Do top students study smart or study hard?

Is it brawn power or brain power? There are many tips on how to study better. In this feature, students from MIT and other leading universities give their secret to surviving university. It appears that good students study smart, not hard but GREAT students usually do both.

1. Always start with the easiest looking question

Says David Koh of MIT class 2011. According to him problem solving helps him realise how well he understands the material. He suggests to read the whole thing, and then start on the easiest looking question.

"Work on it until you've either solved it, or you're stuck and not sure what to do next. Then move to the next easiest question, and so on, until you've tried them all." He says that the questions you can solve and can't do are good indicators of how well you understand a certain topic.

"Finally, once you've given all the problems a good, honest try, go and find help."

2. Decide which classes you'll need to do some advance reading

"For some classes, I read the book before going to lecture," says Jessica Su of Caltech.

"Try and have a schedule for reading the book so you don't slack off. Also, you won't have time to read the books for all your classes, so choose wisely."

3.  Write your notes in a way where you can test your retention and understanding

"Many students write notes that do a great job summarizing their materials," says Hooman Katirai of MIT. However, most notes are not designed to promote learning, retention or analysis of their weakness.

He suggests students should try writing down questions and responses, separately in flash cards. The question stimulates a student to think of a possible response making information retention easier.

4. Start absorbing information in bite sizes

"Learn topics in small chunks, says Ben Leong of MIT. He suggests that students should be diligent in laying the basic foundations to be able to build information easily. Moreover, he suggests that students should not count on last minute cramming right before exams to do well.

Cramming can only work on basic material but less likely with more advanced material. So build on your fund of knowledge one bite at a time.

5. Embrace your weak points

There should never be a separation in your study. You shouldn't favor a topic, and neglect another. Even if you do have favorites, you must see to it that you don't fail on your less favorite subjects.

One student suggests, "If there are any dark areas in any subject that you cringe from, you should do everything to get over it. Face the fear, you will no longer fear it. Run from it, your fear will only double."

"Do all that you can to get a grip over the subject. If it needs continuous pestering of your teachers, or seeking help from your friends or self-tutoring, do it."

6. Be kind to yourself

Rob McQueen of MIT says that it is easier to understand new information when you're thinking clearly. He suggests taking a power nap for at least 20 minutes when things start to become senseless. "It may be just enough to get the light bulb in your head to flicker."