INFP's study techniques?( college )
[INFP]
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I don't have study techniques. High school was too easy because if you just listened and thought about the lectures (oh hey, those are like, the two things I'm good at), you could pass no problem. This has since carried over to college where I'm scrambling at 4am the day of a midterm.
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I don't know if this is an infp thing or just me, but i find studying to be very tedious. Reviewing all the little details is exhausting. For me what helps is taking breaks. If I'm stuck doing something I find pointless I will get exhausted very quickly. I will half do it, and at that point its not really doing me any good. Once you start feeling drained, get up, walk around, read a book or watch some YouTube. Once you feel re-energized go back and work until you feel drained once again.
Also, I know that as perceivers procrastination is practically second nature to us, but try to fight against it as much as you can. You don't need to have a carefully laid out plan of how much you're going to study each night, but if you know that you're going to be up till 5 studying for all the crap that history exam is over if you wait to the last minute, try to study a lbit ahead of time.
Pairing up with a Judger will help too. You know, the kind that keeps a planner for what they're going to wear this week. Sure you might get a little bit annoyed when they insist that you need to start studying 2 weeks ahead, but you will definitely thank them afterwards
Also, I know that as perceivers procrastination is practically second nature to us, but try to fight against it as much as you can. You don't need to have a carefully laid out plan of how much you're going to study each night, but if you know that you're going to be up till 5 studying for all the crap that history exam is over if you wait to the last minute, try to study a lbit ahead of time.
Pairing up with a Judger will help too. You know, the kind that keeps a planner for what they're going to wear this week. Sure you might get a little bit annoyed when they insist that you need to start studying 2 weeks ahead, but you will definitely thank them afterwards
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Ehmm. Sit down quietly and study. On my own. I never had problems with studying, I was always very motivated to learn.
What can help you perhaps is that you immediately start finding practical applications for the theoretical knowledge you just learned. So what I mean: when you learn about a new theory write down your examples of real world applications or make your own calculations instead of just reading/learning about the examples in your study book. Applying knowledge might be a lot more fun for you than just reading about it. Its a more active way of studying. Also, I second @ellee.edman her point about taking breaks. Study for 30 minutes, take a 5 minute break. That always helped me out.
What can help you perhaps is that you immediately start finding practical applications for the theoretical knowledge you just learned. So what I mean: when you learn about a new theory write down your examples of real world applications or make your own calculations instead of just reading/learning about the examples in your study book. Applying knowledge might be a lot more fun for you than just reading about it. Its a more active way of studying. Also, I second @ellee.edman her point about taking breaks. Study for 30 minutes, take a 5 minute break. That always helped me out.
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Some ideas, could be personal learning preferences, could be INFP/not INFP related:
1. Taking notes not only keeps me awake, it's the easiest way for me to learn from lectures. If you're the same, take a laptop to school and type away.
2. Don't beat yourself up over procrastination: I redirect myself into doing something productive instead. If I can't get motivated for one class, I'll study another, or do misc. chores. At least I'm getting 'something' done. Feeling bad about procrastination doesn't help anything.
3. For books, I generally take notes for those too, but I tend to over-do it. Be brief with book notes; write down only what you don't already know. If you really can't understand a concept the book is telling you, try to paraphrase the entire paragraph. Or talk it though with peers.
4. I'll respectfully disagree about breaks: I only take breaks when I feel I need them, not every x amount of minutes. That's just me though: if I get into something I'll obsess over it.
5. Talk with people about your new learning. Peers in class is fine, especially when you have questions of your own. If you can teach a friend who isn't in the class about your new learning, then you know you're ready for the test/assignment.
6. You could also try and rewrite your notes. I don't find that this helps me, but it would make you revisit what you've learned.
1. Taking notes not only keeps me awake, it's the easiest way for me to learn from lectures. If you're the same, take a laptop to school and type away.
2. Don't beat yourself up over procrastination: I redirect myself into doing something productive instead. If I can't get motivated for one class, I'll study another, or do misc. chores. At least I'm getting 'something' done. Feeling bad about procrastination doesn't help anything.
3. For books, I generally take notes for those too, but I tend to over-do it. Be brief with book notes; write down only what you don't already know. If you really can't understand a concept the book is telling you, try to paraphrase the entire paragraph. Or talk it though with peers.
