STEPS TO BUILDING A POWERFUL CHUCK FOR MATH AND SCIENCE.

1. Work a key problem all the way through on paper. ( You should have the solution to this problem available, either because you've already worked it or because it's a solved problem from your book. But don't loo at the solution unless you absolutely have to!) As you work through this problem, there should be no cheating, skipping steps, or saying, "Yeah, I've got it" before you've fully worked it out. Make sure each step makes sense.

2. Do another repetition of the problem, paying attention to the key processes. If it seems a little odd to work a problem again, keep in mind that you would never learn to play a song on the guitar by playing it only once, or work out by lifting a weight a single time.

3. Take a break. You can study other aspects of the subject if you need to, but then go do something different. Work at your part-time job, study a different subject, or go play basketball. You need to give your diffuse mode time to internalize the problem.

4. Sleep. Before you go to sleep, work the problem again. If you get stuck, listen to the problem. Let your subconscious tell you what to do next.

5. Do another repetition. As soon as you can the next day, work the problem again. you should see that you are able to solve the problem more quickly now. You understanding should be deeper. You may even wonder why you ever had any trouble with it. At this point, you can start lightening up computing each step. Keep your focus on the parts of the problem that are the most difficult for you. This continued focus on the hard stuff is called "Deliberate practice". Although it can sometimes be tiring, it is one of the most important aspects of productive studying. An alternative or supplement at this point is to see whether you can do a similar problem with ease.

6. Add a new problem. Pick another key problem and begin working on it in the same way that you did the first problem. The solution to this problem will become the second chuck in your chucked library. Repeat steps one through five on this new problem. And after you become comfortable with that problem, move on to another. you will be surprised how even just a few solid chucks in your library can greatly enhance your mastery of the material and your ability to solve new problems efficiently.

7. Do "active" repetition. Mentally review key problem steps in your mind while doing something active, such as walking to the library or exercising. You can also use spare minutes to review as you are waiting for a bus, sitting in a passenger seat of a car, or twiddling your thumbs until professor arrives in the classroom. This type of active rehearsal helps strengthen you ability to recall key ideas when you are solving homework problems or taking a test.