Study Methods

[Methodman85]

I was just wodering what some of everyone's study methods are.
When you read, do you usually take notes? Or do you just read the books multiple times until the information sticks. Or both? I found myself very bad at reading and taking notes, it took forever. I'm wondering if I'm better off just reading.

By the way I just realized that I used the Learnkey 70-270 Training videos to study for the 70-271. I'm an Idiot, thank goodness I still passed.
I wonder if that means I'm ready for the 70-270...

[Johnd76]

I find, reading a chapter then trying to remember the important points of the chapter..after I did that i carried onto the next chapter, i did that taking notes thing also! didnt do me any good at all!!!! i have been doing distance learning now for over a year and to be honest i wouldn't do it again, nothing beats the good old class & teacher!

[sunn]

Perfect world scenario for me includes:
First:
Self study with books (can include multiple) and equipment
- Read it once
- Read it again making highlights
- Make notes based on the highlights
- Read the notes
- Working on labs throughout this time

Second:
Take a course on the subject; but I don’t put much emphasis on the in-class labs other than making sure I can do them and assisting other classmates. I find helping others understand concepts helps me too

[MrNerdy]

I normally read up on the subject for a few months before taking a course at my local college.
Coupled with self study and course work should then enable me to take any exams needed.

[Sparky]

Read and take a few notes at the end of each chapter. Also lab work and take a few screenshots for the notes if needed. There are plenty of resources on the web as well such as technet.

Buy some decent test questions (e.g Transcender) and if scoring ok go for the real exam.

[Methodman85]

Wow, so it seems like self study is a lot less popular than I thought it would be.
Classes are soooooo expensive though, and with work it makes it so hard to take one.
That's why I like the training videos... It's like having a teacher, except you can pause, rewind, and take notes without missing anything.
I've only taken 1 exam so far though so I don't know if the videos will be enough in the future... Much cheaper than taking a course though.

Also, is it just me, or are the MS Press books extremely dry... like order a large coffee before you start reading dry.

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by Methodman85

Wow, so it seems like self study is a lot less popular than I thought it would be.

On the contrary, most of us here advocate self-study methods. Not sure why the masses haven't come out and gave their viewpoint, other than the fact that the self-study vs. training centre topic has been beat to death.

Originally Posted by Methodman85

Classes are soooooo expensive though, and with work it makes it so hard to take one.

Agreed, absolutely.

Originally Posted by Methodman85

That's why I like the training videos... It's like having a teacher, except you can pause, rewind, and take notes without missing anything.

Here's where we disagree. Training videos (and for that matter, live training courses) go far too slow for me. I can't skim a training video; I can skim a book.

Originally Posted by Methodman85

Also, is it just me, or are the MS Press books extremely dry... like order a large coffee before you start reading dry.

Yep, that's their biggest knock. Sybex books are good compliments to them; thus, I typically recommend MS Press and Sybex for MS exams.

[sunn]

Originally Posted by Methodman85

Wow, so it seems like self study is a lot less popular than I thought it would be.

I said "perfect world".
The point of my earlier post was I like a mix of learning methods. I will always do the self-study first. Self-study means I learn at my pace, put emphasis on what I think is important, and work off my schedule. If schedule and money (specifically my company's willing to pay ) work out I will add an instructor led course to add another source and learning method.

I get the most out of self-study, and it's the only thing that's been available to me for most of my work life.

[Chriseast1]

I use the MS press books for self study and have a virtual machine or two set up to pratice on. I would recomend running VM's as it allows you to get the hands on the just reading the books will just never give.

[Chopperchand]

I use MS press books and also have a copy of Virtual PC with the OS installed so that I can practice. I find I learn more if I read something and then put it into practice. As this shows how it works and you are more likely to remember it if you are ever required to do it in the work place.

[Methodman85]

So do you always take notes when you read, or do you just read, do, and let it stick?

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by Methodman85

So do you always take notes when you read, or do you just read, do, and let it stick?

I don't take notes, but many people do. Writing something down helps you retain it in your memory better than simply reading it.

[sunn]

As mentioned earlier...
I take notes; and I'll read out loud when I don't look out of place

Reading out loud uses more senses, and thus your brain gets it 3 ways:
- Seeing it (reading)
- Saying it (out loud)
- Hearing it

Highlighting and making notes, uses other parts of the brain. In whole the idea is to make you think about the concept to help memorize facts & figures.

[BosonMichael]

Originally Posted by sunn

As mentioned earlier...
I take notes; and I'll read out loud when I don't look out of place

Reading out loud uses more senses, and thus your brain gets it 3 ways:
- Seeing it (reading)
- Saying it (out loud)
- Hearing it

Highlighting and making notes, uses other parts of the brain. In whole the idea is to make you think about the concept to help memorize facts & figures.

Only thing better than saying it and writing it is DOING it.

[greenbrucelee]

I have found that practicing and doing something a lot sticks more than reading and taking notes (but I do that too as not everything is possible to do in a practicle sense).