Study to Learn: Avoid Superficiality

The key to success is to develop a deep and lasting understanding of course material rather than just a superficial familiarity. How do you know if you have accomplished this? Above all, don't fool yourself. Reading the book several times, seeing how someone else worked a problem, recopying class notes to improve legibility...these are not indicators that you have mastered the material or even become slightly familiar with it. You know when you understand something; you get a good feeling inside. It begins with "Aha", "Oh yeah", "I see it now" and culminates in an excitement of wanting to use the new knowledge or to tell someone else what you know. A sense of satisfaction, of accomplishment, of confidence, of ability to perform, a "feel" for the subject...these are indicators of successful understanding. Please allow yourself the time and opportunity to experience this in your coursework.