it will help one meet the desired goal in a span of time or a specific amount of time. Everyone needs everyone, helping a friend, making time for family, and setting time for God and church, do charity works, is using your time wisely. 
As would Ecclesiastes Chapter Three verse One would say,"To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:..."

So you can see that although college graduates thinks they need "cram school" to help them in their review for the qualifying exam by spoon-feeding the facts and not much on the concepts behind the facts, one should study and learn on their own because they know which subject area to study first to and what learning style approach  fits and effective to them, and lastly, they can decide their flexible study time schedules. Leading to a healthier and smarter study sessions at your own pace.

Abraham Lincoln as we all know, is the nominated president of the United States during the American Civil War (1861-1865), He is the guy who wrote the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation, a proclamation that abolished slavery, strengthens the Federal Government, and modernized the economy.

From wikipedia, "Lincoln was largely self-educated. His formal schooling from several itinerant teachers was intermittent, the sum of which may have amounted to less than a year; however, he was an avid reader and retained a lifelong interest in learning." 

Thus, explained the reason he said, “All I have learned, I learned from books.”

Perhaps, I could safely say, Abraham Lincoln is the father of DIY or Do it Yourself, pun intended. But seriously, If Mr. President Abraham Lincoln cannot convince that one can study on their own at their own pace, then who can?!

Work Cited:

Abraham Lincoln, “All I have learned, I learned from books.”

Christine Guerrero, http://studysmarteronline.blogspot.com/2016/02/classical-music-coffee-and-studying.html, 2/14/16

Christine Guerrero, http://studysmarteronline.blogspot.com/2016/02/managing-time-school-work-and-leisure.html, 2/12/16

Dr. Marty Lobdell, "Study Less, Study Smart" Youtube video lecture

Chapter 3, p. 85 of Managing Your Time from the book Essential Study Skills by Linda Wong

Abraham Lincoln, 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln#Early_life_and_family_ancestry

DO Study Smarter, Do NOT Study Harder, A

DO Study Smarter, Do NOT Study Harder, A

“Daig ng maagap ang masipag!” –Old Filipino Saying

by: Rev. Hope Jordan D. Guerrerro

      Teachers will tell you that the laziest boy in the class is the one who works hardest in the end. They mean this. If you give two boys, say, a proposition in geometry to do, the one who is prepared to take trouble will try to understand it. The lazy boy will try to learn it by heart [i.e., memorize the answer] because, for the moment, that needs less effort. But six months later, when they are preparing for an exam., [sic] that lazy boy is doing hours and hours of miserable drudgery over things the other boy understands, and positively enjoys, in a few minutes (Lewis 163). Many dread reviewing for an exam because it happens to be so hard. But often, what they actually mean by “reviewing” is actually cramming , and this is one of the most common causes of why people f ail in exams . The other common cause, which is actually closely related to cramming, is what is known (inaccurately) as “studying hard”.

      Even though most people will say that only by studying harder will a person be assured of having a chance of passing an exam, one should definitely NOT study harder when one can study smarter for two main reasons. First, this is because studying harder will actually cause you to fail your exam. Ever heard of the runner who overtrained herself that by the actual race she was too exhausted to catch up with those who did not train as intensively? The same with those people who “tried so hard” studying and then failed the exam. Exhausting oneself is not a good strategy.

But most importantly, this is because studying smarter can dramatically increase your chances of success. Most sport boxers or amateur wrestlers think that by merely lifting weights and learning to overpower the opponent as the main thing they should do. Then they meet one trained in either Jujutsu or Karate who is not as large or as physically strong or as fast. More often than not, technique will overcome mere physical speed and power, and the martial arts exponent overcomes her stronger or quicker opponent. The sight of a jujutsu exponent throwing a much larger and stronger opponent with such minimal effort it seems so magical is a testament to the effectiveness of technique. 

C.S. Lewis, the famous Oxford professor and author, said that mere memorization may seem like studying, but it is actually just a mask for laziness. Ironically, it is the lazy memorizer who eventually exhausts oneself and who at the exam forgets everything one has memorized in the phenomenon known as the infamous “mind block”. By contrast, the one who at the very beginning attempted to understand the subject in question long before the exam , may not seem to be working hard at all (to the annoyance of the one studying hard), but then impressively breezes through the exam.

