Calling all past & current adult students. How do you learn from a textbook?

[moneyworries9]

I've just started studying an accountancy qualification. I left school 14 years ago and haven't picked up a textbook since until now.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice for how to learn/memorise the content of the textbook?

At the moment, I have a big notepad and am reading each paragraph and writing something along the same lines in my notebook. It seems to be working okay but I'm just wondering if re-writing the textbook is an effective way to study or if I'm doing this all wrong. Very grateful for any help & guidance.

Bump

Have you tried Mind Maps?

What exactly is the textbook for? Does it describe methodology, is it problems to solve or something else?

I studied an arts subject so very different to accounting but the way I would use a 'textbook' is to read it, make notes on anything relevant to the specific piece of work i'm doing and also cross reference ideas with other textbooks. They were a good way of locating sources and reading about different ideas for my subject.

I use lots of sticky notes for terms/definitions or formulas I need to remember and place them on the front of the book. I also re write the notes several times into my own words and each time the notes get smaller as I am able to remember more.

I know someone who uses 'spider graphs' which are also useful for her (but not me).

As with all math/formula related revision, repeating questions over and over (even if it's the same one) until you can do it without needing any help from the book is useful!

Usually there are exercises to do once you get to the end of each chapter. Read each exercise, then re-read the relevant bit in the chapter before attempting it. Then check the answers. If you've made an error, then go over the theory again. Then try the question again after a week or two. I found it helpful to use pencil so you can rub out your previous answers and start again.

Keep going over and over the same methods until they become automatic, because they will come up again and again in different ways in other questions too, because they assume you will use prior knowledge.

What level is it? Are you working in an accounts role? If you get stuck, ask someone at work to show you an actual example of something, it is easier to get to grips with it then as it makes more sense in the real world.

I’m studying accounting and have been for 3 years via distance learning! I read a section, highlight key points/do any workings until I understand them and then write down highlighted bits.

To revise I re-read my notes, regularly read pocket note books whilst out & about and do practice questions.

Good luck!

It depends on the style of text book but if it a general reference style text book you need to read and understand what is written then use the footnotes as a guide for further reading.

I studied the strategic level of CIMA on my own because I couldn't take time off to go to class. I did exactly what you're doing, making my own notes longhand, then I did the suggested questions after each chapter, then at the end of it I typed up all my notes and revised them followed by doing past papers. Interestingly that was the only round I got a prize for, so the technique obviously worked for me.

What you do. Colour coding where I can. Diagrams or mind maps where I can. Also drawings help tremendously although not sure what there is to draw in accountancy.