4. I'll respectfully disagree about breaks: I only take breaks when I feel I need them, not every x amount of minutes. That's just me though: if I get into something I'll obsess over it.
5. Talk with people about your new learning. Peers in class is fine, especially when you have questions of your own. If you can teach a friend who isn't in the class about your new learning, then you know you're ready for the test/assignment.
6. You could also try and rewrite your notes. I don't find that this helps me, but it would make you revisit what you've learned.
I find for me that if I pretend I'm teaching the subject to someone else it helps me to learn it. Which usually means when I'm working through problems I'm verbalizing my thought process and the steps I'm doing. That way I'm more likely to remember the topics.
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most common is to make plans to study one subject and end up studying 5 as a result of seeing links between all of them. 2 hrs of study = 1hr of study of the subject you are actually required to learn about. however, it's easier to be stimulated for much longer when the flow of concepts and information is less linear. 2nd most common is to sit next to someone who's studying really hard, then study the required subject for 20 mins, then burn out as a result of 90% of the energy being used to stay focused, then get bored and watch stand up comedy for half an hour. lastly, watch a TV program related to what you're studying e.g. if you're a medic you can watch house. the struggle with this method is having to find a way to convince yourself that this is a valid method of studying. once some subject related terminology starts to drop you should be good to go. this method goes hand in hand with cramming 2 days before the exam as if your life depends on it.
i already know which method you're going to choose. happy cramming
i already know which method you're going to choose. happy cramming
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Go somewhere else like the library or a coffee shop and do work. I can't do work in my room or at home, except for late at night after (nearly) everyone has gone to sleep because there's too many distractions. I made it routine last semester to go over to my favorite coffee place and work on papers, assignments, etc. there rather than in my dorm room. Cosset yourself into the quietest room possible with no electronic devices, or at least something to prevent distractions if you need them. Turn off your phone, and just read, take notes, and do what you need to do (everyone has different techniques; some study with music, others in silence, and so on).
I also second rewriting notes. in red ink. And it sounds trivial, but flash cards helped me a lot when it came to memorizing definitions, which is something I definitely need to take advantage of as a biochem major. Also, if your uni provides it, attend SI (supplemental instruction) meetings. Between the review sheets we were handed and went over, and reviewing all of the material from lecture (in a condensed form), I aced my exams and did really well in a majority of my classes. Far more productive than studying or filling out a review sheet alone, because nobody is there to prevent you from distracting yourself or not doing the work. Same applies with studying in a group.
The other piece of advice is don't bring a computer if you don't need one. Too easy to get distracted by it.
I also second rewriting notes. in red ink. And it sounds trivial, but flash cards helped me a lot when it came to memorizing definitions, which is something I definitely need to take advantage of as a biochem major. Also, if your uni provides it, attend SI (supplemental instruction) meetings. Between the review sheets we were handed and went over, and reviewing all of the material from lecture (in a condensed form), I aced my exams and did really well in a majority of my classes. Far more productive than studying or filling out a review sheet alone, because nobody is there to prevent you from distracting yourself or not doing the work. Same applies with studying in a group.
The other piece of advice is don't bring a computer if you don't need one. Too easy to get distracted by it.
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This probably depends on what you're studying, but I found context was always important for me to remember things. If something I was trying to learn didn't have context, I'd make it up by looking for patterns and similarities.
IE: If there were unfamiliar terms/words I needed to memorize, I'd distort the way I pronounced the words in my head until they sounded like something recognizable/memorable. Or even break complicated terms into similar-sounding, smaller words/phrases. I've heard Eminem say in interviews that this is what he does to get any words to rhyme with each other.
IE: If there were unfamiliar terms/words I needed to memorize, I'd distort the way I pronounced the words in my head until they sounded like something recognizable/memorable. Or even break complicated terms into similar-sounding, smaller words/phrases. I've heard Eminem say in interviews that this is what he does to get any words to rhyme with each other.
My study techniques were pretty much procrastinate everything and then panic at the last moment. It worked in high school, but not anymore.
If I need to get work done, I have to shut myself in a classroom and force myself to do it. I can't get work done if I'm at home because there are too many distractions there. Working with my classmates helps sometimes, but I usually prefer to figure things out on my own.