      And this is the main reason why this tutorial is NOT a “be prepared for exams in two weeks” thing. At least three months of preparation is necessary—take note, THE VERY LEAST. This is what the old saying means, d aig ng maagap ang masipag , the one who prepares beforehand overcomes the one who merely works hard. S o how does one study hard? What does it mean to “study” if memorization is NOT studying? PRACTICE = STUDYING; “PRACTICE SMARTER, NOT HARDER” Practicing IS studying. The basic mistake one makes when studying for an exam is that they do not p ractice taking exams. They study as if preparing for a class recitation. Sothe essential component of studying for an exam is practicing taking exams, and this is

what the LabCE “Exam Simulator” is for. Practicing smarter has three stages: 1) the crawling stage, 2) the walking stage, and 3)the running stage.

1. The Crawling Stage. ‘ Take a practice test [i.e., the LabCE Exam Simulator]
with no time constraints, with all study helps [text books, flash cards, &c.] “open
book.” Take your time with questions and focus on applying strategies (Medical
Technologists 10).’ It is very important that at this stage o ne does NOT focus on
the exam score at the end . What is being trained here is understanding .

2. The Walking Stage. ‘Take a practice test with time constraints, with all guides
“open book” (ibid. 10).’ Even at this stage one does NOT focus on the exam score
at the end. What is being trained here is both understanding and p acing . ‘Wear a
watch. ... By pacing yourself, and continually monitoring your progress against
your watch, you will always know exactly how far ahead or behind you are with
your available time (ibid. 6).’

3. The Running Stage. ‘Take a final practice test with no open materials and time
limits. (ibid. 10).’ By repeating this stage again and again, one gradually
conditions oneself to the full rigors and stress of the actual exam (ibid.) much like
practice running prepares one for the actual race. It is also at this point that both
pacing and s core results matter. Therefore, ‘don’t skip one question without
spending any time on it, just to catch up. Take 15 fewer seconds on the next four
questions, and after four questions you’ll have caught up (ibid. 6).’

At the start you will primarily doing crawling . Most of your studying will be walking, but as the day of examination draws near you must do more running by then. When running becomes fatiguing, start walking for a while, then resume running . If you stumble and fall while running , start crawling , then resume running as soon as possible. In an exam, time will be greatest enemy (ibid.). But always remember “that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all (Ecclesiastes ix. 11, Dobelli 281283).”

Works Cited

Dobelli, Rolf. “The Boat Matters More Than the Rowing: Illusion of Skill,” T he Art of Thinking Clearly,

translated by Nicky Griffin . New York: Harper Collins, 2013.

Lewis, Clive Staples. “Is Christianity Hard Or Easy,” M ere Christianity. New York: Collier Books,

Macmillian Publishing Company, 1952.

Medical Technologist Exam Secrets – Study Guide: Your Key to Exam Success . Mometrix Media.

Classical Music, Coffee and Studying

"Without my morning coffee I'm just like a dried up piece of roast goat."

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) The Coffee Cantata

"Coffee: Induces wit. ..."

Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880)

Most people do not think of classical music and coffee together, and yet one of the  best ways to maximize one's thinking is listening to classical music while sipping a  strong, brewed cup of coffee. Many indeed challenge this notion, saying that any music  (including heavy metal or death rock!) one enjoys maximizes ones thinking, and brewed  coffee a mere luxury for people with money. Even though brewed coffee is expensive and  classical music is often boring or tiring or both, still one should start listening to  classical music while studying and reading with brewed coffee or cappuccino or  espresso, whatever your preference because while the classical music stimulates our  brain into working effectively, it does even more by improving the attention span  and by enhancing  concentration and focus.

