How do YOU study?

[MoleMocha]

I'm just interested in other grad students' study habits.

I am feeling very frustrated, because I feel like I just don't know enough. When my professors, or even other grad students talk, it seems like they are always thinking of something that I never thought of. They come up with these brilliant ideas and interpretations, and it makes me think "why couldn't I think of that?"

This was exacerbated recently when my student cohort reviewed a manuscript for me before submission. The reviews were pretty positive, but one girl just completely ripped apart my grammar - mostly places where I used "which" instead of "that." I was trying to take the criticism well, but that really killed me because I felt like my grasp on grammar and spelling was excellent. Most of my cohort is from the East Coast, and I have a bit of a "Midwesterner" complex because I know I can speak in that Midwest slang sometimes. I always pray that it doesn't come through in my writing.

I guess I'm just not feeling good enough lately. I feel like I need MORE knowledge, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day.

So I'm wondering - how do you structure your study time? Do you make time to read every day? Do you force yourself to read a certain number of articles each day? Does your studying suffer when you have other work to do? What tips can you give me for becoming an expert in my field?

Thanks!!

[Dal PhDer]

I am in my third year, and every day I struggle with feeling like I don't know enough or am not smart enough. I was reading a blog the other day by a TT professor- she said that no matter what, when she starts a project she always feels stupid and like she can't complete it because she isn't smart enough...then she gets over a hump and feels fine. So I think this is a feeling we all have and constantly have to deal with. One day you will be talking about something and realize, "wow! I know my stuff! and I am smart!" ...it's hard to accept it, and really overwhelming (i am thinking about when I first started and I cried when i returned home after my first day), but everyone feels like it, and I bet when you speak and contribute to the discussions- other people say to themselves "I wish I was as smart as that student!"

As for the peer review...I have several comments on this. Firstly, I think a lot of students do not know how to give constructive feedback (even professors). I find that some students can take the opportunity to review someone's work as a way for them to bully them down and make themselves feel better. With that said, you also have to realize (and it took me awhile), that feedback is a lot of personal choice and writing style. What one person likes, another person might not. I also preface my editing with - this is just my style of writing, it doesn't mean that it's right or wrong! It's hard to do, but try to ignore on some level the negative feedback, and focus on the positive. This doesn't mean not to consider what other people are saying and their critique because it can be useful...but try not to dwell on it, and look at the good things that have been said about it.

I have found a labmate who isn't in my degree or field. We always exchange pieces of writing with each other before we hand them in. I know (as does she) that she will give my writing a really critical eye and tell me straight up how it is- and I do the same for her. My suggestion is that if you are worried about your writing, try and find someone that you can exchange it with- and if you can't, take it to the writing center! They're really great at my school and a resource a lot of students forget to use!

I am not in my courses anymore, but how I structured my day was to read all the course material (or skim) so I had the best understanding of the theory/methods/etc. for class. I would also make notes and review them ahead of time- the notes were mostly margin notes, or particular points that I wanted to potentially bring up during discussion. I made sure I made time to read what was given to me, and on occasion some of the recommended reading (this was when I felt I wasn't too sure what was going on with that particular weekly topic). It's hard to read all the material or find time to do it, so pick and choose what you want to skim through, and what you might want to spend time taking a second look over!

As for being an expert in your field- heck! I am still trying to figure that out myself

[euthuphron]

I am feeling very frustrated, because I feel like I just don't know enough. When my professors, or even other grad students talk, it seems like they are always thinking of something that I never thought of. They come up with these brilliant ideas and interpretations, and it makes me think "why couldn't I think of that?"

This was exacerbated recently when my student cohort reviewed a manuscript for me before submission. The reviews were pretty positive, but one girl just completely ripped apart my grammar - mostly places where I used "which" instead of "that." I was trying to take the criticism well, but that really killed me because I felt like my grasp on grammar and spelling was excellent. Most of my cohort is from the East Coast, and I have a bit of a "Midwesterner" complex because I know I can speak in that Midwest slang sometimes. I always pray that it doesn't come through in my writing.

That feeling of inadequacy, even if only temporary, is normal. I think everyone experiences this, even those students who came up those "brilliant" ideas and interpretations (and who knows, they probably weren't the ones to come up with it first). It can seem like an insurmountable task to bring yourself up to speed. But let's be honest, I think that only comes after years of research. I find keeping a separate reading list of books and articles that are of interest to me really helps, even if they happen to be outside my areas of research.

And the thing about grammar and spelling. Who cares? Yes, obviously things like that need to be correct, but that's not what study at the graduate level is all about. Just be more careful and develop good writing habits. I'm sure your university has some sort of academic writing center that can help you.

I guess I'm just not feeling good enough lately. I feel like I need MORE knowledge, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day.

Ain't it the truth?

So I'm wondering - how do you structure your study time? Do you make time to read every day? Do you force yourself to read a certain number of articles each day? Does your studying suffer when you have other work to do? What tips can you give me for becoming an expert in my field?

I think too much organization is a bad thing. You obviously have more responsibilities than in undergrad, which requires better time management, but to plan which particular piece of work to do during which particular block of time for everything seems a bit excessive to me. Some people work better like that, but I don't.