I make lists of what I need to do and cross things off once I've done them. It helps keep me motivated to see the progress. I can't commit to schedules on my own, so lists help keep me on top of things.
Once I finish something or get to a good stopping point, I take a break (and usually end up wandering around campus in search of food or coffee).
I also like listening to music, when it's not distracting from what I'm doing. Sometimes it helps keep me focused on my own work if there are people talking around me.
I like to take notes about things I read, and it helps me remember the important information. Discussing that information with classmates really helps as well.
Of course, if it's a class I enjoy, studying becomes a MILLION times easier.
If I need to get work done, I have to shut myself in a classroom and force myself to do it. I can't get work done if I'm at home because there are too many distractions there. Working with my classmates helps sometimes, but I usually prefer to figure things out on my own.
I make lists of what I need to do and cross things off once I've done them. It helps keep me motivated to see the progress. I can't commit to schedules on my own, so lists help keep me on top of things.
Once I finish something or get to a good stopping point, I take a break (and usually end up wandering around campus in search of food or coffee).
I also like listening to music, when it's not distracting from what I'm doing. Sometimes it helps keep me focused on my own work if there are people talking around me.
I like to take notes about things I read, and it helps me remember the important information. Discussing that information with classmates really helps as well.
Of course, if it's a class I enjoy, studying becomes a MILLION times easier.
Get a good routine going of venturing out (cafes, libraries) and staying in (desk...) to study. Scenic variety helps me.
Only studying inside is tough for me because bed is so near and so tempting. I want to get in it 50% of the time.
If I feel tired I pack up a few things and go out.
Only studying inside is tough for me because bed is so near and so tempting. I want to get in it 50% of the time.
If I feel tired I pack up a few things and go out.
I think that because of Fi if we don't like something or care about it enough, it becomes much more difficult to just do. I like learning about things I am interested on my own, but I loathe studying. To motivate myself I write a big list of all the shit I have to do & the sense of impending doom keeps me going. For exams though, cramming as yet to let me down.
I believe the key to successful studying for an INFP is studying topics you are passionate about. I was an extremely average student in high School. (I didn’t get into a 4 year university initially. I went the junior college route first). I also struggled through the majority of my generals the first couple of years. Once I found what I loved and wanted to study (History and Psychology), studying on an undergraduate level was a breeze.
For me, ease or difficulty of studying is dependent on the type of work that is required. Again, if it is something that fascinates me, I remember and understand details, concepts, and patters without effort. I am fascinated by topics that relate to humanity. No matter how complex the subject matter is (economics, for example), if it relates to humanity I am on board and facts and details are absorbed almost effortlessly. Dry topics such as chemistry, physics, or accounting, it’s a struggle studying I never quite figured out.
Understanding your particular preference for acquiring information will be helpful. I tend to work in bursts of creative energy. These moments happen when I have been thinking about something over a period of days. I think about the implications, possibilities, and patterns of the topic at hand. Then, at some point, everything clicks and I produce a ton in a short amount of time. If this doesn’t happen, I can force it to some degree when the deadline was close. I typically wait until the last minute to complete something anyway. Not because I am lazy or consciously put it off, but because I am processing it on a global scale to make sense of it in comparison to all the other information/values already in my head. I think we tend to get down on ourselves for sitting down to study and not being able to focus on a single subject in an allotted time. You can’t think of it like that. I call it brainstorm studying. I would crack open a book/notes with the intention of “producing” only to get distracted with thoughts of other subjects as well. I learned that this was an essential part of crystallizing information for me. So school work was a process of 75% “brainstorm studying” and 25% intense production.
For me, ease or difficulty of studying is dependent on the type of work that is required. Again, if it is something that fascinates me, I remember and understand details, concepts, and patters without effort. I am fascinated by topics that relate to humanity. No matter how complex the subject matter is (economics, for example), if it relates to humanity I am on board and facts and details are absorbed almost effortlessly. Dry topics such as chemistry, physics, or accounting, it’s a struggle studying I never quite figured out.