A bag of coffee beans can cost more than half of a day's salary and a cup of freshly  brewed coffee can range from a thirty pesos to a One Hundred and fifty pesos depending  on the branding or the name of the coffee shop or establishment. And although the taste of fresh coffee is irresistible, not  everybody likes the taste of coffee, sometimes it maybe too acidic or too strong for  them and these could turn them away and would prefer a better alternative than coffee  such as adequate water consumption, organic veggies, balanced diet and tea for healthier brain leading to an effective studying and concentration. Same in the case of classical music, not all has a love for classical music or has a taste  for one. Because classical  music is not very popular in today's societal musical taste, it will be very difficult  to ask a college student to switch music genre from pop to classical; In my own  experience, transistioning from pop musical preference to a classical music did really  took me a long time to like it, at first I thought of it as boring and uninteresting.  Greg Sandow argued in Pop vs. Classical that pop music has the same effect as of the classical music, it can also stir one's emotion, evoking emotional and spiritual content, implying that listening to  pop music could also improve one's concentration and studying.

But although brewed coffee can be expensive and classical music is often boring or tiring or  both to modern hearers used to pop music, still one should start listening to classical music while studying and reading  with brewed coffee because while pop music may have the same effect as classical music, it is classical music that has a greater effect than pop music in stimulating our brain into working effectively. According to the article Studying for finals? Let classical music help,  

University research in France, published in Learning and Individual Differences, found  that students who listened to a one-hour lecture where classical music was played in  the background scored significantly higher in a quiz on the lecture when compared to a  similar group of students who ?heard the lecture with no music.

The researchers  speculated that the music put students in a heightened emotional state, making them  more receptive to information.

And if one is inclined to think that any other genre of music will have the same effect, the article continues, "But make sure you are listening to classical music, because not all music aids blood pressure, a University of San Diego study found."

Scientists at the university compared changes in blood pressure among individuals listening to classical, jazz or pop music. Those listening to classical had significantly lower systolic blood pressure when compared to those listening to other musical genres or no music at all.

If testing anxiety causes sleepless nights, classical music can help soothe insomnia. A team of researchers at the University of Toronto found that tuning into classical music before bedtime helped  people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Works by Brahms, Handel, Mozart, Strauss and Bach  were effective sleep aids because they use rhythms and tonal patterns that create a meditative mood and slow brainwaves, the study found.

What this means is that while a person studying to the tune of classical music is just as receptive to one studying with pop music in the background, listener of classical music is more relaxed which enhances significantly the effect of study.

The most important reason why one should start listening to classical music is, according to Chris Boyd Brewer, "Baroque music, such as that composed by Bach, Handel or  Telemann, that is 50 to 80 beats per minute creates an atmosphere of focus that leads  students into deep concentration in the alpha brain wave state. Learning vocabulary,  memorizing facts or reading to this music is highly effective." Thus, it help establish  a more positive learning state than pop music, create a more desired relaxing atmosphere, increases attention span, focus concentration and improve memory. This all the more when combined with coffee, which improve the brain's memory and attention span because of caffeine's  cognitive enhancing effect, one might find classical music and freshly brewed coffee a perfect combination for optimal  learning.

So you can see that although brewed coffee is expensive and classical music is perceived as either boring or tiring, still one should start listening to classical music while  studying and reading with brewed coffee or cappuccino or espresso, whatever your  preference for two main reasons. First, while both pop and classical music may have the same effect (which is debatable, at best), classical music stimulates our brains more effectively than pop music, it does even more by improving the attention span especially  when combined with coffee. But most importantly, the combination of classical music (or more specifically, Baroque music and Mozart) and coffee has greater effect on the person's concentration and focus than pop music ever would, for pop music is more distracting and therefore less conducive to focused study. Bach, the preeminent Baroque composer whose music is one of the suggested listening for studying, has expressed his love for coffee through the Cantata he made about coffee. I think that Gustave Flaubert got it right when said, "Coffee induces wit," for many years later  science proved his assertion. I had my caffeine fix this morning and Vivaldi on the background, this two components when combined together instantly enriched my brain with so much ideas  that needed to be written down, so here it is, my thesis on coffee and classical music.  And coffee need not be very expensive at all, for one doesn't have to go to a coffee shop  to get one's caffeine fix. There are now easier and cheaper ways to brew fresh coffee at home. So try sipping warm coffee, turn on youtube and play some classical  music for studying and concentration--simple and easy as pie.

