1. They don't always do all the homework
In college, homework is typically the smallest source of grades for students, ranging from 5-20%, but it takes up the majority of students' time. Yes, working with problems is one of the best ways to reimagine new concepts of gaining knowledge, but most of the big problems you've ever gone through never show up on your exam sheet.
2. They never "read" textbooks
Their time management is reading books is their effective method to learn new materials, while they spend more time on sample questions, practice questions, and case studies. Sometimes Google, lecture notes, and old notes, they use to support learning materials.
3. Google is everything
Their new concept is to go to Google to find a brief explanation. Sometimes they think that the explanation in class is very limited, not enough to rely on lecturers, modules, or examples on the board. They don't need to worry because they have a free search engine, so they make the most of it.
4. They often test their own abilities
Self-testing strengthens their brain connections to the new material, so they know whether they “get it or not.” The bottom line is that testing yourself more often can significantly increase long-term retention of new material.
5. They study in a short time, not a marathon or SKS (overnight cramming system) model.
Studying in short bursts tends to help you focus. This fits in nicely with the Ultradian Rhythm study, which states that our body’s natural activity cycle or rest makes studying continuously for hours on end counterproductive.
6. They inherit Engineering skills
Yes, they inherited engineering skills, which is solving new problems that have no resemblance to previous experiences. Students generally solve problems in a series of steps, like solving calculus problems. Like understanding derivatives so they take derivatives of complex functions, knowing when to use the Raitai rule vs. the product rule, etc. The problem is that by simply following the steps provided by the professor, or the book description, they only achieve surface level knowledge of the problem. Top Students, on the other hand, take a problem and solve it, then work backwards, starting from a solution and working their way to a series of "why?" questions.
- Why can get this value?
- Why did they simplify this expression?
- Why do they use this type of derived rules?
By following this process, you begin to understand the interconnections of concepts, and understand why they are applied to a problem. This is the concept of "working knowledge" or the key to solving problems or exams, especially on problems you have never encountered before.
7. They don't have a highlighter
Highlighting anything (marking something that is considered important). Or it would be better if you summarize it with your own notes and your own style of language. The routine of a top performer is seen in any field, marked by their intensive working hours (4-6 hours per day), significantly followed by the number of quality hours (9 hours per night)
8. They try to do their best in college
The best students approach boredom in class this way: I'm going to be there, no matter what, the most important thing is to make the most of my time, which means asking lots of fundamental questions, bringing notes, and focusing on important problems and exercises, anticipating what questions the professor will ask, mapping out the most potential topics for exams. All of these things make your time more productive and interesting.
9. They learn a lot
Because studying a lot is the most powerful method for building a framework in the brain, so that when faced with cases, exams, or homework, they don't need to spend a lot of time solving them.
10. They quickly learn from their exam mistakes
In general, when students get bad grades, they just go back and forth to find the professor's mistakes and argue, in the end they never see each other again until the time comes, namely the Final Semester. On the other hand, Top Students ignore what is rightfully theirs, and use their mistakes as an indicator of what needs to be fixed.
11. They make their own study guides
Top students not only use study guides from their teachers, but also create study guides for themselves.
12. They use the 80/20 rule
Top Students identify the 20% of concepts they need to study in depth, to determine 80% of their final grade.
13. They don't complain
Complaining is a waste of time and energy. If something sucks, they just make it more interesting or ignore it.
14. Mereka "learn by doing"
Technical subjects can be internalized through practice. Just like learning a new language, from being unable to become fluent because it is repeatedly implemented in habits. Algebra and calculus become their daily food, so they know when and how their knowledge should be applied.
15. They take personal responsibility for learning.
Top students understand that they learn on their own, so they don't have to wait to be spoon-fed by their professors, for them just doing their homework is not enough. They are always committed to being able to succeed academically.