Understanding your particular preference for acquiring information will be helpful. I tend to work in bursts of creative energy. These moments happen when I have been thinking about something over a period of days. I think about the implications, possibilities, and patterns of the topic at hand. Then, at some point, everything clicks and I produce a ton in a short amount of time. If this doesn’t happen, I can force it to some degree when the deadline was close. I typically wait until the last minute to complete something anyway. Not because I am lazy or consciously put it off, but because I am processing it on a global scale to make sense of it in comparison to all the other information/values already in my head. I think we tend to get down on ourselves for sitting down to study and not being able to focus on a single subject in an allotted time. You can’t think of it like that. I call it brainstorm studying. I would crack open a book/notes with the intention of “producing” only to get distracted with thoughts of other subjects as well. I learned that this was an essential part of crystallizing information for me. So school work was a process of 75% “brainstorm studying” and 25% intense production.
It helped me that I was ambitious to have good grades and to like what I was actually studying. I did not study every day far from it, but I usually would tend to do projects just on time. Tendency to work hard did help - to give one's best. Beat a personal standard. I learned the most via listening, rewriting, writing, and reading. A lot of people are visual learners; however, it did help me to make chunks of material presented in texts as well as to pull an essence from a text by making side notes. Also, if I had a lot of to study, but time in between exams was rather short, I would make lists and bullet points of the most important concepts in texts. Sometimes, studying was easy because if something highly interests you, you tend to crave new information. Sometimes, it was painful but still persistence paid off. Motivation is the key. Mine was expectations of more freedom and better life. Also, a variety is spice of life even when we are talking about studying. Switching from one subject to another is more interesting than studying one subject all day long.
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Exactly as @Kappa says. I never really studied much unless it was something I cared about. Then I never had any problem maintaining focus. I got by in some classes, failed a couple, and did fantastically well in others. In graduate school I had a 4.0 because I was passionately interested in climate and oceanography at that time. But my undergraduate GPA was an embarrassment at 2.6.
I really don't ascribe to the idea that grades in college matter very much. We learn much in those years that is perhaps inverse proportional to our GPA. But as someone who has had a career working in HR consulting I can say that hiring managers care a lot more about what you can do than where you went to school or what your GPA was. A lot of very capable and valued workers really blossom when they get into the work environment, both introverts and extraverts. Unless you want to be an executive, your skills and your ability to contribute to a team effort will matter a lot more than what your grades were or where you went to school.
I really don't ascribe to the idea that grades in college matter very much. We learn much in those years that is perhaps inverse proportional to our GPA. But as someone who has had a career working in HR consulting I can say that hiring managers care a lot more about what you can do than where you went to school or what your GPA was. A lot of very capable and valued workers really blossom when they get into the work environment, both introverts and extraverts. Unless you want to be an executive, your skills and your ability to contribute to a team effort will matter a lot more than what your grades were or where you went to school.
True, my transcripts 4.0 GPA in college and 3.73 in grad school I should use to make an absurd piece of art.
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Personally I consider "studying" to mean reviewing and memorizing facts and specific details. Things that are more theoretical or seem to connect to make a bigger picture come fairly easy, or if they don't, I'm generally really motivated to think a lot about them until they do.
So as far as memorizing details goes, the only thing that works for me is procrastinating until I really can't put it off anymore, and then I'm motivated by the thought of leaving a test half blank because I don't know shit. Also, if I like and respect the professor, that can motivate me to study because I don't want to disappoint them.
But I've always found being somewhere sort of nondescript like a library or dorm common room with *only* the materials you need for studying to be helpful. White noise can be nice too, I'm a fan of this stuff:
So as far as memorizing details goes, the only thing that works for me is procrastinating until I really can't put it off anymore, and then I'm motivated by the thought of leaving a test half blank because I don't know shit. Also, if I like and respect the professor, that can motivate me to study because I don't want to disappoint them.
But I've always found being somewhere sort of nondescript like a library or dorm common room with *only* the materials you need for studying to be helpful. White noise can be nice too, I'm a fan of this stuff:
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If the subject doesn't interest me that much I usually do everything at the last minute, it works the best for me and I actually get pretty good grades that way. I find the library the best place to study, I can concentrate so much better without all the distractions. If I'm studying at home I usually set an alarm on my phone and studystudystudy until the alarm goes off, usually for 1 or 2 hours. I have found that very helpful.
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