The End of Study Discussion

He does not know the present status, but Dr. Dev (Fictional Name) observed that in his time, most of the toppers of the classes from AIIMS, New Delhi, studying in the library, used to meet at the end of their study period in the library foyer. Sitting on the wooden benches in library foyer they used to discuss what they had studied that day. 

On investigation, it was found that those toppers who used to study in their hostel rooms also used meet at the end of the day (or night in most cases) in a room and discuss what they had studied before. 

The discussion can be on a common topic studied by all the participants or different topics studied separately and each one presenting a different topic or different part of the topic.

This end of the study period discussion is a great study and marks booster. 

Studies have shown that after reading some new material we start to forget it as soon as we stop studying. The rate of loss of memory is maximum in the first 24 hours; with some claiming that we forget 70 to 80 % what we had studied in the first 24 hours itself. Revision of the topics studied by discussion soon after or the next day among our fellow student slows this memory loss.

Saying the study material aloud, speaking it, activates other areas of the brain than just reading it. The material also goes in our brain by another sense organ, i.e. ear on hearing it rather than just thru our eyes by reading it. This leads to better memory and retention in our mind.

What we read or study is not remembered in our brain verbatim, i.e. word to word. Our brain converts the study material in concepts and facts. This is a blessing for students, as this enables the student to write a 2-page answer in the exam of a topic given in 10 pages in the textbook. The discussion makes us revise and express the study material as concepts and facts in our own words which will be useful in writing the answers in exams.

While discussing, if we miss some part of the topic or our concept is not clear, our fellow students may correct us thus increasing our knowledge and accuracy.

If the students are each studying and presenting a different topic, then the other students get to know the topic without studying themselves. This can be useful to cover or revise a large curriculum just before exams.

It is decided beforehand that what topic each of the person in the group has to study and what time they will they meet to discuss it. The individual student knows that he/she has to complete the given topic by the particular time deadline. This enforces discipline and systematic study. This planned, time-bound study automatically increases the student’s performance.

Another aspect of saying the study material aloud in a group is especially useful for preparing for oral exams and viva. Our stage fright gets removed and our verbal communication skills get improved.

For it multiple benefits, such as better retention of memory, better understating of the concepts, sticking to a disciplined study plan, covering a large amount of data in short time and practice for oral and viva exams, a post-study group discussion should be part of the strategy of the smart student.

So whether medico or non-medico, UG or PG, form a study group, plan your topics and start studying and discussing it with like-minded smart students from today itself.

But beware; the study group should be focussed on discussing only the study material. If the discussion turns to non-academic topics such as movies and trending videos, this can be a disaster for the academically oriented student and a great time waster.

 (Based on allegedly true incidents)

— ND

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DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Practice should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost. 

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended only for fun purpose. The author does not promote or recommend any behavior illustrated here or claim it to be useful. Use of the information herein is at you one's own risk. Before trying to emulate or follow anything the reader is well advised to take into account ethical, moral, legal and other considerations. The author recommends that Medical Education should be of the highest ethical and moral level keeping in mind the interest of the patient as foremost and according to MCI and other Board’s norm.