Citations:

Greg Sandow, Pop vs. Classical, www.artsjournal.com, 2008

Allison Engel, Studying for finals? Let classical music help, www.news.usc.edu, 2014

Chris Boyd Brewer, Music and Learning: Integrating Music in the Classroom, John Hopkins  School of Education, 1995

Managing Time: School, Work and Leisure

Everyday in our life we set aside a time and much of this is for studying and working either outside or at home doing some errands and house chores. After high school or college comes next is entering the professional career and that again is work and study but more in working. The question is where is the leisure part comes in? Some would say, "I have no time for fun", "I need to work harder"... But is it worthwhile?

Studying and working hard is very essential in building one's career or future economic stability. The benefits that one can reap from being diligent at what he does is vastly enormous. As Marlon Wayan says, "Success is not a destination, but the road that you're on. Being successful means that you're working hard and walking your walk every day. You can only live your dream by working hard towards it. That's living your dream." Even Vince Lombardi Jr. agreed too by saying,“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything.” I could almost claim that because of my hard work I graduated from college, and after years of studying hard finally passed the qualifying exams. But how I did it, blows me away! What I discovered along my journey to success is the missing piece to my pie chart, first is Study, second is Work and lastly Leisure. Spending quality time with my family and friends and at church is one of the most satisfying and fulfilling things. It refreshes one's mind, it creates a clearer thinking mindset and a wider perspective. In these times I've got to rest, pray, recharge and do my favorite hobbies and this is where my inspirations is built.

Working and studying hard can benefit us from achieving almost anything, but it doesn't guarantee success in a world's point of view. Because there are a lot of factor to consider in become "successful" n the world. These are just few but important factor such as wealth, connections, and a little bit of politics and successful communication or marketing oneself. The link between the gap of "working hard" and "success" is known as of what we called "Working Smarter". As the saying goes, "Time is gold" so better use time wisely and part of working smarter is Time management. Chapter 3, p. 85 of Managing Your Time from the book Essential Study Skills by Linda Wong, says, "Time Management is a highly prized skill in both the work force and the academic world. Learning to manage time effectively will help you meet your goals, be productive, and achieve success in many different avenues of your life. The following strategies will help you apply your time-management skills more effectively and consistently."

How to apply Time Management?
First, Be Flexible - Set a flexible daily task to accomplish each day. Even the littlest thing done is a great achievement. If a task is a long term process, patience is the key. Just keep on working on it.
Secondly, Post a note reminder - Post a note of things to do, in your work area and even right in front door of your fridge, this will remind you of your daily tasks and schedules to meet, knowing your schedules, maybe your family and friends could help in their little own way.
Third and lastly, Seek Solutions to Time-Management Problems. "Some would find that their lives have specific circumstances that make creating a weekly time-management schedule difficult. Be resourceful and seek solutions to your scheduling conflicts. Discuss your circumstances with your instructor or with other students; frequently they will be able to suggest solutions." Chapter 3 p.85, Managing your Time, Essential Study Skills by Linda Wong.

To summarize it, Learning Time-management helps one balanced their time for studying and working and for leisure. It is a skill that need to be practiced, and eventually mastering it will help one to  achieve the desired goal in a span of time or a specific amount of time. Everyone needs everyone, helping a friend, making time for family, and setting time for God and church, do charity works is using your time wisely. As would Ecclesiastes Chapter Three verse One would say,"To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:..."



Written by:


 Marlon Wayan says, "Success is not a destination,...."; Vince Lombardi Jr.,“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. work is the key to success,...."








Chapter 3, p. 85 of Managing Your Time from the book Essential Study Skills by Linda Wong,

Dear Readers, Welcome!

Dear Readers,


Welcome to Jiko-ryu Tutorial Services!

Jiddu Krishnamurti once said,, "There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning."

In here, I'll be posting and writing on how to study smarter not just harder or in other words, how to start learning smarter. How to study smarter can help one on how to organize study material and how to use it 'the learned material' to full use and make it stay in your memory for a longer time. This is a skill that one will benefit from saving a lot of time and resources preparing for exams and deadline of paper works and projects.
Learning is a lifetime process, we mostly learn outside of the classroom and schools. Applying these learning principles in day to day life will help one become smart decision maker, good manager of time and properly and effectively use it, and lastly one become part of an active solution to the problem no matter what life bring and what situation one maybe into.

Come and join this journey to better learning!



Yours Truly,