Robert Bateman
Sep 6, 2018 · 1 min read

Thanks Vojtech — I was hoping someone would bring this up. I basically agree with you here. However, I have two responses:

  1. The amount of content presented in a typical degree program makes it impossible to learn it all comprehensively. A better strategy is to focus down on a set of important topics and get to know them well. This also happens to be the best approach for exams.
  2. Succeeding at exams by learning slowly and methodically across the whole academic year — rather than cramming at the last minute — makes it far more likely that you’ll integrate the knowledge and skills into your long-term memory. I’m fairly confident that, even several months after my exams, I could still do well if asked to take them again today. My experience using other, more short-term, study methods, is that I would forget everything I’d learned the moment I walked out of the exam room!

I realize I’m coming from a somewhat pragmatic angle with this story, but this is ultimately the best way I’ve found to learn. Passing exams may not be the ultimate goal, but exam success and thorough subject knowledge go hand-in-hand.

    Robert Bateman

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    Practical, evidence-based personal development advice.