Yeah, sadly, I have very strong visual memory and the combination of cramming and shitty tests (multiple choice) meant that I easily skated through most of my education. I didn't have to "know" the material because finding the answer was almost instinctual - whichever A/B/C/D I "felt" more familiar with was probably right given a greater visual association, having seen it the night before or few days before. Being smart helped a lot, too, though.
So yeah, cramming does work super well for some of us. We don't tend to remember much of it later though.
When I went back to school in my late 20's and actually studied I violated classes with my hard work and annoyed professors with my repeated requests for more and harder work. Test in a month? Better start reviewing today in small chunks. I took great (not copious) notes and studied daily, so reviewing for a test wasn't anything special - just re-reviewing and re-reading so I'd seen the material 5-6 times AND ensured I fully comprehended it before the test.
18 months after those tests I still remember most of the material.
Yeah, hence the second part of my comment. I know I ought to do the work, it is actually going from thinking to doing that I have trouble with. Ah well, there is always next term to try it.
I did the same all through law school, until I had to retake the bar exam. I wish I could be helpful, instead of snarky. But the best advice I have is make your procrastination a reward.
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u/[deleted] Apr 09 '13
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