Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer best strategy for studying law?

Dear all,

i'm a new photoreader (on tape 5) and am in law school. I would like some help w the best PR strategy possible.

All courses are fully open book exam.

Most course books are essentially looseleaf stacks of legal cases, loosely clustered around a particular subtopic. From each case we need to know (a) what is the law according to this case, (b) what is the legal principle from this case and how do I apply it.

We do not need to memorize facts, we must have a fair degree of mastery of the material to properly apply it during the exam. Meaning, that time flies and it's not smart to rely on the fact that it's open book only. A lot of times when applying a principle (or a section from a statute) there are clarifications and exceptions that come up that we learn during the course. we must apply the principles within the bounds of these clarifications and exceptions. i figure a flow chart and mindmap will greatly help me, however, i would like more help and a more detailed strategy if possible.

In additons (sorry, i know it's a lot, i would greatly appreciate help), my hardest course is in a different format, with a very very dense text book based pretty much fully on a statute. in this course (tax law) we must be able to deftly dive in and out of the income tax act and apply the appropriate rules, and back them up with policy reasons. We have to go through a full tax assessment for our questions on the final. So, what strategy would you recommend for this one?

My exams are in 5 weeks, and I am behind in my reading, would you recommend PR or not at this stage, given my experience level? And please help me come up with a good strategy to tackle all this.

Thank you.

one more thing, do you recommend mind mapping with computer software such as freemind, or on paper?

thanks

Best strategy is to finish the course first. Then apply it to study material. Know how to PhotoRead then use it for textbooks.

When you've learned PhotoReading. Pile, purpose PhotoRead and activate accordingly. Work in short blocks of time activate, learn in layers. Build your mind map with each pass.

Textbook PhotoRead the whole book. Then activate the relevant sections by PhotoReading the 2 chapters before, the core chapter/s and two chapters after. No incubation required move straight into activation (you've PhotoRead the textbook before. Treat each chapter as a book on it's own. That means activate it fully before starting another chapter.

Focus on using what you know. If you don't feel you have time to learn PhotoReading away from your textbooks then don't add to the work load. If you're relatively confident you can and have done the course as instructed but not confident in activation using Superread And Dip or skittering. Or lack confidence in recognising your purpose then. PhotoRead the material daily (all of it) and study using what you know works for you.

Since you are behind be wary of learning something new only so you can procrastinate on applying yourself using the skills and resources you have already developed.

Alex

Thanks a lot for your reply, Alex. I was also wondering, do you recommend mind mapping on computer or by hand on paper? I use a computer program called freemind and i'm experimenting with another program called my mind.

Perfer by hand when studying. it uses more of the physical memory.

Alex

Thank you for your response Alex. I have a bunch of new questions I hope you can help me with.

1. I have condensed notes of the course from 2 years prior, they are great notes and current, but the page numbers do not match up to the textbook. should I photoread and use these notes in my PRing, or will it mess up my ability to find the right page (assuming PR can help me find proper pages)?

2. Post PR: how much total time do you recommend for making mind probing Qs and trigger words(TW)? I use about 5 mins for the chapter, and when I PR the entire book I just remembered TW from memory. How important is it to write down TW?

After I'm done my post-PR TW finding session, how much time between PR sessions should I think about what I PR'd and how much time should I spend asking myself Questions outside of my normal PR and activation sessions?

3. How do you recommend I prepare my materials for the exam, b/c it's fully open book? Traditionally, people bring in the book and other course materials highlighted, tabbed, and filled with stickies. People also make their own condensed notes for the exam as a quick reference.

4. Is it better if I base my mind map fully on my own thoughts, or should I start it off using my instructors course outline, and then add on to that base?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I'd really appreciate your insight once again, and anyone else's insight.

Hello xylitol,

I had the same problem 6 month ago. When I had exams I found out Photoreading. I thought it is my chance, I will pass the exams using this wonderfull system.
The result? Failing the exam, and give up this wonderfull system.
The second time I took the resit and passed with regular reading.
After months I decide to use it again and now I start experience small successes.

But I don't want to say that it's the same in your case. I hope that you have a perfect activation.

But if I was in your situation, I will take one full day photoreading whole books for your exams. Everything, the whole day long, from early morning until night. Of course with breaks.

And then give your mind one day full day incubation.
Use powerfull affirmations in that day: I will pass all the exams, or I can do it, or I am a genius. Or whatever u like.

And then before you activate a chapter, PR the chapter again. And then activate it by highlighting the important things.

Ask all the time questions when your activating, that will improve your concentration.

Don't forget to Review your notes.
One more thing, write down as mutch as possible benefits that you get after mastering the subject or book. It will give you more motivation.

xylitol,
Wish you a good luck with your exams.
Niro
Holland

thanks a lot for your reply.

i have another question. if i PR a ton of stuff, in 20 min sessions with breaks in between of at least 5 mins. will it reduce recall?

I would also appreciate some advice on the above questions from Alex, or anyone.

Thanks.

anyone??

PhotoRead your own notes - yes your mind will sort it out. PhotoReading builds understanding not just memory.

Spend no more than 12 minutes in postviewing if you did less than 90 seconds previewing. If you previewed longer shorten the postview even more. Consider how many pages you are activating when you are doing mind probing and trigger words. Set a reasonable time if you can do 250 pages in 8 minutes then 2 to 3 minutes is enough for a 60 page chapter. There will be fewer trigger words. 5 is enough. Remember your purpose and use the chapter headings and subheading to help you activate the chapter.

If it's an open book exam PhotoRead the book a few times. Do a solid postview of 12 minutes. Know where everything is in the book. Ironically the exam itself becomes activation. You'll probably read the question then jump to the section of the book and Superread And Dip for the answer. Of course the more you activated before the exam and mind mapped the less likely you'll need the book. Remember to take the mind maps with you if you can. Post-its and flags and highlights can be a greater distraction if the information you happen to need is what you didn't activate.

Mind maps - use the instructors outline. The funny thing about exams... to get it right you have to think like the instructor and know what they know so it's easier to follow their lead. Why re-invent the wheel when they show you what they want you to know?

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i have another question. if i PR a ton of stuff, in 20 min sessions with breaks in between of at least 5 mins. will it reduce recall?

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Purpose, it depends on your purpose. And you cannot re-call something that hasn't been called on in the first place. Your activation strengthens the neural pathways for recall.

Alex