Studying smarter, not harder, is one key result of a successful independent learning strategy. However, getting there is not always an intuitive process, but one that is built by adopting efficient study habits and learning practices.
Here we'll share how to transform your study effectiveness and go from overwhelmed to organized with Glean.
Let's start by illustrating this with Sarah's journey into college, which may sound familiar...
Sarah's first semester of college was overwhelming. As she rushed into her Molecular Biology lecture, she fumbled with her notebook and pens, nearly dropping everything while trying to find a seat.
Professor Garcia began speaking immediately, and Sarah struggled to keep up. She scribbled notes frantically, her handwriting becoming increasingly illegible as she tried to capture every word.
When Dr. Garcia displayed a complex protein structure, Sarah attempted to sketch it, but her drawing was a mess of squiggly lines.
After class, Sarah stared at her notes, feeling lost. She couldn't decipher half of what she'd written, and there were gaps where she'd fallen behind. The protein structure sketch made little sense now.
That evening, Sarah tried to review the lecture, but her notes were incomplete, and she couldn't recall much of what Dr. Garcia said.
She flipped through her textbook, trying to find information to fill in the blanks, but it was time consuming and frustrating.
As midterms approached, Sarah realized she didn't know how to study the material effectively. She reread her notes and the textbook repeatedly but couldn't be sure she was focusing on getting the right details.
Sarah stayed up late the night before the exam, anxiously trying to memorize everything. She felt overwhelmed by the volume of information and unsure what would be on the test.
Walking into the exam room the next day. As she looked at the first question, her confidence dropped.
Sarah felt unprepared and a little anxious. She realized she had worked hard, but it didn’t feel like it had been enough.
There has to be a better way!
Every year, thousands of students face challenges similar to Sarah's: struggling to keep up in lectures, deciphering messy notes, and cramming for exams left her feeling overwhelmed and unprepared.
But that doesn’t have to be you.
Here’s how Glean can help you transform your story, tackling the most difficult challenges of effective studying in higher education setting you up for success:
1. Efficient note taking
Sarah's problem: Frantically scribbling illegible notes, missing key points, and poorly sketched diagrams.
The solution: Use Glean to record your lectures. Here's how you can make the most of capturing class content:
- Before class, open Glean on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- Create an event and start recording as soon as the lecture begins.
- During class, focus on listening and understanding. Make brief notes or labels for important points.
- For visual information like diagrams, use the app to snap a clear photo instead of sketching.
2. Organized review
Sarah's problem: Struggling to make sense of incomplete notes and recall lecture content.
The solution: Generate a transcript and outline for easy review. Here's how:
- After class, open the event recording in Glean.
- Create a transcript from the audio.
- Create an Outline from the transcript for an overview of the lecture structure.
- Use these tools to locate specific topics or sections you want to revisit quickly.
3. Filling in the gaps
Sarah's problem: Missing information and inability to recall spoken content.
The solution: Use playback features to revisit and enhance your notes. Try this:
- Return to your labeled sections and initial notes.
- Replay these sections using the playback speed controls to go faster if it’s a topic you're comfortable with or to slow down if it’s a tricky part.
- As you listen, take more detailed notes. You can include definitions, images, or detailed sketches to illustrate and enrich your notes.
4. Effective studying
Sarah's problem: Unsure how to study effectively, resorting to rereading and memorization.
The solution: Use Quiz Me for active recall to help you boost long-term retention, improve understanding, and identify knowledge gaps! Here's how:
- After reviewing your notes, use the Quiz Me function.
- The app generates multiple-choice questions based on the lecture content.
- Answer these questions to test your understanding.
- Pay attention to areas where you struggle – these are topics you should review further.
5. Focused review sessions
Sarah's problem: Struggling to concentrate during long study sessions.
The solution: Use Glean’s focus timer for structured study periods. Try this:
- Before starting a review session, set a focus timer in the app (e.g., 30-45 minutes).
- Study without distractions until the timer ends.
- Take a short break, then repeat if needed.
- After your session, check your study stats to track your progress over time.
The results
By implementing these strategies with Glean, you can benefit from significant improvements like:
- More organized and comprehensive notes.
- Easily reviewing and reinforcing lecture content.
- More focused and effective study sessions.
- Increased confidence and preparation for exams.
Remember, developing good study skills takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself as you implement these strategies.
With consistency and the support of Glean, you can transform your academic experience from overwhelming to empowering.
