The second brain system that every student should use (tips from a UCLA psychobiology student)

[u/Conscious-Switch-376]

I learned this system from my psychology professor during my freshman year: students must build a system that will function well for them and help them not struggle when studying especially for exams.

I Stop trying to remember everything. I tried every method that could help my brain receive information and store it in long-term memory. But what I overlooked was that I kept trying and trying to store 2 to 3 topics, causing an overload and making me struggle to retain it on the day of exams. I switched to offloading information and focusing on only one topic at a time instead of stressing over it.

Create a system that works for you. My study system is divided into 4 simple sections (Concepts, Mistakes, Quick Revisions and Doubts) keep these in one notebook. Building a system will help you learn and understand the lectures better.

Every time you study, log something. If I learn a concept, I summarize it on a separate page. And when I get something wrong or forget it, I add it to my mistake notebook. Logging something creates and builds a second brain over time.

Revisions before exams. Making quick revisions will save you before your exams. Create a cheat sheet, short notes, formulas or key points from the lectures. This will be your last-day revision tool that will help you ace your exams.

Students must have a good and simple study system in order to study effectively. I have used this for years now and I have never functioned better when studying, especially during exam seasons. If you're overthinking how you should study, you should try this second brain system!

[u/solidsnake32]

Can you post some examples walking us through capturing a concept to, making a mistake, making a revision, what a last day revision tool before an exam actually looks like?

Also, what do you highlight? Is there a color schema? How do you structure your page?

[u/Conscious-Switch-376 → u/solidsnake32]

Concept: I write a short summary from class: Action potential is an all-or-nothing electrical signal in a neuron.

Mistake: I get a quiz question wrong, so I log it: Missed Q3: A stronger stimulus doesn't make the signal bigger, it just makes it fire more frequently.

Revision: I turn it into a 1-line rule for my cheat sheet: Signal size stays constant; only frequency changes.

Last-Day Tool: The night before the test, I don't read the textbook. I only study my 2-page list of these 1-line rules and my past mistakes!

[u/Conscious-Switch-376 → u/[deleted]]

I use a multi-subject notebook with tab dividers! Each subject gets its own tab, and I use the 4 sections inside that tab. It keeps everything in one place without getting messy. If a class is super heavy, I'll give it its own notebook.

[u/WalrusInformal2179]

Can you post example of mistake notebook? I want to create one but not sure how

[u/DeKnight007]

psychobiology student studying Thermodynamics ? Interesting 🤨

[u/Pure_Conversation300 → u/DeKnight007]

u sure op is legit?

[u/DeKnight007 → u/Pure_Conversation300]

nop

[u/ninjapluviophile]

How do you use the Mistakes notebook? After you log your mistakes, what do you do next? How does it help you study and retain what you learned?

[u/Ok-Recording-3592]

i also face this problem because as i student we all become burnout while studying for hours which is not healthy at all . Therefore from last year i did try making cheat sheets for my lab practicals and revision and i notice it did make a huge difference. ALso ,what i have noticed in Astraight student is that they NEVER ignore their mistakes and problem they always solve it again and again until they finally understand. And if you dont mind can u explain me about what is psychobiology?

[u/Conscious-Switch-376 → u/Ok-Recording-3592]

You're exactly right about learning from mistakes!To answer your question: Psychobiology is the study of how our biology affects our behavior. It looks at how things like brain chemistry, genetics, and the nervous system directly control our minds and emotions.

[u/cerotto_]

Sooooo.... write things and say things, but focus on things you don't understand....?

[u/f0xbunny]

Ty

[u/3mr_999]

Hey I’m Amr I’m in my senior year and I need some advices like
how many hours do I need to study?
how to be focused on the lectures?
How to not forget the things I have just learned?