How about some learning with that study session?

A recent article from the New York Times asserts that several generally accepted beliefs about good study habits are actually false. For example, you know that tip about finding, clearing and setting aside a quiet workspace, a constant place where you can “get in your groove” for hours while refining your finance and marketing skills? Might want to think again. The article highlights four tips for strong studying that fly in the face of conventional wisdom:

alternating study environments,

mixing content (i.e., don’t just beat on one topic for several hours at a time),

spacing study sessions (translation: no cramming),

and self-testing – see the article for the thrilling details on all of these! So about alternating study environments…it’s good to know that the 300+ hours that I’ve clocked in the “Individual Quiet Study Space” in A1 apparently wasn’t such a good idea. By mixing it up and moving around campus (or New Haven), my mind can get a better grasp on tough concepts like equity beta calculations, value chain analysis, and how my Global Social Enterprise client should define and market its value proposition. So, I’ve started making a list of the places around town where I'll study in the coming months. If I plan to take a new spot every day…I can do some simple math… looks like I might find myself knocking on Dean Oster’s door, to use her office as a study space, by mid-March. I hope she’s supportive of my new optimal study regime (assuming I’m still studying at that point, given the typical burden of Second-year-itis that can set in by spring break...) . And if I can’t keep the Dean company while I’m brushing up on Advanced Financial Statement Analysis? I might have to go back to A1…but at least I’ll switch seats next time!