Best way to study

System
System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
edited June 18 in AAT student discussion
Hi ya all

Those of you who have read my previous post will know I am way behind with the course but am trying my best to catch up and hopefully be semi-prepared for the June exams.

I find that I am spending too much time writing notes from the study books. I learn best by examples - and the text book has plenty, but has anyone any useful tips on how to keep notes to the minimum. Although the books are mine to keep I write notes as it is easier to carry around and to study whilst on my journey to and from work.

I understand everyone has there own way in which they learn best, but I would like to hear what works for others and about their study techniques.

Mandie x

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Best way to study

    I am also struggling. Since we went back to college after half term I have only been able to attend class once. I am working from the text book as advised by my main tutor who says I shouldn't have any problems. I'm just lookign at the chapter on trial balances and am not getting it. All this despite already having a book keeping qualification in which I did trial balances no problem. Due to ill health I am unsure as to whether I will be able to attend college before the exam. Although I do seem to find that I learn more from reading the text at home than what I learn in class. As a result I will be looking at doing intermediate via distance learning.
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Best way to study

    Take a look at one of the exam papers, then you will see the layout, structure, and the information that is usually presented to you. Then when know questions, this will help to focus your learning (Questions = Keywords, ignore the excess 'padding' in the textbook. Exam paper to textbook, NOT the reverse. Destination/Endtarget.)

    Revision Techniques
    http://www.aat.org.uk/students/display/store4/item1088/
    Exam Tips
    http://www.aat.org.uk/students/display/store4/item1087/
    Support booklets:
    http://www.aat.org.uk/centres/display/store3/item24758
    Past Papers:
    http://www.aat.org.uk/students/display/store4/item298
    Revision Quizzes (courtesy of Jim Riley):
    http://www.tutor2u.net/business/aat/foundation/revision-quizzes.html

    Pace yourself ('little and often' helps memory retention), focus on your deadlines, don't get distracted, make sure everyone in your life knows that you are busy, and think - "Get the exam over with now and I can chill for the summer!". If you are distracted by noises, then take earplugs to your exam...(!!!)

    Visit your local library and flick through a few of these until you find one that feels 'right' to you.
    But don't get too bogged down in reading about studying, focus more on the material you will need in your exam.

    Books on Study techniques:-
    http://forums.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/0/13641.page#67392

    Also, perhaps...
    Complete Relaxation Book..." by James Hewitt (isbn 0-7126-3096-1)
    "Relax and Unwind..." by Jenni Adams (isbn 0-7153-0037-7)
    "Power of Subconscious Mind" by Joseph Murphy (isbn 0-8545-4088-1)

    Reactions to Criticism
    http://forums.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/13648.page#66942

    heading towards the exam
    http://forums.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/13816.page

    And numerous others available - but you have limited time - so I am not going to overwhelm you... :lol: )
    Good luck!

    PS You may find it helpful to study certain sections together. eg Purchase Ledger and Sales Ledger, rather than sequential through the book. Ther are several tutors, MAAT, FMAATs and graduates, etc, on this forum. Try Anne Marie for advice. (Thanks for your support AMH, don't forget the 'cake', please...)

    I also found it helpful in the early days, to take sheet a4, left side sales, right side purchase. Then when arrange the debits and credits, it forms two whole series of 'zig-zag' cross-over patterns, which is more 'visual' (mirror reversed). (if that makes any sense???)

    There is a new layout for exam papers (brought to my attention by Yazi)
    'Dummy' exam paper housestyle (June 2007 onwards?)
    http://www.aat.org.uk/search/results/
    ('dummy housestyle' brings straight up.)

    Any other offers?

    If my words don't make sense, ask Anne Marie. I'm handing in my portfolio on monday...
    Best wishes and good luck.

    NOTE TO DIPLOMA STUDENTS! Error in IAC paper...
    http://forums.aat.org.uk/forums/posts/list/15496.page
  • System
    System Posts: 100,534 🤖 Admin 🤖
    Re:Best way to study

    Just a quickie

    I write all my notes up and put them into flip photo albums.

    I have been doing this for years and find them very easy to do, and small enough to carry round with you. I have been doing this for many years and have ones at work as well.

    I always get comments about them, and know I would be lost without them. The good thing is that I have included photocopies of college handouts, but written notes that I would understand, then when revising instead of having to look in loads of books/handouts I know I have them to hand.

    Not much use as a quick help to revision I know, as they take quite a while to do, but the time spent has been very worthwhile, I have re-learnt information as I have written them out, and will have the information quickly available both to study with and use at work.

    Might be worth doing when you start your next years topics.

    Good luck!!

    Tracy

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