# Self-study method

By [Veresa](https://paragraph.com/@dongdo) · 2021-12-05

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One of the major differences between self-study and face-to-face teaching is that the teacher can repeatedly highlight the key points of the book through oral narration, blackboard writing, PowerPoint aids, etc., with audio and visual stimulation, and prompt students to think in class by asking questions and assigning homework after class to practice what they have learned in time, then provide answers and build feedback. The exams each semester also prompt students to review before the test so they don't forget.

And for self-study, the books generally do not bold sentences or write a sentence three times. (So one of the good things about foreign books is that they are "verbose" and incorporate what needs attention into each chapter, so you can be reminded of it back and forth.) It is easier to skip the thinking stage when studying on your own, and go straight to the answers, thinking you understand, so the practice is not done.

So follow the process taught in the classroom: repeat → sound visual stimulation → ask questions and think → complete the post-class work → provide answers → exam

When reading the book, pay attention to circling (visual stimulation), especially during the second time (repetition), think actively, question each sentence (questioning thinking), repeat it again with your own understanding (sound stimulation), write it down in your notes (visual stimulation), and then put it into your life to test its feasibility (post-class work), and then affirm or revise your previous knowledge (feedback). Finally, periodically review what you have learned until you know it by heart (review exams).

1.  use multiple senses, scenes, images, and sounds to memorize
    
2.  spaced repetition
    
3.  make connections with knowledge you already have
    
4.  ask questions, then look for answers and answer them yourself

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*Originally published on [Veresa](https://paragraph.com/@dongdo/self-study-method)*