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How I Excelled Studying Three Masters Degrees

Weekly Topic: Your Recommended Study Method

Sarah Nam

Studying anything can be challenging. For me, studying Law,  learning French and Korean languages were huge decisions. 

I don't know what you want to learn, but I think there are a few steps to keep in mind before you begin your study journey. These are methods that I had adopted in all my one Bachelor's degree and three Master's programs in Cameroon and abroad.


Method 1: Consistency and repetition

I find understanding any content I read more than once to be easier. Because of this, I invest a lot of time in rereading my notes after the lesson. So typically, during lessons, I try to write as much as possible.

When I return home, I spend time studying the notes in comparison with the textbook or the teacher's handout. Most times, I will still make extra summaries as jottings on a different piece of paper. It enables me to dissect every section into the simplest form.

Method 2: Engage in discussions

Maybe because I am a tutor and have the personality of enjoying to communicate, but I think discussing anything I have studied makes me understand faster.

Most times when my friends are available or during a one-on-one lesson, I try to ask more questions and make efforts to explain what I understood. I do not hesitate to give my opinions and ask for clarity.

I find it is easier for me to remember when I speak about something more than once. Sometimes, my friends and I during our college days used to make jokes about our law school cases when we chatted casually. We used the names of the cases and connected them to real-life situations that might be similar or the same. It was always easier to respond to examination questions sometimes when I recalled the joking comments my friends made.

Method 3: Watching videos or listening to audios

I strongly believe in audio-visual studies. I find it extremely easy to understand when I watch something on a video. Though listening to audios is a thing I do from time to time, I think it helps more to improve on language studies. However, if you can keep your concentration, these tools will be very helpful to excel.

Call me old school, I will accept: I jot down when I am watching a video. This helps me to connect with the speaker. 

In conclusion, whether it is repeatedly reading the material, discussing with my teacher and friends again about the subject, or watching a video/audio, I think everyone has a different capacity to learn. 

I had friends who needed to listen only once and they retained what the teacher said. So I suggest finding what suits you best and do it every time. Happy Studies 

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This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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