I find it helpful to keep a weekly schedule with regular events (courses, GAs, office hours, time allotted for specified reading or study (e.g. second language)) and events particular to that week (meetings, talks/defenses to attend, etc.). Since I'm in the office fairly regularly (treat it like a job, 9-5 kinda thing), the rest of the time is spent doing work. The priority of the work is determined by writing down a list of things I have to do for the next two weeks or so (or even longer, if it's long-term) in no particular order, then assigning priorities (1,2,3, etc.). Then, just do it and get it done. No scheduling for hours only to find your paper is due tomorrow. Then, just lather, rinse, and repeat.

The rationale behind this method is that it abrogates the problems that arise when micromanaging everything. Instead of worrying about the optimal structure of how to get work done, you actually do the work and get it over with. Further, you don't feel obligated to do work in any particular way or at a particular time, which lifts that sense of burden and the procrastination that accompanies it.

To be an expert in your field takes years. It's not going to happen overnight. Just hang in there. Work hard and manage your time well, but don't forget to smell the roses.

Cheers.

[MoleMocha]

Wow, thank you both so much for the replies! It really helps to know I'm not the only one feeling this way.

[Usmivka]

I too feel underachieving almost every day. The key thing, I think, is to realize that even if folks are coming up with questions on the spot that didn't catch you first, there will be times you do this and others look at you with a little envy. Just hold onto those moments and remember them! I agree that too much structure can actually stifle you, keep you from grabbing a good idea and rolling with it when the mood strikes. I'm in a natural science program and basically live in my lab, so I'll refrain from offering study advice, I'm sure it would be totally wrong for you!

[victor.s.andrei]

I am feeling very frustrated, because I feel like I just don't know enough. When my professors, or even other grad students talk, it seems like they are always thinking of something that I never thought of. They come up with these brilliant ideas and interpretations, and it makes me think "why couldn't I think of that?"

Ever heard of impostor syndrome?

Most of my cohort is from the East Coast, and I have a bit of a "Midwesterner" complex because I know I can speak in that Midwest slang sometimes. I always pray that it doesn't come through in my writing.

Where in the Midwest? I'm an East Coaster, and I generally like folks I meet out in the Midwest more than the ones here on the East Coast. The culture is just so much more chill out there than here, and I'm sure that comes through in how people communicate and act - including how they grade other people's papers.

[victor.s.andrei]

The key thing, I think, is to realize that even if folks are coming up with questions on the spot that didn't catch you first, there will be times you do this and others look at you with a little envy. Just hold onto those moments and remember them!

I wanted to +1 you for this but apparently I reached my quota of positive votes for the day. Grrr!

[toasterazzi]

I don't make myself do anything every day unless I have a big deadline coming up. For example, I have a big paper due on Thursday, so I'm spending a significant amount of time each day on completing it. I have 3 classes and they only meet once per week, so I generally do the readings a day or so ahead and take notes on what I read. My notes might be about things I thought were important or interesting or things I have questions about. My program doesn't really have tests, so I don't spend time studying for that sort of thing, but I do make sure I've read the material well enough to be able to participate in class discussions.

[booksnlooks]

I'm the opposite of a lot of people here - I like to study for certain things on certain days. I create a very structured routine for myself because without it, I procrastinate and feel a little lost.

Most of my courses are really mathy, so I do a lot of problem sets, but for my paper-based courses I have a reading template which is basically a fill-in-the-blank Word doc. I put in the abstract, notes while I'm reading, what I like/agree with, what I dislike/disagree with, ideas that occur to me, and ways to extend the paper. Keeping this template helps me better relate all the material I'm going over and create connections. It also forces me to actively think instead of passively read.

As much as I like structure, however, I don't set a certain target of reading each day. I write up a to do list, tackle it to the best of my ability, and call it quits at 9pm no matter what. I only have so much time and I want to enjoy life during grad school. It's hard to do but don't beat yourself up!

[TakeruK]

For most of my courses, studying consists of doing the homework. In the sciences, I would say that the homework/assignments are generally more difficult than the exams will be since you have a lot more time and resources than a timed, closed-book exam. So, I use the assignment to judge my ability/grasp on the material.

Some people like to learn/study all the important points to make sure they have a good foundation and then go and tackle the homework. For me, I prefer to just jump right into doing the assignments and looking things up as I get stuck. Then, I just learn whatever I was missing in order to complete the homework. There is a problem with this method though -- most grad courses are more intense than undergrad courses, so the assignments cannot cover everything that you would be expected to know. So I supplement my studying through assignments by going through each chapter / section of the course and make summary sheets of important things I should know from that part of the course. I try to do this once a week, after doing my assignments (so that I know what parts I need more work in) but this can slip to once every 2 or 3 weeks if I get busy. I like having the summary sheets because if I have to study for a midterm or final exam down the road, I can just study these summary sheets instead of reading the textbook again. Also, these sheets are helpful after the course is over if I need a reminder about how something works!

[Solidarity]

MoleMocha -

I just wanted to say how happy I am you posted this. I am in my first year, first semester of my graduate program and I too have this feeling consistently. I've actually heard it called the "impostor" syndrome, whereas you are always thinking "how the hell did i get in here."

Anyway, keep up the good work and don't let anyone keep you down. I view graduate school like golf - it's me versus myself - my own abilities, my own intelligence, and most importantly, my own drive to keep on the path.

Good luck.

[romnickhudges]

Well, the key there is to concentrate more of your study and be motivated at it. If ever you don't excel to a particular suject for that matter it only means you are not interesting at all. It only means you are not giving still your best in it and you lack focus and motivation. The easiest way to study is be focus and inspired all the time. Put away those doubts and hindrances, instead, put it your effort and enjoy it as if you are enjoying your favorite dish.

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