My journey to a strong GPA was not a linear path but a winding road paved with trial and error. As a future Information Technology Professional, I craved the efficiency and optimization, principles that permeate the world of STEM. This drive led me to experiment with various strategies to boost my academic performance, some more successful than others. Today, I share these experiences, hoping they become valuable “study hacks” for fellow STEM aspirants.
Initially, I fell prey to the classic “burn the midnight oil” approach. I would spend countless nights cramming information, only to find my mind foggy and my retention low. This strategy not only hurt my grades but also affected my well-being. Realizing this was not sustainable, I embraced the power of spaced repetition. Apps like Anki allowed me to schedule reviews of key concepts, solidifying them in my long-term memory. It felt like training my brain for optimal performance, just like optimizing a computer program!
While memorization helped to a certain extent, I soon realized the importance of truly understanding the concepts. This deeper grasp of the material proved invaluable in applying my knowledge to complex problems encountered in high school courses. This led me to explore collaborative learning. Forming study groups with like-minded classmates proved invaluable. We would tackle complex problems together, explaining solutions to each other. Also joining online forums like Physics Stack Exchange and Stack Overflow became my battleground. I would post problems I could not solve, and a community of students and experts would offer solutions and explanations. This not only deepened understanding but also fostered a sense of community, making the learning process more engaging.
Technology also played a crucial role in actively managing my workload. I discovered the magic of project management apps. These tools allowed me to break down large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Setting deadlines and tracking progress helped keep me organized, preventing last-minute chaos. It was like streamlining a workflow, similar to optimizing complex network systems. Talking about apps, I have used CodeHs to learn many coding languages and Khan Academy to study variety of subjects.
Identifying weak spots became another crucial strategy. Regularly analyzing my performance through quizzes, practice tests, and class participation helped me identify areas that needed improvement. Instead of ignoring them, I addressed them directly. Prioritizing wellness was essential. I learned to prioritize sleep, exercise, and some downtime for hobbies. This mental and physical refreshment helped me concentrate better during study sessions. Sacrificing sleep for last minute cramming sessions was an obvious mistake, just like pushing a computer beyond its processing capacity.
There were strategies that did not quite work for me. Multitasking, for instance, proved disastrous. Even though it seemed appealing, I eventually lost attention when I tried to concentrate while listening to music. Passive reading proved to be another mistake I made. This was simply skimming the content without putting much consideration to it. I would just take in the information without actively reviewing the main ideas, challenging the book, or engaging in conversation about it with others. This method produced low retention since the information was difficult to memorize. I was only able to get a deeper grasp and increase my memory retention by engaging with the material, wrestling with ideas, and asking questions.
Looking back, my academic journey resembles an iterative development process. I experimented, evaluated, and adjusted my strategies. By embracing the power of technology, collaboration, spaced repetition, and prioritizing well-being, I was able to achieve academic success. These “study hacks” will undoubtedly benefit me well as I continue my academic journey and beyond.