Studying methods

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

Comrades I know this thread won't be as informative but I want to know some studying strategies. I am currently reading Socialism: Utopian and Scientific and want to understand it totally. Just reading it is good but you know if you want to study it in depth you must take notes or highlighting etc. What are some of your ideas.

[Drace]

First would be to make yourself a nice, quiet environment.
I wouldn't be highlighting a book but definitely taking notes.
I repeat the important facts, events, statistics, figures, etc to memorize them.
What I also like to do is after reading each section, is to take a break and go over it in my head and summarize the section.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

Thanks Comrade Drace. I appreciate your suggestion.

[Drace]

No problem. The worse thing you can do while reading a book, especially one that requires deep analysis, is watching TV or something equally distracting.

What you want to do is be on par with the author and his thoughts. If you don't feel that your understanding the point the author is trying to make, I suggest re reading it.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

Oright man, and another question what type of notes. What I do is take notes on each paragraph in my own words. Is that good or not.

[Faust]

A lot of people say that listening music helps them to work. Don't do it. It does distract you, no matter what.

Me, I just read, and read, and read, and read. Until I understand. And then, I argue, and argue some more.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

Thanks Comrade Faust. I need to take notes. I can't just read read and read. I admire people who can do that.

[Faust]

Haha, notes do help.
I learn most from arguing with other socialists. There is so much to learn outside of books.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

That's true, in actuality a couple friends and I are trying to form a study group to study philosophical and marxist works. Most likely, learning would be easier because you interact with others.

[Drace]

Oright man, and another question what type of notes. What I do is take notes on each paragraph in my own words. Is that good or not.

I dunno, I was thinking about this myself.

That method seems too time consuming. And not everything you read is very important either so it doesn't seem very efficient either. What I did was just write the important things down.

And writing in your own words doesn't help you understand, it just demonstrates whether you did understand, so that doesn't seem to be helpful. You might as well re copy the whole book like that.


A lot of people say that listening music helps them to work. Don't do it. It does distract you, no matter what.

A lot of studies show how music helps concentration. It might differ among people, but I'd definitely try it.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

I dunno, I was thinking about this myself.

That method seems too time consuming. And not everything you read is very important either so it doesn't seem very efficient either. What I did was just write the important things down.

And writing in your own words doesn't help you understand, it just demonstrates whether you did understand, so that doesn't seem to be helpful. You might as well re copy the whole book like that.

Oright comrade, I understand. For example how many pages of notes would you take for the manifesto. I recently finished studying that work and in total I took 10 pages of notes. What do you think comrade? To much right?

[Drace]

I haven't read the Manifesto yet. I tried to do so much earlier but I found myself in capable of connecting the words together.
I don't know why but my brain was completely off at my attempt. The same with Kapital and other works by Marx.

It really depends on the quality of notes.

I find analytical thought to be much more valuable than just understanding what Marx is talking about. Because then, it shows that you have understood the text and are able to connect it to reality and develop your own thoughts on it.

Just my opinion though, do what you believe is best.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

Thanks bro. Really, your suggestions are of valuable use. Thanks sincerely.

[*Viva La Revolucion*]

One way to check whether you're taking in the information is by testing yourself - like asking questions at the end of each section. If you can't answer them then you can always go back over the bits you didn't understand.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

One way to check whether you're taking in the information is by testing yourself - like asking questions at the end of each section. If you can't answer them then you can always go back over the bits you didn't understand.

There are some study question in the marxist (dot) org website. I try to use them.

[Drace]

Oh also, I like to talk to myself and think of my self as giving a lecture or participating in an argument.
Say, if I am reading an article on American imperialism, I try to give critical responses to questions like "America is democratic".

Seems silly. I remember a chart which said you only remember like 15% of what you read, 20% of what you hear, and like 90% of what you teach. Or something like that...

but might even help with your speaking skills.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

Interesting, I didn't know that dam man thanks. It'll be very useful.

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

Oh also, I like to talk to myself and think of my self as giving a lecture or participating in an argument.
Say, if I am reading an article on American imperialism, I try to give critical responses to questions like "America is democratic".

Seems silly. I remember a chart which said you only remember like 15% of what you read, 20% of what you hear, and like 90% of what you teach. Or something like that...

but might even help with your speaking skills.


Comrade, one last question. In actuality I am on break from college, and I will be until January 18. As soon as school starts I won't be able to study marxist works due to the fact that I have to study for many exams and do a lot of homework. If I dedicate Saturdays to the study of marxism, do you think it would be useful. Im thinking about 3 hours each week. What do you think?

[Drace]

Found it! Not sure how true this is but it is interesting. 10% of what you read sounds de motivating but much of reading isn't about memorization but rather analysis. And for the things that need to be memorized (history books usually), there are numerous methods for remembering the important info.

10% What we READ
20% What we HEAR
30% What we SEE
50% What we SEE and HEAR
70% What we DISCUSSED with OTHERS
80% What we EXPERIENCED PERSONALLY
95% What we TEACH TO SOMEONE ELSE
If I dedicate Saturdays to the study of marxism, do you think it would be useful. Im thinking about 3 hours each week. What do you think?Well dedicate as much time to it as you can. That's not something I can decide for you. 3 hours seems fine I suppose if you have a lot of other studying to do. You gotta do what you gotta do...

[ReVoLuTiOnArY-BrOtHeR]

Awesome brother. Thanks a lot. I never new these things. No wonder teachers remember a lot of information.

[ZeroNowhere]

Those numbers look far too neat to be the result of an accurate study.