Help In Studies: Overcome Shortcomings in Academics for Engineering Students

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by an engineering student in India regarding study habits, particularly in memorization and retention of complex subjects such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Participants explore various strategies to improve academic performance and address issues of interest and motivation in their studies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in retaining knowledge of previously studied topics, particularly after moving on to new material.
  • Another participant argues that memorization is a poor study habit and emphasizes the importance of understanding concepts rather than rote learning.
  • Concerns are raised about the effectiveness of current study patterns, with a lack of a structured schedule noted by the original poster.
  • Specific challenges in mathematics include fear of large calculations and losing grip on previous topics after transitioning to new ones.
  • In physics, a participant mentions struggles with topics lacking personal interest and the challenge of understanding derivations.
  • In chemistry, the difficulty lies in memorizing reactions and retaining them over time.
  • Some participants suggest that a lack of passion for certain subjects may contribute to the difficulties faced, while others argue that understanding is crucial for memory retention.
  • One participant shares their experience of needing extensive practice to feel confident in deriving results in physics.
  • Another participant introduces the idea that forgetting old material is normal and suggests using mnemonic devices to aid memory.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express differing views on the best approaches to studying, with some advocating for understanding over memorization, while others highlight the role of practice and memory techniques. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective study strategies for the original poster's specific challenges.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that cultural differences may influence study habits, with some emphasizing memorization while others encourage creative thinking. The discussion also highlights the psychological aspects of learning and memory retention.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for engineering students facing similar challenges in their studies, particularly those struggling with retention of complex material and motivation in less interesting subjects.

schumi1991`
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Help in studies...

I am pursuing engineering from India.I have always had problem in memorizing things.But it not only ends there.When I have finished one topic such as say Fourier series in mathematics and moved on to some other topic I realize that I have lost my hold on th previous topic altogether,irrespective of the fact that how much practise I have done.This thing has led to a little slump in my grades and self confidence and esteem over the years.
I would lik to ask that what are the changes that I need to make in my studying pattern that help me overcome this short coming in my Academics.
 
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Since you don't elaborate on your studying patterns other than "memorizing" and "practicing", I don't see how anyone can suggest something further than not doing those things.
 


Memorizing a subject is a bad habit and it should never be practiced. You should always try to understand the subject you are studying.
Remember the words of Confucius "Learning without thought is labor lost.''
You can start with simple examples. Solve them on your own and figure out what exactly is happening. You can forget something so easily only because you have not understood it. So make the habit of asking questions on whatever you study and draw logical conclusions. By this way, you will never forget anything you have learned.
 


fss said:
Since you don't elaborate on your studying patterns other than "memorizing" and "practicing", I don't see how anyone can suggest something further than not doing those things.

okay...
as regards to the studying habits,I don't follow a particular schedule or time line... just make sure that there is not large backlog of things... memorizing part I usually do in chemistry as it is required to remember large no of reactions and equations...
I'll give a list of the subjects below that i find the most difficult to cope and what problems I face while studying them...
Math:
The main problem is of calculations and tedious work... I have been an ardent math fan but since I came to Grad school it hasn't been one of my strengths...I generally solve a few examples and then do some exercises related to that topic... but when I leave one topic and move on to the other I find that I slowly loose my grip on the previous one... Large calculations scare me a lot as I find that no matter how much I try some small little mistakes do tend to creep in...And yes I have to admit that I always practice lot less than required...
Physics:
Physics has been somewhat my strong point in high school.. But I find it difficult when I have to deal with topics in which I have no interest in..and since the syllabus is not that flexible here in India hence there is no other option but to go through it...Derivations of result is also one thing that haunts me to the core... I go through them again and again when I'm doing them but still feel no less confident...
Chemistry:
The only thing that I can do in chemistry is go through the syllabus and try to make head and tail of things that I can find... the problems are reactions and way to have them retained for a longer period of time in my mind...

The underlying difficulty is how to make things interesting even if I don't find them so and keep practicing without loosing interest or getting bored...
Thanks for your replies... I really appreciate that...
 


Many Asian cultures emphasize memorization in education. In the West, we encourage creative thinking. http://reviews.collegetimes.us/"

In short, I'm trying to say that you shouldn't pursue a field that you are not interested in or not performing well in. Just going after money or w/e is not a good way to succeed in science. If you don't understand a field, or have a passion for the field, that might be part of the problem here.
 
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carag said:
Many Asian cultures emphasize memorization in education. In the West, we encourage creative thinking. http://reviews.collegetimes.us/"

In short, I'm trying to say that you shouldn't pursue a field that you are not interested in or not performing well in. Just going after money or w/e is not a good way to succeed in science. If you don't understand a field, or have a passion for the field, that might be part of the problem here.

The passion is not a problem... the problem is that in my academic things there are certain things that I have immense liking for like Programming and mechanics whereas there are some in which I find no interest what so ever.. :(
thanx
 
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schumi1991` said:
Derivations of result is also one thing that haunts me to the core... I go through them again and again when I'm doing them but still feel no less confident...

This is quite bad, and likely the reason why you think you have so much trouble "remembering" things. You really need to understand what is going on behind the derivations, and why each step is being performed. If you really understand the derivations, any results should be natural for you to remember because you remember how, at least in general, you got there.
 


And what about chemical reactions...?
They are quite intimidating too... :(
 


It is normal to forget old things when they are not used and it is also a fact of psychology that learning new things interferes with our memory of old things. Understanding is a noble pursuit, but unlike some of your other advisors, I don't think that understanding is the key to memory. We tend to remember things like songs, rhymes and jokes better than sophisticated ideas. When you study a subject make up such things to remind you of the very important points in the material. Don't try to do this for every page in the book. Don't get discouraged if you have to review to get a complete grasp of old material. Notice how medical doctors remember things. They must remember thousands of isolated facts. For symptoms of a disease they often have a saying or phrase and each letter of it will stand for a certain symptom.

I think memory is improved by practice. There are books written on how to improve you memory. Get interested in the topic if you want to pursue it. Read such books.
 
  • #10


schumi1991` said:
Physics has been somewhat my strong point in high school.. But I find it difficult when I have to deal with topics in which I have no interest in..and since the syllabus is not that flexible here in India hence there is no other option but to go through it...Derivations of result is also one thing that haunts me to the core... I go through them again and again when I'm doing them but still feel no less confident...
.

I had this exact problem all through physics I and II. I even almost changed my major to engineering because of it.

I could go through the derivations and understand them completely. Even derive them after I saw how. It's just practice and more practice. At least with me. It took until my jr year (now) until I could feel okay deriving things. I'm still not the best at it, but getting better.

That was the key to understanding topics without memorizing for me. Go through the derivations a few times.
 
  • #11


The one thing that remains unanswered is how to cope with those in which I can't find much interest and do nothing about skipping it too.. :(
thanx everyone for your replies... :)
 

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